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Director, Division of Hydropower Licensing

Department of Energy
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Summary

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is ranked within the top 5 mid-size agencies as a "Best Place to Work" in the Federal government! This Director, Division of Hydropower Licensing position is located in the Office of Energy Projects For more information visit: Office of Energy Projects (OEP) | Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted this week · Apply by 06/29/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 29, 2026
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$151,661 - $221,000 per year
Pay scale & grade
ES 00
Promotion potential
None
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
Yes
Federal service type
This job is in the Senior Executive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
Yes
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
FERC-OEP-ES-26-12972770
Control number
873014100

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Duties

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The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is looking for an experienced senior level executive to serve as the Director, Division of Hydropower Licensing. As a principal advisor to the Director and Deputy Director, Office of Energy Projects, the incumbent serves as the Director of the Division of Hydropower Licensing (Division or DHL) and carries out responsibilities personally or through policy and technical direction provided to DHL's seven branches. The Division makes environmental determinations, prepares environmental documents, and makes recommendations to the Commission, including on whether to license hydropower projects and, if so, what requirements to include in license orders.
The responsibilities of the incumbent include:

  • Sets direction, manages resources and processes, and supports and facilitates the work of Division staff consistent with the goals, objectives, and policies of the Commission and OEP. In doing so, the incumbent is part of a team with the OEP Director and Deputy Director, and other OEP Division Directors to fulfill OEP's mission and carry out substantive and managerial responsibilities.
  • Leads Division staff in a manner that exemplifies and promotes the five leadership behaviors: communication, setting direction, implementation and achievement, fostering and promoting teamwork, and building trust and commitment. Provides leadership and oversees the Division's performance in accomplishing the following human resources responsibilities: selection of employees; assignment of duties; evaluation of performance; development of employees; issuances of awards, promotions, disciplinary, and adverse actions; resolution of conflicts in a positive and constructive manner; and promotion of teamwork. Leads employees to maximize potential and constantly seeks to improve the organization's efficiency, cost effectiveness, and timeliness of performance.
  • Provides policy and technical direction to the Branches within the Division. This involves assigning, reviewing, and approving work products to determine appropriateness of scope and consistency with the broad policy and regulatory objectives of the Commission. Develops and directs work programs, procedures, and standards; makes specific assignments and establishes objectives; and coordinates the work of the Branches in completing various technical assignments.
  • Coordinates, manages, and conducts technical, engineering, and environmental analyses as part of processing applications for preliminary permits, licenses, and small hydropower exemptions of less than 10 MW, including, as needed, the preparation of environmental assessments, environmental impact statements, and orders. Implements the pre-filing process and conducts outreach activities with prospective applicants, agencies, tribes, and the public to explain Commission requirements, facilitate pre-licensing consultation, and ensure sufficient information is developed to meet hydropower requirements. Assesses hydropower project proposals and alternatives and makes recommendations to the Commission on the project that best serves the public interest, which includes an analysis of the developmental and non-developmental uses of the waterway.
  • Coordinates contracting activities related to Commission review of hydropower applications, including environmental impact statements and environmental assessments.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • Subject to a 1-year SES/supervisory probationary period (unless already completed).
  • Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency
  • If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
  • This is not a bargaining unit position.
  • File a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report OGE-278e within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.
  • A background investigation is required. May be subject to pre-employment and random drug tests.
  • You may be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
  • If hired, you may be required to divest certain energy-related securities.
  • Relocation expenses will not be paid.
  • Maximum of 2-page resume.

There are three key documents that contain important information about your rights and obligations. Please read and retain these documents:

Qualifications

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Failure to submit all required documentation by the closing date of this vacancy announcement, including adhering to the maximum two-page resume requirement, will result in removal from consideration. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.

There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs).

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications.

TQ 1: Knowledge of and demonstrated experience interpreting and analyzing the Federal Power Act and other statutes and regulations that apply to the licensing of non-federal hydropower projects.
TQ 2: Demonstrated experience leading staff and working effectively with applicants, local, state, and federal officials, and other stakeholders in the preparation of National Environmental Policy Act environmental documents that analyze proposals to construct, operate, and maintain non-federal hydropower projects.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position.

There are five ECQs:

  • ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding - This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.
  • ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency -This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.
  • ECQ 3: Merit and Competence - This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.
  • ECQ 4: Leading People - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable.
  • ECQ 5: Achieving Results - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.

Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.

Education

There is no education requirement for this position; therefore, transcripts are not required.

Additional information

Duty Station: The duty location of this position is Washington, DC.

Personal Identity Verification: Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S. FERC also participates in the USCIS Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). For more information about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify

Ethics Training: Attend a mandatory ethics training. We are governed by the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) Standards of Conduct, the criminal conflict of interest statutes, and FERC's supplemental ethics regulation, which specifically prohibits FERC employees from holding certain energy-related securities. To comply with these regulations and statutes, divestiture of at least some energy securities is likely to be required after you begin employment. See 5 C.F.R. 2634-41; 18 U.S.C. 201-208; 5 C.F.R. 3401. If selected, you may also be required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of appointment.

Veterans Preference: Veterans' preference is not applicable to the SES.

Mobility: Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES leaders. Individuals selected for SES positions members may be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines, and may be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligation Agreement.

Tiering: The Commission structures its SES positions into categories (i.e. tiers) to determine the pay range for each position. The categories are based on the position scope, breadth, functions, and placement within the structure of organizational levels across the Agency.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Statement: http://www.eeoc.gov/federal/index.cfm

Employment Information Resources - Resource Center: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to

Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx) If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, please call the POC listed below.

OPM must authorize any employment offers made to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employees in the executive branch. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Noncareer SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the Human Resources Office.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

How to Apply:

To apply for this position, you must complete this application and submit any required documents specified in the Required Documents section and submit by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.

To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.

Follow the prompts to select and upload your résumé and/or other required documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the "Include Personal Information" section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.

You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.

It is applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and uploaded, (i.e., resume and other required documents) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application.

Application packages will NOT be accepted via mail. Due to security processes, mail delivery takes approximately 2-3 weeks to process at which time the vacancy announcement will be closed, and no further consideration will be given to additional application packages.

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is an independent agency that regulates the interstate transmission of electricity, natural gas, and oil. FERC also reviews proposals to build liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals and interstate natural gas pipelines as well as licensing hydropower projects.

Our Mission: Economically Efficient, Safe, Reliable, and Secure Energy for Consumers. For more information visit: https://www.ferc.gov/.

Agency contact information

Rebeccah D'Silva
Phone
202-502-6654
Email
rebeccah.d'silva@ferc.gov
Address
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First St NE
Washington, DC 20426
US

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