The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration consists of a headquarters organization located in Washington, DC, and a unified field organization consisting of ten geographic regions. The organization of, and general spheres of responsibility within, the NHTSA are as follows:
(a) Office of the Administrator--
(1) Administrator.
(i) Represents the Department and is the principal advisor to the Secretary in all matters related to chapters 301, 303, 321, 323, 325, 327, 329 and 331 of Title 49 U.S.C.; 23 U.S.C. chapter 4, except section 409; as each relates to highway safety, sections 153, 154, 158, 161, 163, 164 and 313 of Title 23 U.S.C.; and such other authorities as are delegated by the Secretary of Transportation (49 CFR sections 1.94 and 1.95);
(ii) Establishes NHTSA program policies, objectives, and priorities and directs development of action plans to accomplish the NHTSA mission;
(iii) Directs, controls, and evaluates the organization, program activities, performance of NHTSA staff, program and field offices;
(iv) Approves broad legislative, budgetary, fiscal and program proposals and plans; and
(v) Takes management actions of major significance, such as those relating to changes in basic organization pattern, appointment of key personnel, allocation of resources, and matters of special political or public interest or sensitivity.
(2) Deputy Administrator. Assists the Administrator in discharging responsibilities. Directs and coordinates the Administration's management and operational programs, and related policies and procedures at headquarters and in the field.
(3) [Reserved]
(4) Director, Executive Correspondence. Provides a central facilitative staff that administers an executive correspondence program and maintains policy files for the Administrator and Deputy Administrator, and services and support to committees as designated by the Administrator.
(5) Director, Office of Civil Rights. As principal staff advisor to the Administrator and Deputy Administrator on all matters pertaining to civil rights, acts as Director of Equal Employment Opportunity, Contracts Compliance Officer and Title VI (Civil Rights Act of 1964) Coordinator; assures Administration-wide compliance with related laws, Executive Orders, regulations and policies; and provides assistance to the Office of the Secretary in investigating and adjudicating formal complaints of discrimination.
(6) Director, Governmental Affairs, Policy & Strategic Planning. As the principal advisor to the Administrator and Deputy Administrator on all intergovernmental matters, including communications with Congress, communicates agency policy and coordinates with the Senior Associate Administrators and Chief Counsel on legislative issues affecting the agency. Also, coordinates Agency policy discussions and activities and coordinates with other operating administrations and the Office of Secretary on strategic planning efforts.
(b) Chief Counsel. As chief legal officer, provides legal services for the Administrator and the Administration; prepares litigation for the Administration; effects rulemaking actions; issues subpoenas; and serves as coordinator on legislative affairs.
(c) Senior Associate Administrators--
(1) Senior Associate Administrator for Policy and Operations. As the principal advisor to the Administrator and Deputy Administrator with regard to core administrative and support services, provides direction and internal management and mission support for such activities. Provides executive direction over the Associate Administrator for Planning, Administrative and Financial Management, the Chief Information Officer, the Director of Human Resources, the Director of Executive Correspondence, the Associate Administrator for Communications and Consumer Information, and the Emergency Coordinator.
(2) Senior Associate Administrator for Vehicle Safety. As the principal advisor to the Administrator and Deputy Administrator with regard to rulemaking, enforcement, vehicle safety research and statistics and data analysis, provides direction and internal management and mission support for such activities. Provides executive direction over the Associate Administrator for Rulemaking, the Associate Administrator for Enforcement, the Associate Administrator for the National Center for Statistics and Analysis, and the Associate Administrator for Vehicle Safety Research.
(3) Senior Associate Administrator for Traffic Injury Control. As the principal advisor to the Administrator and Deputy Administrator with regard to programs to reduce traffic injury, provides direction and internal management and mission support for such activities. Provides executive direction over the Associate Administrator for Research and Program Development and the Associate Administrator for Regional Operations and Program Delivery.