Position Information
Associate Director for Science
Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response
EPA Office of Research and Development
Cincinnati, OH, Durham, NC or Ada, OK
Overview
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Research and Development (ORD), Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response (CESER) is soliciting applications for the position of Associate Director for Science.
CESER develops and applies scientific and engineering solutions, technologies, and cutting-edge innovations to protect and remediate our air, land, and water resources and critical infrastructure challenged by systemic and acute environmental contamination. CESER assists the nation with effective and innovative approaches to safeguarding public water systems and remediating contaminated soil, sediments, urban areas, and groundwater. Contamination sources include those traditionally managed through environmental regulation and emerging environmental stressors, as well as potential threats from terrorism or natural disasters. CESER advances approaches and guidance for sustainable materials management and develops decision support tools for effective environmental and disaster management strategies. CESER has an overall research budget of ~$27 million and a staff of ~260 federal personnel and ~125 non-federal personnel with locations across the United States.
Salary and Benefits
This is a Scientific and Professional (ST) position. The position is a full-time, permanent appointment. The salary range is $183,501-$212,100 per year. Determination of salary is dependent upon qualifications, experience, current salary, and other factors. The selected applicant will be eligible for full benefits, including relocation expenses, health and life insurance, retirement, and vacation and sick leave.
About the Position
EPA needs an outstanding and experienced research scientist or engineer to provide leadership and oversight of a complex, highly diverse, fast-paced technical organization that is staffed by internationally recognized scientists and technical experts, as well as operational and administrative support employees. Reporting to CESER’s Director, the incumbent will provide senior scientific leadership across CESER in the planning, implementation, and management of research, development and technical support efforts related to preventing, mitigating, and controlling pollutions risks that threaten human health and the environment. This research informs and supports regulatory decisions and policy for EPA programs and regions and assists state and local agencies and Tribes.
CESER’s Associate Director for Science (ADS):
Provides guidance to, and oversight of, the research programs that explore risk management alternatives for protecting human health and environmental quality from contaminants in various media.
- Develops and leads an integrated research program that applies systematic investigation of theory, experimentation, or simulation of experiments to environmental risk management research related to characterization of pollutant generation and release and prevention and control of pollution to air, land, and water resources.
- Serves as liaison with prominent scientists around the world to exchange ideas and information and promote mutually beneficial cooperative activities and programs.
- Participates in ORD’s strategic planning process.
- Develops policies, guidance, and other products to aid states, tribes, and local communities in addressing a broad range of science policy issues on drinking water, watershed management, wastewater, pesticides, toxic substances, solid and hazardous wastes, air pollution, and Superfund-related activities.
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This is a Scientific and Professional (ST) position. Scientific and Professional (ST) positions involve the performance of high-level research and development in the physical, biological, or engineering sciences or a closely related field but do not meet the Senior Executive Service (SES) functional criteria. ST positions are characterized by the following features:
- Systematic investigation directed toward discovering, disseminating, and applying new or expanded scientific knowledge; and
- Application of scientific knowledge directed toward creating new or substantially improved products, processes, and techniques.
Eligibility and Qualifications
The applicant must be a U.S. citizen and must meet the educational requirements for a specific ST recruitment or appointment based on the standards of the field of science outlined in the vacancy announcement, including a research degree from an accredited institution of higher learning recognized in the U.S. academic circles as required for that field.
- At least three (3) years of specialized experience in, or closely related to, the field of preventing, mitigation, and controlling pollutions risks that threaten human health and the environment.
- At least one (1) year of this specialized experience must have been in planning and executing difficult programs of national significance or planning and executing specialized programs that show outstanding attainments in the field of research or consultation.
- At least one (1) year of this specialized experience must be at least equivalent to experience at the GS-15 level.
Additionally, the applicant must meet the following Technical Qualifications (TQs):
TQ1. Demonstrated experience in leading environmental research on methods to manage environmental risks, especially in the built environment, and translating results into impactful environmental solutions.
TQ2. Demonstrated experience presenting environmental research and science in a senior capacity to technical and non-technical partners or stakeholders.
TQ3. Demonstrated experience building coalitions with partners and customers to create comprehensive research plans and impactful programs that address their most pressing short- and long-term needs.
How to Apply
Applications should be submitted online via the position listing (once available) on USAJOBS. To be considered, you must submit a complete application package by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the day the announcement closes (Wednesday, September 20, 2023).
Apply on USAJOBS
Contact Information
If you have questions about this position, please contact:
- CESER’s Director, Greg Sayles at sayles.gregory@epa.gov or (513) 305-9984, or
- ORD’s Executive Resources Program Manager, Susan Bright at bright.susan@epa.gov or (513) 417-2149.
Equal Opportunity Employment Policy
EPA is an equal opportunity employer. Selection for positions with the Agency is based solely on merit without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, national origin, political affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, marital or family status or other differences. For more information, visit EPA's EEO website.