Federal Position Descriptions
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Assistant Administrator for Water

Assistant Administrator for Water, Environmental Protection Agency
Responsibility
Management Scope

In fiscal 2015, the assistant administrator of the Office of Water oversaw a budget of $17.328 million.5 The assistant administrator oversees four offices: the Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, the Office of Science and Technology, the Office of Wastewater Management, and the Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds.6

Primary Responsibilities

• Provides agencywide policy, guidance and direction for the agency’s water quality, including drinking water, groundwater, wetlands protection, marine and estuarine protection and other related programs
• Oversees program policy development and evaluation, environmental and pollution source standards development, technical support and evaluation of regional activities as they relate to drinking water and clean water programs
• Oversees the development and implementation of programs for education, technical assistance and technology transfer
• Manages the development of selected demonstration programs, long-term strategic planning and special studies, economic and long-term environmental analysis and development, and implementation of pollution prevention strategies7

• Works on broad or emerging issues in coordination with its program offices and other parts of the EPA8

 

Strategic Goals and Priorities
[Depends on the policy priorities of the administration.]
Requirements

• Understanding of environmental science, particularly water issues, and EPA structure and processes
• Previous government experience and knowledge of the legislative and federal budgeting process
• Effective manager, with track record at a large and diverse organization
• Knowledge in the areas of finance, personnel, planning and evaluation
• Strong relationships with relevant stakeholders, or ability to form them

Competencies

• Strong leader
• Ability to communicate effectively, internally and externally
• Strong coordination and collaboration skills to work extensively across U.S. government agencies and other relevant stakeholders
• Ability to work under high pressure

Past Appointments
  • Peter Silva Silva (2009 to 2011): Policy Advisor, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California; Vice Chairman, California Water Resources Control Board; Board of the Border Environment Cooperation Commission; BECC Deputy General Manager9
  • Benjamin Grumbles (2004 to 2009): Senior Counsel, Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee; Environmental Counsel and Deputy Chief of Staff, Science Committee, House of Representatives; Professor of Environmental Law, George Washington University Law School10
  • G. Tracy Mehan III (2001 to 2003): Director, Office of Great Lakes, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality; Associate Deputy Administrator, EPA; Director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources11
AGENCY

Environmental Protection Agency

Mission: To protect human health and the environment2

COMPENSATION

Level IV $155,500 (5 U.S.C. § 5315)3

REPORTS TO

Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)4

SENATE COMMITTEE

Environment and Public Works

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Footnote
  1. Congress.gov
  2. http://presidentialtransition.org/publications/federal-position-descriptions.php
  3. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (Public Law 115-31, May 5, 2017), contains a provision that continues the freeze on the payable pay rates for certain senior political officials at 2013 levels during calendar year 2017.
  4. https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-organization-chart
  5. https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-02/documents/epa_fy_2016_congressional_justification.pdf
  6. https://lo.bvdep.com/OrgChart.asp?curp=1&LDIBookId=19&LDISectionId=201&LDIOrgId=154865
  7. OPM
  8. https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-office-water
  9. http://waterandwastewaterjobs.com/IndustryNews/NewsDetails.aspx?id=342
  10. http://legacy.azdeq.gov/function/news/2009/download/0622.pdf
  11. http://www.waterworld.com/articles/2003/12/epa-assistant-administrator-for-water-tenders-resignation.html
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