Drinking Water Program Director

Commonwealth of Massachusetts•Boston, MA

About The Position

MassDEP’s Bureau of Water Resources is seeking an experienced manager and environmental professional to serve as Director for the Drinking Water Program (DWP). The Boston DWP team of about 32 staff is responsible for ensuring Massachusetts public water systems provide safe drinking water that meets state and federal standards. MassDEP has primacy for the federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and the Director of the Drinking Water Program (DWP) leads MassDEP in ensuring safe drinking water across the Commonwealth through oversight of over 50 programs related to the enforcement of SDWA provisions. These include regulating water quality, current and emerging contaminants, new source approvals, treatment, distribution, and reporting for Public Water Systems. The Director is responsible for strategic planning and guiding the efforts of program staff to perform essential management, technical and policy functions related to key drinking water topics such as Lead and Copper Rule Revisions, Lead in Schools Expanded Assistance Program, Revised Total Coliform Rule, Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), Cybersecurity, Source Approval, Source and Distribution Protection, Consumer Confidence Reporting, Monitoring Waivers, Safe Drinking Water Act Compliance Database Development and Maintenance and Emerging Contaminants.

Requirements

Applicants must have at least (A) six (6) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management of which (B) at least two (2) years must have been in a supervisory or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.
Substitutions: I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience. II. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience. III. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience. IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of watershed management, drinking water, wastewater, water quality, and water resource management, including relevant laws, regulations, policies, and current practices.
Knowledge of environmental science, environmental health, and public health principles.
Knowledge of program management, monitoring, and evaluation systems.
Knowledge of management principles and practices, including staff supervision, team leadership, and professional development.
Knowledge of project management principles and the ability to oversee multiple complex technical projects simultaneously.
Knowledge of environmental data collection methods and techniques and the ability to analyze and interpret data to inform policy and decision-making.
Knowledge of change management and business process improvement practices.
Knowledge of program policy development, implementation, and evaluation.
Ability to establish program priorities, develop strategies, and manage project prioritization processes.
Ability to coordinate and direct complex projects and ensure successful completion of multiple initiatives.
Ability to design and implement data collection, reporting, evaluation, and communication processes.
Ability to work effectively with senior state and federal officials, regulated entities, and other stakeholders.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, including the ability to interpret laws, regulations, policies, and technical data.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex policies, present information clearly, and respond to inquiries.
Ability to build collaborative teams, mediate conflicts, manage competing priorities, and work both independently and in a team environment.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership and direction for the Drinking Water Program, including planning, prioritization, and implementation of program initiatives.
Manage and supervise a multidisciplinary team of approximately 30 staff in Boston, including Section Chiefs, engineers, and analysts.
Oversee major Drinking Water Program initiatives and regulatory programs, including Lead and Copper Rule Revisions, Lead in Schools Expanded Assistance Program, Revised Total Coliform Rule, PFAS initiatives, cybersecurity, and emerging contaminants.
Direct core program functions including Source Water Approval and Protection, Capacity Development, Sanitary Survey Inspections, Water Quality Monitoring and Reporting, and Public Health Orders and Notices.
Ensure compliance with federal and state drinking water regulations, including requirements under the Safe Drinking Water Act, and oversee the development and maintenance of the Safe Drinking Water Act Compliance Database.
Coordinate programmatic efforts and communications with MassDEP regional offices and Boston program staff to support consistent policy and regulatory implementation.
Supervise, mentor, and support program staff while ensuring programs provide training, technical assistance, and compliance support to Public Water Systems (PWSs).
Oversee program budgeting and financial management, including monitoring expenditures and resource allocation.
Manage and oversee water supply projects, including grant administration, tracking, and reporting.
Maintain and oversee the Drinking Water Program Communication Hub to provide real-time updates, regulatory reminders, training opportunities, and technical and compliance assistance to water suppliers, consultants, regulated entities, and program partners.

Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.
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