The position of the Director, Water Protection Division (WPD), is responsible for the management and implementation of the Region’s programs to protect, preserve and improve the quality of water resources in the Mid-Atlantic States. The Director assures the enforcement of federal clean water and safe drinking water laws, provides support for municipal wastewater treatment plants, and takes part in pollution prevention efforts aimed at protecting watersheds and sources of drinking water. The WPD Director administers programs authorized by the Clean Water Act; Safe Drinking Water Act; Marine Protection Research and Sanctuaries Act; and Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments. This includes watershed planning, water body monitoring, permitting, compliance and enforcement activities, and managing grants. The Director recommends to the Regional Administrator (RA) goals, priorities, objectives and policies for these programs.
The Director serves as the senior policy advisor to the Regional Administrator and Deputy Regional Administrator on all clean water and safe drinking water issues in the Region. The Director supports and assists Mid-Atlantic states, localities, and interstate commissions in developing comprehensive environmental programs for achievement of environmental goals and standards pertaining to water resources. The Director oversees and evaluates the effectiveness of states which are authorized to implement federal programs. The division manages continuing environmental program grants which are provided to states and individual project assistance agreements funded through competitive program grants and special appropriations from Congress.
Summary
The position of the Director, Water Protection Division (WPD), is responsible for the management and implementation of the Region’s programs to protect, preserve and improve the quality of water resources in the Mid-Atlantic States. The Director assures the enforcement of federal clean water and safe drinking water laws, provides support for municipal wastewater treatment plants, and takes part in pollution prevention efforts aimed at protecting watersheds and sources of drinking water. The WPD Director administers programs authorized by the Clean Water Act; Safe Drinking Water Act; Marine Protection Research and Sanctuaries Act; and Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments. This includes watershed planning, water body monitoring, permitting, compliance and enforcement activities, and managing grants. The Director recommends to the Regional Administrator (RA) goals, priorities, objectives and policies for these programs.
The Director serves as the senior policy advisor to the Regional Administrator and Deputy Regional Administrator on all clean water and safe drinking water issues in the Region. The Director supports and assists Mid-Atlantic states, localities, and interstate commissions in developing comprehensive environmental programs for achievement of environmental goals and standards pertaining to water resources. The Director oversees and evaluates the effectiveness of states which are authorized to implement federal programs. The division manages continuing environmental program grants which are provided to states and individual project assistance agreements funded through competitive program grants and special appropriations from Congress.
The Director, Water Protection Division, works under the general direction of the Regional Administrator and within broad parameters established by Federal law and Agency policy.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
Plans, organizes, directs and controls the Region’s Water Protection Division, which involves broad responsibility for activities relating to the management of programs authorized under the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act, including water quality planning and standards, water quality compliance and enforcement, non-point source program, municipal facilities construction, public water supply and groundwater protection in Region III:
Program Planning
Plans the development and execution of new or modified rules, regulations, policies, and practices pertaining to Division functions with EPA officials and other interested Federal and non-Federal government officials, as well as representatives of private industry, agricultural groups, environmental organizations and the general public.
Program Organization
Receives input from planning and resources management staffs and determines the allocation and utilization of resources, including financial and manpower, required to accomplish the program within the parameters established by legislation and Agency policy.
Program Direction
Accomplishes or directs the actions involved in redirecting work, establishing priorities, and changing program emphasis.
Program Coordination
Accomplishes or directs the actions involved in coordinating the program with internal and external organizations, determining or recommending actions to be taken.
Program Control
Establishes or directs the establishment of controls to monitor and evaluate the work of the Division’s program.
Program Operations
Directs the day-to-day operation of the program, such as by providing technical and policy guidance to state, local and Regional offices to ensure proper interpretation and consistent application of Federal regulations and statutes at all government levels; and by coordinating activities with state and local governments to maximize the effectiveness of Regional pollution abatement activities.
Program Management
Supervises a large division of employees organized into units headed by subordinate managers and supervisors.
Pre-employment drug testing is required and random testing thereafter.
