Senior Scientific Advisor for Safe Drinking Water Act Programs

Salary: $197,201.00 to $228,000.00 Per Year

This Scientific or Professional (ST) position is in the Office of Water. About OW. This is an office-centered position--you must physically report to the duty station stated in this announcement on a regular basis.

Major duties

The Office of Water (OW) serves as the National Program Lead and provides Agency-wide policy, guidance and direction for the Agency's water quality, drinking water, groundwater wetlands protection, marine and estuarine protection, and other water related programs. OW is responsible for directing, establishing and implementing all efforts within the Agency to protect the public from contaminants found in source waters or distribution systems and thought to be harmful to human health. These public health protection activities include: Conducting source water assessment and protection programs; Promulgating new or revised, scientifically sound and risk-based National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWRs); Developing and conducting training, technical assistance, and financial assistance programs to enhance public water systems' capacity to comply with existing and new regulations; Overseeing the sound implementation of the Safe Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund and Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act programs to support investment in the nation's drinking water infrastructure; Conducting underground injection control programs; Nationally implementing NPDWRs through state and tribal drinking water programs and policies to protect safe drinking water from natural, accidental or intentional threats, as well as developing and administering multiple drinking water grant programs, protecting sources of drinking water, and directing and conducting drinking water research and development on health effects, risk assessments, treatment technologies, and analytical methods to support Safe Drinking Water Act activities. The incumbent serves as the Senior Scientific Advisor for Safe Drinking Water Act Programs to OW senior leadership and leads coordinated time-critical research designed to improve the Agency's response in the planning, implementation, and management of our nation's water quality in support of the Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act, Federal Water Research Pollution Control Act, and the Rivers and Harbors Act. The incumbent also promotes coordination with the agency research and science programs engaged in water activities. The incumbent's leadership and participation in high-level, interagency research efforts support the complex issues that are at the intersection of environment, public health, agriculture, energy, national security and economy. The incumbent's focus specifically supports ensuring the safety of the Nation's drinking water supplies, protecting the public from contaminants found in source waters or distribution systems and thought to be harmful to human health. Specific duties of the position include, but are not limited to: Advising OW senior leadership on scientific and research initiatives related to protecting sources of drinking water and major research and development issues related to drinking water and wastewater safety and security threats. Directing and conducting drinking water research and development on health effects, risk assessment, treatment technologies, and analytical methods to support Safe Drinking Water Act activities. Providing science-based research recommendations to ensure that Agency drinking water programs are consistent with senior leadership's environmental and management goals. Gathering, planning, conducting, and analyzing current data and trends to address any deficiencies and identifying needed improvements of drinking water and wastewater management processes and systems. Establishing and maintaining working relationships with prominent scientists in order to exchange ideas and information and to promote mutually beneficial activities and programs related to priority water health and security threats. Leading and participating in task forces, committees, and panels that address emerging wastewater, drinking water, and water security issues.

Qualifications

In addition to the educational requirements, we are looking for: At least 3 years of specialized experience in, or closely related to, the field of national drinking water quality assessment and mitigation, including addressing issues related to our nation's drinking water and wastewater systems, programs, processes, safety and policy; and At least 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; and At least 1 year of the specialized experience must be at least equivalent to experience at GS-15 level. We will review your resume and required documents to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements.