Senior Scientific Advisor for Safe Drinking Water Act Programs

Summary

This Scientific or Professional (ST) position is in the Office of Water. About OW.

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 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.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

You must be a U.S. Citizen.

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 ST 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 has education requirements. See Qualifications/Education section.

EPA and non-EPA applicants must submit transcripts/course-listings.

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

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.

Education

Biologist: You must have a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position; OR a combination of education and experience with courses equivalent to a major, as listed.

Physical Scientist: You must have a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics; OR a combination of education and experience with education equivalent to one of the majors listed that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

For information about accreditation requirements, visit EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.

Additional information

Time in grade requirements do not apply to 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.