If you are selected, a pre-employment background investigation is required.
Current or former career Senior Executive Service (SES) employees are not required to address the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs). Unless you are currently serving under a career Senior Executive Service SES appointment, you are eligible for reinstatement into the SES, or have successfully completed a SES Career Development Program approved by OPM, you must submit a narrative statement covering each of the Executive Core Qualifications and Technical Qualifications questions in order to receive consideration for the position. Additional information on the proper preparation of Executive Core Qualification statements is available by going to the Office of Personnel Management's web site at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/reference-materials/guidetosesquals_2012.pdf
When responding to the Mandatory Technical and/or Desirable Qualifications and Executive Core Qualifications, you must clearly show that you possess the experience, knowledge, skills and ability to perform the duties of this position by submitting narrative responses in which you detail your experience in each of the Technical and/or Desirable Qualifications and the Executive Core Qualifications. Your examples should be clear and emphasize your level of responsibilities, scope and complexity of programs managed, program accomplishments with results of your actions, policy initiatives and level of contacts.
Your narrative responses to the Executive Core Qualification statements (ECQs) should not exceed two pages per each ECQ and not more than 10 pages total.
Your narrative responses to the Mandatory Technical and/or Desirable factors should not exceed two pages per each factor.
Qualifications
ES-0340 series: The work of this position is classified in the 0340 series where the qualifications include both general management skills and characteristics that are applicable to all SES positions and technical or program responsibilities specific to this position. Applicants must have substantive general experience which provides a good basic or general knowledge of the principles of organization, management and administration; and substantive specialized (operating administrative or managerial) experience in a type of work or a combination of functions directly related to this position.
Applicants must have one year of experience at a level close to the work of this job that has given you the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform successfully. You will be evaluated on the following Executive Core Qualifications. Please provide a narrative not to exceed two pages per ECQ and not more than 10 pages.
You must be a U.S. citizen.
Additional information
ETHICS: The Ethics in Government Act, PL 95-521 requires the applicant selected for this position to submit a financial disclosure statement, SF-278, prior to assuming the SES position, annually, and upon termination of employment. PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Must complete 1-year SES probation period, if not previously completed. SELECTIVE SERVICE: If you are a male and hired, and if you were born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. DIRECT DEPOSIT: All Federal employees are required by P.L. 104-134 to have federal payments made by Direct Deposit FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: Senior Executives are required to comply with the provisions of the Ethics in Government Act and must submit a financial disclosure statement, SF-278, upon assuming the position, annually, and upon termination of employment. TRAVEL, TRANSPORTATION AND RELOCATION: In accordance with Federal and Agency travel regulations, the candidate selected for this position will not be reimbursed for travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty to this position. TELEWORK/FLEXIPLACE: This position has portable work and may be eligible for episodic telework. BACKGROUND/SECURITY INVESTIGATION: If you are selected, a pre-employment background investigation is required. DRUG TESTING: If you are selected, a pre-employment drug test is required and random testing thereafter. TRAVEL: Position involves occasional travel. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: It is the policy of the Agency to provide equal opportunity in Federal employment for all persons and to prohibit discrimination in employment through a continuing affirmative program. DIVERSITY STATEMENT: EPA values diversity and believes that a range of backgrounds brings a variety of ideas, perspectives and experiences that will foster a productive work environment in which talents are fully utilized.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
A. Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs)- Mandatory -- Note: Failure to address these factors will result in your application being disqualified. ECQ 1 - LEADING CHANGE Involves the ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment. ECQ 2 - LEADING PEOPLE. Involves the ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts. ECQ 3 - RESULTS DRIVEN. Involves the ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks. ECQ 4 - BUSINESS ACUMEN. Involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically. ECQ 5 - BUILDING COALITIONS. Involves the ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals.
