EPA Starting The Spanish Inquisition

The office of environmental justice. You can now be prosecuted for emitting EPA pollutant CO2 in a minority neighborhood. Gun running to Mexico pays time and a half.

h/t to Marc Morano

Job Title: Director, Office of Environmental Justice

Agency:Environmental Protection Agency

Job Announcement Number:EPA-SES-2012-0038

SALARY RANGE:	$119,554.00 to $179,700.00 / Per Year
OPEN PERIOD:	Thursday, May 31, 2012 to Monday, July 02, 2012
SERIES & GRADE:	ES-0340/0905-00
POSITION INFORMATION:	Full-time – Permanent
DUTY LOCATIONS:	1 vacancy(s) in the following locations: Washington, DC, USView Map
WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED:	Any U.S. citizen may apply.

JOB SUMMARY:

Earth Day is every day at EPA! Come help us protect the environment! Our diverse workforce connects to more than just a career-we share a common passion to promote a cleaner, healthier environment. Discover how exciting safeguarding our natural resources and protecting human health can be. We consistently rank as one of the top Federal agencies in which to work, with great benefits and work flexibilities. Find yourself at EPA. See more about us here: http://www.epa.gov.

This is a Senior Executive Service (SES) position located in the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA).  We are recruiting for the position of Director, Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ), located in Washington, DC.

The Director, Office of Environmental Justice,  reports to the Assistant Administrator, the Associate Assistant Administrator and the Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, and is responsible for overseeing the coordination of the Agency’s Assistant Administrators’ (AA’s) and Regional Administrators’ (RA’s) Program and Regional Offices on Environmental Justice (EJ) issues and policy development in accordance with Plan EJ 2014, existing environmental laws and their implementing regulations, as well as Executive Order 12898, “Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations”.  The Director, OEJ, also serves as the liaison for the Agency with other Federal Departments and Agencies, and provides high level strategic advice to OECA’s Assistant Administrator (AA), Associate Assistant Administrator (AAA) and Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator (PDAA) on environmental justice issues.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• You must be a U.S. citizen.

---

DUTIES:

Back to top

As the Director, Office of Environmental Justice, the incumbent will be expected to perform the following duties and responsibilities:

1.  Provide strategic advice to the Administrator and Deputy Administrator, thru the Assistant Administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance and/or the Associate Assistant Administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance on environmental justice issues.  Represent the Agency in coordinating and providing technical assistance between headquarters and regional components, state and local governments, private industry, academic institutions, non-governmental or grass roots organizations in addressing both broad and site-specific environmental justice issues.

2.  Develop Agency policies concerning Plan EJ 2014 and the integration of environmental justice considerations into the decision-making processes.  Work with the Office of General Counsel, Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations, and all EPA program offices to review and evaluate environmental justice considerations in standard setting, risk assessments, legal and other analyses.  The incumbent will work with all programs to assess opportunities to integrate environmental justice considerations in all programs including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), grants, permitting, smart growth and civil rights work.

3.  Provide direction and control mechanisms to assure the Agency’s implementation of Plan EJ 2014.  Supervise and track milestones and deadlines of all environmental justice programs; ensure they are consistent with the Adminstrator’s environmental and management goals; coordinate closely with the Associate Assistant Administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance to support the implementation of Plan EJ 2014, tools, programs and initiatives.  Directs programs; assures the establishment of realistic program and management objectives, completion dates, and evaluation methods.  Directs actions, redirects work, changes priorities and shift program emphasis to support the Agency’s environmental justice work.

4.  Establishes and maintains strong working relationships with Agency program officials, other state and local government agencies, and other stakeholders in the development of environmental justice programs and policies.  At the direction of the Assistant Administrator, Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator or Associate Assistant Administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, the incumbent represents the Agency at the White House or before Congressional or interagency representatives.

5.  Manages and administers the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council, serving or delegating such authority as appropriate as the Agency’s Designated Federal Official, and ensuring that the Council abides by all Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) requirements.

---

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Back to top

You must have one year of specialized experience at a level close to the work of this job that has given you the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform. Typically we could find this experience in work within this field or a field that is closely related. As a basic requirement for entry into the SES, applicants must 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 Technical Qualifications and Executive Core Qualifications listed below. You will be evaluated on the following Executive Core Qualifications. Please provide a narrative not to exceed two pages per ECQ and not more than 10 pages.

ES-0340 series: You must have substantive general experience which provides knowledge of the principles of organization, management, and administration; and substantive (operating, administrative, or managerial) experience in a type of work, or a combination of functions directly related to this position.

ES-0905 series:  The General Attorney series has a positive educational requirement.  To qualify for this job series, applicants must possess a law degree accredited by the American Bar Association and be a member in good standing of a recognized bar association of any state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

1. If you are selected, a pre-employment background check is required. 2. Pre-employment drug testing is required and random testing thereafter. 3. You must be a U.S. citizen.
Current or former career Senior Executive Service (SES) employees are not required to address the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs). Unless you are currently serving under a career Senior Executive Service SES appointment, you are eligible for reinstatement into the SES, or have successfully completed a SES Career Development Program approved by OPM, you must submit a narrative statement covering each of the Executive Core Qualifications and Technical Qualifications questions in order to receive consideration for the position. Additional information on the proper preparation of Executive Core Qualification statements is available by going to the Office of Personnel Management’s web site at http://www.opm.gov/ses/references/SES_Quals_Guide_2006.pdf. When responding to the Mandatory Technical and/or Desirable Qualifications and Executive Core Qualifications, you must clearly show that you possess the experience, knowledge, skills and ability to perform the duties of this position by submitting narrative responses in which you detail your experience in each of the Technical and/or Desirable Qualifications and the Executive Core Qualifications. Your examples should be clear and emphasize your level of responsibilities, scope and complexity of programs managed, program accomplishments with results of your actions, policy initiatives and level of contacts. You should limit your narrative to two pages per Executive Core Qualifications, and not more than 10 pages total. Technical Mandatory and/or Desirable factors should be limited to no more than two pages for each factor. The Ethics in Government Act, PL 95-521 requires the applicant selected for this position to submit a financial disclosure statement, SF-278, prior to assuming the SES position, annually, and upon termination of employment.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

