Chief Administrative Officer

Chief Administrative Officer

The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) is responsible for a large portfolio and workforce, and for planning, directing and implementing the full scope of administrative business activities for FEMA. The CAO serves as the principal advisor to the Administrator, Deputy Administrator, and the Associate Administrator and Deputy Associate Administrator for Mission Support, on matters relating to Agency administrative and assistance activities, by providing input on policy issues relevant to FEMA; advising/participating in Agency-wide operations; and engaging in short and long-term planning for the Agency with administrative related activities. The CAO is responsible for the oversight of the functional areas of occupational health, and deployment readiness; energy, environmental, and sustainability management; privacy, records, directives, and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) management, real and personal property management; facilities management and support services; mail management and related programs. In addition, is tasked with providing services that drive organizational productivity, ensures resources are allocated efficiently, and maintains financial integrity and transparency so that FEMA can demonstrate high value to stakeholders, customers, and the taxpayer for every dollar spent. Primary Duties

• Responsible for oversight and coordination of a full range of executive-level managerial responsibilities, to include establishing the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (OCAO) goals and plans, resource needs, allocations, and use; oversight of OCAO component efficacy and support processes; guiding development of organizational policy; coordinating OCAO support activities within and outside of FEMA; and assessing the organizational efficiency, effectiveness and responsiveness of programs to customers.
• Provides direct executive leadership for major programs and projects with agency-wide impact. Provides executive leadership and direction for the following functions: property management; space planning; records management; safety; energy and sustainability; privacy; and other support services.
• Serves as the senior agency official responsible for implementation of laws, Executive Orders, regulations and similar directives for assigned program areas, including serving as Senior Real Property Officer under E.O. 133327 (real property asset management) and serving as the designated Senior Official responsible for E.O. 13423 (environment, energy and transportation).
• Speaks authoritatively in meetings with top FEMA officials, representatives of other government agencies, state and local officials, and other outside groups. Specifically represents FEMA in discussions and negotiations with General Services Administration, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, other branches of Department of Defense, and numerous State officials regarding leased and leasing of property.
• Assures that adequate management controls are in place and effectively employed to prevent waste, fraud, mismanagement and abuse.
• Represents the Agency on various inter- and intra-agency groups and boards to coordinate policy, guidance, procedures and activities. Serves on the Undersecretary of Management's Readiness Support Council as the FEMA representative.
• Develops and defends positions on major issues arising within the office's areas of responsibility. Toward this end, achieves and maintains currency with FEMA programs; extant and proposed policies; planning issues; and responsible OCAO program areas.
• Assesses the impact of Presidential guidance, new legislative requirements, and similar external factors, and in acting to satisfy requirements and improve systems and operations to meet goals and objectives.