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Next week, Pennsylvanians will elect (or re-elect) a Governor. Applicants have stepped forward, and now you’ve been asked to conduct job interviews to determine who will lead Pennsylvania for the next 4 years. Before you decide, it’s important to understand what the job involves. IssuesPA prepared this job description.

POSITION OPENING IN JANUARY 2007: GOVERNOR, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

Pennsylvania’s Governor is the Chief Executive Officer of a $54 billion, 77,000 employee (salaried) diversified government services organization. Applicant must 30 years old or older, a United States citizen and a Pennsylvania resident for at least 7 years. Must be on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Job duties

• Manage and oversee most Pennsylvania state agencies. The Governor:
  • Appoints senior executive and management staff for state agencies. The Pennsylvania Senate approves some appointments.
  • Establishes strategic policy for state agencies and Pennsylvania-affiliated organizations.
  • Issues executive orders for matters that don’t require legislative approval.
• Work closely with the Pennsylvania legislature. The Governor:
  • Proposes new laws for Pennsylvania’s legislature to consider.
  • Approves or rejects laws approved by the legislature.
  • Directs state agencies to implement laws enacted by the legislature.
• Act as Pennsylvania’s chief spokesperson. The Governor:
  • Meets regularly with the media.
  • Represents Pennsylvania’s interests before state, national and international governments.
  • Promotes Pennsylvania’s legislative agenda and government programs.
• Manage crises as needed, such as nuclear accidents, blizzards, floods, prison riots and other emergencies. The Governor:
  • Directs Pennsylvania’s state agencies in crises.
  • Serves as Commander-in-Chief of Pennsylvania’s military forces.
  • Activates Pennsylvania’s National Guard in times of war or invasion or to help civil officials execute Pennsylvania’s laws.
• Plan, prepare and implement Pennsylvania’s state operating budget. The Governor:
  • Establishes spending guidelines for Pennsylvania’s state agencies.
  • Prepares and proposes an annual budget plan for the state legislature to consider, as well as a five-year financial plan.
  • Proposes revenue-raising mechanisms for the legislature to consider, if needed.
  • Negotiates and approves a final state budget annually.
• Plan, prepare and implement Pennsylvania’s state capital budget. The Governor:
  • Identifies priorities and projects requiring long-term financing beyond normal state operating budget parameters.
  • Issues long-term debt, within legislative guidelines, for specific capital projects.
• Appoint or nominate commissioners, board members, and regulators for quasi-independent Pennsylvania state-related agencies, and fill vacancies for statewide elected and appointed administrative offices.
• Officiate and participate in ceremonies, events and other activities.
• The Governor also has discretion to:
  • Forgive fines and forfeitures and grant reprieves.
  • Commute sentences and pardon persons recommended by the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons.
  • Review and sign death warrants.

Skills required

Applicants for Governor should possess:

• An understanding of Pennsylvania, its government, and its unique qualities.
• The ability to identify, attract, and manage highly-skilled executives, specialists and administrators.
• Previous government and/or executive management experience.
• An understanding of negotiation tactics and strategies.
• Communication skills and an understanding of the media.
• An ability to develop and articulate a vision for Pennsylvania’s future.

Salary and benefits

• Four-year contract as determined by voters/shareholders.
• Annual salary of $155,572, plus benefits.
• Use of a home owned by Pennsylvania’s taxpayers with round-the-clock security, staff, an official car and driver and full-time Pennsylvania state police security detail provided.

For more information on the Governor’s official duties, see the Pennsylvania Manual Online at: www.dgs.state.pa.us/pamanual/lib/pamanual/vol_117/sec4_elected_offices.pdf