Summary

This Senior-Level (SL) position is in the Office of Water, Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds. About the Office of Water.

This is an office-centered positionyou must physically report to the duty station stated in this announcement on a regular basis.

Duties

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The Senior Policy Advisor for the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) is responsible for ensuring implementation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) DWH Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) trustee responsibilities and coordinating, as needed, with the Gulf of America Division, Region 4, in coordinating activities for the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council and Region 6.

This position is in the Office of Wetlands Oceans, and Watersheds (OWOW) and reports to the Office Director of OWOW. The Office is responsible for developing policies, strategies, regulations, guidance, and sound, scientifically-defensible criteria, advisories, guidelines, and implementation of complex financial management policies and budgetary frameworks to protect human health and the environment in accordance with federal authorities and statutes.

Specific duties of this position may include, but are not limited to:

- Advising and coordinating with the Office of Water, Office of General Counsel, Office of Finance and Administration and Regions 4 and 6 on the planning, formulation, and direction of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Natural Resource Damage Assessment programs and activities that are related to ecosystem restoration.

- Providing financial, technical, and management oversight on the development and implementation of complex and interdisciplinary restoration plans designed to restore the Gulf Coast ecosystem injured by the DWH oil spill that involves multiple federal, state, and private organizations.

- Reviewing, approving, and signing resolutions that release draft and final restoration plans, supplemental restoration plans, and approving and/or reconciling funding transactions.

- Serving as a technical expert for the implementation of EPA Trustee responsibilities as well as partnering with States and other Federal agencies to identify, select, manage restoration projects, and communicate the results of those projects and activities in order to restore Gulf resources injured by the oil spill.

- Evaluating NRDA programmatic changes related to water quality, aquatic environments, and ecosystem-oriented planning activities, as well as supporting the development of technical guides, handbooks, and instructions in order to provide technical assistance to external parties.

- Overseeing adherence to quality control procedures and requirements relating to technical guidance.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

You must be a U.S. Citizen.

If you are selected, you must complete a one-year probationary period.

The Ethics in Government Act, P.L. 95-521 requires the applicant selected for this position to submit a financial disclosure statement, OGE-278, prior to assuming the SL position, annually, and upon termination of employment.

REAL ID requirements became effective on 05/07/25. If you are selected for this position and plan to use your driver's license or identification card during the onboarding process (i.e., for employment eligibility verification or to obtain your EPA identification card), the document must be a REAL ID-compliant state-issued driver's license or identification card that includes the REAL ID-compliant star marking, or must be an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL). You will receive information about alternative acceptable documents (e.g., passport) prior to onboarding. For more information about REAL ID, see Dept. of Homeland Security and REAL ID FAQs.

This position is designated as High Risk and requires a background investigation. Unless an appropriate background investigation is already on record with the Office of Personnel Management, you must undergo a background investigation. All conditions of the pre-employment security process must be met before an official letter of employment can be issued with a report for duty date.

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Qualifications

We are looking for at least one year of specialized experience related to this position as described below:

To qualify for this SL position, you need to have at least one year of full time experience equivalent to the GS-15 level defined as primarily leading and facilitating the development of policies, strategies, regulations, and/or guidance for the protection of human health and the environment, in accordance with federal authorities and statutes.

You will be evaluated on the mandatory Technical Qualifications listed below. Your descriptions 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.

TQ 1 - Demonstrated experience indeveloping and implementing a highly visible and highly sensitive environmental restoration program, such as the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Natural Resource Damage Assessment.

TQ 2 - Demonstrated experience leading the implementation of environmental regulatory programs (e.g., development of guidance, technical and financial assistance programs, program evaluation, data acquisition and management, etc.).

TQ 3 - Demonstrated experience in communicating effectively with high-level officials in Congress, Federal, and State, tribal or local governments, public interest groups, representatives of industry, and other public and private institutions and/or the general public (any combination) on complex, sensitive policy issues.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Time in grade requirements do not apply to SL/ST positions.

If you are selected, travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid by EPA. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting to work in this position will be your responsibility.

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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.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Join EPA in protecting human health and the environment and enjoy many work life quality options! Working for the EPA offers you a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, 26 days of paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, life insurance, health benefits, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. To learn more about us, visit Life and Careers at EPA.

If you are selected for this position, situational telework may be approved by your supervisor if you meet eligibility requirements, as allowable by agency policy.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.