B. Technical Qualifications (TQs) -- Mandatory -- Note: Failure to address these factors will result in your application being disqualified. TQ1. Demonstrated experience administering and working with programs authorized under the Clean Water Act (CWA) and Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). TQ2. Demonstrated experience forging relationships and interactions with local, state and federal agencies, environmental and citizens groups, and regulated entities in implementing regulatory and voluntary activities to improve water quality. TQ3. Demonstrated experience communicating technically complex environmental issues both verbally and in writing to a variety of audiences including state, federal and local officials; environmental and non-governmental organizations; industry; public and the regulated community.
C. Desirable Qualifications (DQs) - Optional (Note: Addressing the Desirable Qualifications is optional; however, not addressing them will impact your rating.) THERE ARE NO DESIRABLE QUALIFICATION STATEMENTS.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Current or former career Senior Executive Service (SES) employees, or graduates of a OPM certified SES candidate development program (CDP) are not required to address the Executive Core Qualification factors (ECQs). Although not required, it is strongly encouraged that you address the Mandatory Technical factors (TQs) and the Desirable factors (DQs), if listed, as supplemental statements to your resume. Please limit your responses to no more than 2 pages per each TQ and DQ listed.
If you are not currently serving under a career Senior Executive Service (SES appointment, or are not eligible for reinstatement into the SES, or have not successfully graduated from a SES career development program approved by OPM, you must submit a narrative statement covering each of the Executive Core Qualification factors (ECQs) and the Mandatory Technical Qualification factors (TQs) in order to receive consideration for the position. Addressing the Desirable factors (DQs), if listed, is not required; however, failure to do so will impact your rating score. Additional information on the proper preparation of Executive Core Qualification statements is available by going to the Office of Personnel Management's website at:http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/reference-materials/guidetosesquals_2012.pdf
When responding to the ECQs, TQs, and DQs, you must clearly show that you possess the experience, knowledge, skills and ability to perform the duties of this position by submitting narrative responses in which you detail your experience in each of the ECQs, TQs, and DQs. Your examples should be clear and emphasize your level of responsibilities, scope, and complexityof your programs managed, program accomplishments with results of your actions, policy initiatives and level of contacts. You should limit your narratives to 2 pages per each ECQ, and not more than 10 pages in total. You should limit your narrative responses to the TQs and DQs to 2 pages per each TQ and DQ listed.
The Ethics in Government Act, PL-95-521 requires the applicant selected for this position to submit a financial disclosure statement, SF-278, prior to assuming the SES position, annually, and upon termination of employment.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
You are strongly encouraged to read the entire announcement before you submit your application for this position. You must provide specific examples of your education, experience, training and awards in the manner and order instructed below which are applicable to each: (A) Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs), (B) Technical Qualifications (TQs), and (C) Desirable Qualifications (DQs). Response to the five ECQs and TQs is mandatory. Failure to address the ECQs and TQs will result in your application being disqualified. Addressing the DQs is optional; however, not addressing them will impact your rating. To begin the application process, click the Apply On-line button to the right on this screen, follow the prompts to log-in/register, submit all required documents, and complete the assessment questionnaire. To be considered, you must submit a complete application package by 11:59 PM Eastern time on the closing date of this announcement. All required supporting documents will be collected electronically via the USA Jobs document portfolio feature. If you cannot apply on-line, you must contact the Human Resources Office listed to the right for assistance no later than three business days prior to the closing date of this announcement. You must provide complete application materials by the closing date of this announcement. For detailed instructions to assist you in ensuring your application package is received, go to http://epa.gov/ohr/ezhire/vacancy_requirements.htm.
Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
OHR, Executive Resources Division, Mail Code 3606A
Washington, District of Columbia 20460
United States
Next steps
You can track the progress of your application package via your USAJobs account. You will receive an acknowledgement from USAJOBS that your submission was successful, once we have received your on-line occupational questionnaire, resume, responses to the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs), Technical Qualifications (TQs)and Desirable Qualifications (DQs), and any supporting documentation. You will be notified of the status of your application after we conduct a qualification review of your complete application package. If your application meets the basic qualifications, it will then be forwarded to a three member Rating Panel consisting of SES career members here at EPA for further review. The Rating Panel decides which Best Qualified applicants will be forwarded to the Selecting Official to make a selection. Interviews are arranged through the Selecting Official. If your application is not forwarded to the Rating Panel, you will be notified of the outcome of your application. You may call Ann Hackley, Human Resources Specialist, Executive Resources Division on (202) 564-0520 to get the status of your application.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Current or former career Senior Executive Service (SES) employees, or graduates of a OPM certified SES candidate development program (CDP) are not required to address the Executive Core Qualification factors (ECQs). Although not required, it is strongly encouraged that you address the Mandatory Technical factors (TQs) and the Desirable factors (DQs), if listed, as supplemental statements to your resume. Please limit your responses to no more than 2 pages per each TQ and DQ listed.
If you are not currently serving under a career Senior Executive Service (SES appointment, or are not eligible for reinstatement into the SES, or have not successfully graduated from a SES career development program approved by OPM, you must submit a narrative statement covering each of the Executive Core Qualification factors (ECQs) and the Mandatory Technical Qualification factors (TQs) in order to receive consideration for the position. Addressing the Desirable factors (DQs), if listed, is not required; however, failure to do so will impact your rating score. Additional information on the proper preparation of Executive Core Qualification statements is available by going to the Office of Personnel Management's website at:http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/reference-materials/guidetosesquals_2012.pdf
When responding to the ECQs, TQs, and DQs, you must clearly show that you possess the experience, knowledge, skills and ability to perform the duties of this position by submitting narrative responses in which you detail your experience in each of the ECQs, TQs, and DQs. Your examples should be clear and emphasize your level of responsibilities, scope, and complexityof your programs managed, program accomplishments with results of your actions, policy initiatives and level of contacts. You should limit your narratives to 2 pages per each ECQ, and not more than 10 pages in total. You should limit your narrative responses to the TQs and DQs to 2 pages per each TQ and DQ listed.
The Ethics in Government Act, PL-95-521 requires the applicant selected for this position to submit a financial disclosure statement, SF-278, prior to assuming the SES position, annually, and upon termination of employment.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
You are strongly encouraged to read the entire announcement before you submit your application for this position. You must provide specific examples of your education, experience, training and awards in the manner and order instructed below which are applicable to each: (A) Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs), (B) Technical Qualifications (TQs), and (C) Desirable Qualifications (DQs). Response to the five ECQs and TQs is mandatory. Failure to address the ECQs and TQs will result in your application being disqualified. Addressing the DQs is optional; however, not addressing them will impact your rating. To begin the application process, click the Apply On-line button to the right on this screen, follow the prompts to log-in/register, submit all required documents, and complete the assessment questionnaire. To be considered, you must submit a complete application package by 11:59 PM Eastern time on the closing date of this announcement. All required supporting documents will be collected electronically via the USA Jobs document portfolio feature. If you cannot apply on-line, you must contact the Human Resources Office listed to the right for assistance no later than three business days prior to the closing date of this announcement. You must provide complete application materials by the closing date of this announcement. For detailed instructions to assist you in ensuring your application package is received, go to http://epa.gov/ohr/ezhire/vacancy_requirements.htm.
Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
OHR, Executive Resources Division, Mail Code 3606A
Washington, District of Columbia 20460
United States
Next steps
You can track the progress of your application package via your USAJobs account. You will receive an acknowledgement from USAJOBS that your submission was successful, once we have received your on-line occupational questionnaire, resume, responses to the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs), Technical Qualifications (TQs)and Desirable Qualifications (DQs), and any supporting documentation. You will be notified of the status of your application after we conduct a qualification review of your complete application package. If your application meets the basic qualifications, it will then be forwarded to a three member Rating Panel consisting of SES career members here at EPA for further review. The Rating Panel decides which Best Qualified applicants will be forwarded to the Selecting Official to make a selection. Interviews are arranged through the Selecting Official. If your application is not forwarded to the Rating Panel, you will be notified of the outcome of your application. You may call Ann Hackley, Human Resources Specialist, Executive Resources Division on (202) 564-0520 to get the status of your application.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
