Director, Great Lakes Coastal Science Branch

Environmental Protection Agency•Duluth, MN

7d•Onsite

About The Position

This Senior Executive Service (SES) position is in the Office of the Administrator, Office of Applied Science and Environmental Solutions, Coastal Science Solutions Division, Great Lakes Coastal Science Branch. The Great Lakes Coastal Science Branch (GLCSB) is responsible for conducting place-based research to deliver environmental solutions for EPA and its partners along the coast of the Great Lakes in the United States. GLCSB has a primary focus on freshwater coastal ecology, linking the ecological integrity of receiving waters to watershed effects, and developing indicators and sampling protocols for freshwater ecosystem condition assessments. GLCSB utilizes environmental, social, and public health indicators for assessing and predicting outcomes of contaminant remediation, ecosystem service restoration, and community revitalization. Intrinsic to this branch's mission is the functional resiliency of watersheds and coastal systems to human-mediated flows of chemicals, sediment, and biota (e.g., invasive species). The Great Lakes Coastal Science Branch works with counterparts both internal and external to the agency, including other Federal and nonfederal organizations, relative to branch programs and services. The branch also works closely with EPA Program Offices to deploy models and disseminate data within a corporate information technology architecture.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. Citizen.
Must complete a 1-year SES probationary period, if not previously completed.
Must submit a financial disclosure statement, OGE-278, prior to assuming the SES position, annually, and upon termination of employment.
REAL ID requirements became effective on 05/07/25.
This position is designated as High Risk and requires a background investigation.
Substantive general experience which provides a good basic or general knowledge of the principles of organization, management and administration.
Substantive specialized (operating administrative or managerial) experience in a type of work or a combination of functions directly related to this position.
One year of specialized experience at a level close to the work of this job that demonstrates the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform in this role.
Progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior level management capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under the Executive Core Qualifications and Technical Qualifications.
Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) - Mandatory for competitive applicants - Failure to address these factors within the required 2-page resume will result in your application being disqualified, unless you are a noncompetitive eligible applicant.
ECQ 1 - COMMITMENT TO THE RULE OF LAW AND THE PRINCIPLES OF THE AMERICAN FOUNDING. Involves 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. Involves 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. Involves demonstrated knowledge, ability, and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.
ECQ 4 - LEADING PEOPLE. Involves 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 hold individuals accountable.
ECQ 5 - ACHIEVING RESULTS. Involves demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors. Your responses should be clear and concise and show a level of accomplishment and a degree of responsibility.
Technical Qualifications (TQs) - Mandatory for all applicants - Failure to address these factors within the required 2-page resume will result in your application being disqualified.

Nice To Haves

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.

Responsibilities

Planning, developing, organizing, directing, leading, and implementing the short and long term needs, goals, budgets, policies, priorities, procedures, projects, extramural agreements, and personnel matters for the branch.
Representing the agency on interagency committees, working groups, conferences, seminars, and meetings.
Overseeing the development, assessment, and improvement of management control systems in order to safeguard programs and achieve results while adhering to the Federal Managers Financial Integrity Act.
Providing oversight of and direction for the organization and facility located in Duluth, MN.
Ensuring that procurements, contracts, grants, and assistance are managed in accordance with agency and office policies, regulatory requirements, and budgetary constraints.
Performing the full range of supervisory human resources functions for the branch and subordinate employees.
Demonstrated experience leading and managing a research organization with a multi-disciplinary staff of scientists and support personnel, including experience in leading multi-organizational discussions, and dealing effectively with high level officials in international, federal, state and tribal, and/or local organizations.