Deputy Director, Office of Civil Enforcement
About This Position
This Senior Executive Service (SES) position is in the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, Office of Civil Enforcement. About the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. This is an office-centered position--you must physically report to the duty station stated in this announcement on a regular basis.
Qualifications
The work of this position is classified in the General Attorney, 0905 series.
Applicants must have a LL.B or J.D. degree from an accredited law school; must be admitted to practice before the highest court of a State, U. S. territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and must maintain active status as a member of the bar of one of these jurisdictions. The incumbent must have significant experience in providing legal advice and counsel at EPA; other federal, state, or local agencies; or in private practice.
All applicants must have one year of specialized experience at a level close to the work of this job that demonstrates the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform in this role. Typically this experience can be found in work within this field or a field that is closely related. As a basic requirement for entry into the Senior Executive Service, applicants must also provide evidence of progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior level management capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under the Executive Core Qualifications and Technical Qualifications listed below.
A. Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) - Mandatory for competitive applicants - Failure to address these factors within the required 2-page resume will result in your application being disqualified, unless you are a noncompetitive eligible applicant. ECQ 1 - COMMITMENT TO THE RULE OF LAW AND THE PRINCIPLES OF THE AMERICAN FOUNDING.
Involves demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people. ECQ 2 - DRIVING EFFICIENCY. Involves demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.
ECQ 3 - MERIT AND COMPETENCE. Involves demonstrated knowledge, ability, and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. ECQ 4 - LEADING PEOPLE. Involves demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture.
This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and hold individuals accountable. ECQ 5 - ACHIEVING RESULTS. Involves demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.
Your responses should be clear and concise and show a level of accomplishment and a degree of responsibility. Leadership competencies for each ECQ can be found in OPM's Guide to SES Qualifications. B. 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 leading and/or managing attorneys and technical staff in complex enforcement, and litigation matters involving federal environmental protection laws, regulations, and/or programs.
Major Duties
The Deputy Director is a senior executive and principal advisor to OECA's Assistant Administrator (AA), Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator (PDAA), Deputy Assistant Administrator (DAA), and the Office of Civil Enforcement (OCE) Director. The Deputy Director leads strategy and operations to deliver consistent, effective civil enforcement of environmental laws under EPA's purview, including the Clean Air Act (CAA), American Innovation and Manufacturing Act (AIM Act), Clean Water Act (CWA), Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The Deputy Director oversees nationally significant civil matters to ensure they are managed, litigated, and resolved in alignment with national policy, collaborating closely with internal EPA partners and the Department of Justice.
The Deputy Director shares full responsibility for supervising and managing OCE and exercises full authority to lead the office in the Director's absence. The specific duties for this position may include, but are not limited to: - Developing and establishing the overall operating policies, priorities, procedures, long range plans and budgets, goals and operations, as well as enforcement policies. - Representing the agency on interagency committees, working groups, conferences, seminars, and meetings. - Directing and participating in the preparation of, and presenting of testimony to the Congress on agency policies and programs in the area of assignment. - Assisting the Director in the review and evaluation of the office's programs, activities, long range plans, resource allocations, intra-and extramural efforts, as well as ensuring compliance with OECA approved plans, agency policies, and Congressional legislation. - Ensuring that extramural resources are managed to maximize the agency's resources. - Overseeing the development, assessment, and improvement of management control systems in order to safeguard programs and achieve results while adhering to the Federal Managers Financial Integrity Act. - Performing the full range of supervisory human resources functions for the office and subordinate employees. Grow your career for the good of our planet The environmental challenges we face today are urgent.
At the Environmental Protection Agency, we need professionals like you to join our team dedicated to safe, clean, and healthy communities. Our agency is built upon a commitment to protect human health and the environment. The work we do here changes the world.
That's why there has never been a more crucial moment to be one of the scientists, engineers, community leaders, IT specialists, communicators, administrative professionals, technicians, problem solvers, and innovators united in our mission to protect our land, air, water, and people. Join us. Be EPA.
Discover how you can apply your skills to make an impact. Explore careers and learn more about EPA at epa.gov/careers.
Conditions of Employment
If you are selected, you must complete a 1-year SES probationary period, if not previously completed. 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 SES 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. #LI-Onsite
Education
You must: (1) possess a J.D.
OR
LL.M. degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university or equivalent apprentice experience as allowed per state law; and (2) be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any state, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia; and (3) be an active member of the bar of any U.S. jurisdiction in good standing.
