Environmental Engineer

Environmental Protection Agency•Washington, DC

9d•Onsite

About The Position

This supervisory position is in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Water, Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds, Standards and Health Protection Division, Regional/State/Tribal Water Quality Standards Support Branch. It is office-centered, requiring regular physical reporting to the duty station listed in the announcement. The position manages high-priority, highly visible national Clean Water Act programs and represents the agency in relevant program areas. Less than 25% of work time will be spent on contracts, grants or cooperative agreements, and/or interagency agreements. The incumbent plans, organizes, and directs unit activities to ensure legal and regulatory compliance and meet customer needs; supervises employees; and develops cooperative relationships to advance agency priorities. The role requires specialized experience leading or overseeing development of water quality standards, regulations, and policy under the Clean Water Act; providing technical assistance to Regional Offices, states, and tribes; and establishing or monitoring team performance measures. A one-year supervisory or managerial probationary period applies to selected candidates who have not already completed it. New EPA supervisors must complete all elements of the EPA Successful Leaders Program.

Requirements

Meet time-in-grade requirements no later than 30 calendar days after the announcement closing date.
Complete a background investigation because the position is designated High Risk, unless an appropriate investigation is already on record with the Office of Personnel Management.
If selected, complete a one-year supervisory or managerial probationary period, unless already completed.
Upon initial appointment to an EPA supervisory or managerial position, complete all elements of the EPA Successful Leaders Program.
Submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure form within 30 days of the first day of employment and annually thereafter if selected.
For GS-15, have one year of full-time specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-14 level, including leading or overseeing development of Clean Water Act water quality standards, regulations, and policy; providing technical assistance to Regional Offices, states, and tribes; and establishing and/or monitoring team performance measures.
Demonstrate competencies in Biological Science; Administration and Management; Organizational Development; Program/Project Management/Evaluation; Supervisory and Leadership Judgment; Organizational Awareness; Strategic Thinking; Leadership; Oral Communication; Problem Solving; and Environmental Laws and Regulations.
Biologist education: bachelor’s or higher degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or a related discipline appropriate to the position, or an acceptable combination of education and experience with equivalent coursework.
Environmental Engineer education: a professional engineering degree, or an acceptable combination of college education or training and technical experience meeting the specified engineering knowledge requirements and one of the listed qualification pathways.
Physical Scientist education: bachelor’s or higher degree in physical science, engineering, or mathematics including 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, or an equivalent combination of education and experience including the specified coursework.

Responsibilities

Plan, organize, and direct the unit’s activities to ensure legal and regulatory compliance and meet customer needs.
Exercise supervisory responsibilities and foster an environment that enables employees to participate in and contribute to mission success.
Manage high-priority, highly visible national Clean Water Act programs consistent with agency priorities and pillars.
Build and establish cooperative relationships and represent the agency in program areas to strategically promote agency priorities and pillars.
Lead or oversee development of water quality standards, regulations, and policy under the Clean Water Act.
Provide technical assistance to Regional Offices, states, and tribes regarding water quality standard regulatory requirements.
Establish and/or monitor performance measures to assess a team’s effectiveness, efficiency, and progress.