NOTE: Bar membership and licensure are not required at the time of application, but you must be admitted to the bar and obtain your license before entry on duty. For information about accreditation requirements, visit Accreditation.
How You Will Be Evaluated
We will review your resume and required documents to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you meet basic qualification requirements, your application will be evaluated based on the experience described in your resume with the required Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Technical Qualifications (TQs). It will then be forwarded to a three-member Rating Panel consisting of SES members for further review. The Rating Panel will decide which Best Qualified applicants will be issued to the Selecting Official by the Human Resources Office.
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Additional Information
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. Veterans' preference is not applicable to the Senior Executive Service.
EPA participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that enables participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees. For additional information: E-Verify.
How to Apply
You are strongly encouraged to read the entire announcement before you submit your application for this position.
You must provide specific examples of your education, experience, training and awards in the manner and order instructed below which are applicable to each Executive Core Qualification (ECQ) and Technical Qualification (TQ). You are required to demonstrate your experience with the five ECQs and the TQs described in the Qualifications section. Failure to address the ECQs and TQs within your 2-page resume will result in your application being disqualified.
To begin the application process, click the Apply button to the top right on this screen, follow the prompts to log-in/register, submit all required documents, and complete the assessment questionnaire. To be considered, you must submit a complete application package by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the day the announcement closes. As referenced in the Required Documents section, all required supporting documents will be collected electronically via the USAJOBS document portfolio feature.
It is recommended that you review your application materials after they have been uploaded to your application to ensure they conform to the requirements stated in the announcement. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your application, please contact the HR Specialist listed on the announcement. If you cannot apply online, you must contact the HR Specialist listed below for assistance no later than two business days prior to the closing date of this announcement.
You must provide complete application materials by the day the announcement closes. For detailed instructions to assist you in ensuring your application package is received, go to EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION EPA welcomes applications from persons with disabilities.
Through the reasonable accommodation process, we provide persons with disabilities an equal opportunity to enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment that persons without disabilities enjoy. A reasonable accommodation is any change in the work environment or in the way things are customarily done. An accommodation removes workplace barriers and enables an applicant with a disability to have an equal opportunity to participate in the application process, be considered for a position, and, if hired, perform the essential functions of their job.
The EPA National Reasonable Accommodation Coordinators will provide assistance to you, the Human Resources Office, and/or the hiring official as needed. For more information, refer to EPA's Reasonable Accommodation website. Below is more detailed information about how to request a reasonable accommodation during the application, selection, and hiring process: If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process (submitting the application or completing the application process), contact the Human Resources Office listed below no later than two business days prior to the closing date of this announcement, and the Human Resources Office will work directly with you.
If you are referred to the hiring official for consideration and need an accommodation during the selection process, including the interview, notify the person who contacted you from the hiring official's office. If you do not hear back within three days about your reasonable accommodation request for the selection process, please notify EPA's National Reasonable Accommodation Coordinators via email at [email protected]. If you are selected and need an accommodation during the hiring process up to orientation, notify the HR Specialist who made the job offer to you.
Please
note: Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Required Documents
Documents to be submitted online:
NOTE: You should ensure your social security number, date of birth, and any other personal information are redacted. -- Resume - Required for all applicants - State your experience related to this position as described in the Duties section and Qualifications section. In describing your experience, be clear and specific. We may not make assumptions regarding your experience.
NOTE: Your resume may not exceed 2 pages. If your resume exceeds 2 pages, your application will be disqualified. -- Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) - Required for competitive applicants Address your experience with the ECQs described in the Qualifications section within the limits of your 2-page resume. For more information on ECQs, see OPM's Guide to SES Qualifications. -- Technical Qualifications (TQs) - Required for all applicants Address your experience with the TQs described in the Qualifications section within the limits of your 2-page resume. -- Proof of SES noncompetitive eligibility - Required for noncompetitive applicants - If you are currently serving under a Career SES appointment, are eligible for reinstatement into the SES, or have successfully completed a SES Candidate Development Program approved by OPM, submit one of the following: Certificate of completion from an OPM-approved SES Candidate Development Program (CDP).
This applies only if your ECQs have been approved by an OPM Qualifications Review Board through the SES CDP. SF-50 showing your status as a: current Career SES appointee, former Career SES appointee with career SES reinstatement eligibility, or current or reinstatement eligible Career SES-equivalent executive who is/was employed in a Federal government agency that has an interchange agreement with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) allowing for movement between the agency's SES-equivalent personnel system and the SES. To learn more about submitting documentation, visit Uploading Documents to USAJOBS.