You must provide specific examples of your education, experience, training and awards in the manner and order instructed below which are applicable to each: (A) Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs), (B) Technical Qualifications (TQs), and (C) Desirable Qualifications (DQs). Response to the five ECQs and TQs is mandatory. Failure to address the ECQs and the TQs will result in your application being disqualified. Addressing the DQs is optional; however, not addressing them will impact your rating. All five ECQs must be addressed in a supplemental statement of your application. Your response should be clear and concise and show a level of accomplishment and a degree of responsibility. In addition, your responses should highlight your experience, training, and achievements in conjunction with the resume that you provide. Additional information on the ECQs is available at http://www.opm.gov/ses/handbook.html. Applicants are encouraged to follow the Challenge, Context, Action, and Result model outlined in the guide. You will be evaluated on the following: Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs), Mandatory Technical Qualifications (TQs), and any Desirable Qualifications (DQs). Failure to address the ECQ and TQ factors will result in your application being disqualified for further consideration. Addressing the DQs are optional, however, failure to do so will impact your rating score.

A. Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs)- MandatoryECQ 1 – LEADING CHANGE This core qualification involves the ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment. Leadership Competencies: 1. Creativity and Innovation: Develops new insights into situations; questions conventional approaches; encourages new ideas and innovations; designs and implements new or cutting edge programs/processes. 2. External Awareness: Understands and keeps up-to-date on local, national, and international policies and trends that affect the organization and shape stakeholders’ views; is aware of the organization’s impact on the external environment. 3. Flexibility: Is open to change and new information; rapidly adapts to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles. 4. Resilience: Deals effectively with pressure; remains optimistic and persistent, even under adversity. Recovers quickly from setbacks. 5. Strategic Thinking: Formulates objectives and priorities, and implements plans consistent with the long-term interests of the organization in a global environment. Capitalizes on opportunities and manages risks. 6. Vision: Takes a long-term view and builds a shared vision with others; acts as a catalyst for organizational change. Influences others to translate vision into action. ECQ 2 – LEADING PEOPLE.This core qualification involves the ability to lead people toward meeting the organization’s vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts. Leadership Competencies: 1. Conflict Management: Encourages creative tension and differences of opinions. Anticipates and takes steps to prevent counter-productive confrontations. Manages and resolves conflicts and disagreements in a constructive manner. 2. Leveraging Diversity: Fosters an inclusive workplace where diversity and individual differences are valued and leveraged to achieve the vision and mission of the organization. 3. Developing Others (New): Develops the ability of others to perform and contribute to the organization by providing ongoing feedback and by providing opportunities to learn through formal and informal methods. 4. Team Building: Inspires and fosters team commitment, spirit, pride, and trust. Facilitates cooperation and motivates team members to accomplish group goals. ECQ 3 – RESULTS DRIVEN.This core qualification involves the ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks. Leadership Competencies: 1. Accountability: Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Determines objectives, sets priorities, and delegates work. Accepts responsibility for mistakes. Complies with established control systems and rules. 2. Customer Service: Anticipates and meets the needs of both internal and external customers. Delivers high-quality products and services; is committed to continuous improvement. 3. Decisiveness: Makes well-informed, effective, and timely decisions, even when data are limited or solutions produce unpleasant consequences; perceives the impact and implications of decisions. 4. Entrepreneurship: Positions the organization for future success by identifying new opportunities; builds the organization by developing or improving products or services. Takes calculated risks to accomplish organizational objectives. 5. Problem Solving: Identifies and analyzes problems; weighs relevance and accuracy of information; generates and evaluates alternative solutions; makes recommendations. 6. Technical Credibility: Understands and appropriately applies principles, procedures, requirements, regulations, and policies related to specialized expertise. ECQ 4 – BUSINESS ACUMEN. This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically.Leadership Competencies: 1. Financial Management: Understands the organization’s financial processes. Prepares, justifies, and administers the program budget. Oversees procurement and contracting to achieve desired results. Monitors expenditures and uses cost-benefit thinking to set priorities. 2. Human Capital Management: Builds and manages workforce based on organizational goals, budget considerations, and staffing needs. Ensures that employees are appropriately recruited, selected, appraised, and rewarded; takes action to address performance problems. Manages a multi-sector workforce and a variety of work situations. 3. Technology Management: Keeps up-to-date on technological developments. Makes effective use of technology to achieve results. Ensures access to and security of technology systems. ECQ 5 – BUILDING COALITIONS.This core qualification involves the ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals. Leadership Competencies: 1. Partnering: Develops networks and builds alliances; collaborates across boundaries to build strategic relationships and achieve common goals. 2. Political Savvy: Identifies the internal and external politics that impact the work of the organization. Perceives organizational and political reality and acts accordingly. 3. Influencing/Negotiating: Persuades others; builds consensus through give and take; gains cooperation from others to obtain information and accomplish goals. Fundamental Competencies These competencies are the foundation for success in each of the Executive Core Qualifications. Competencies: 1. Interpersonal Skills: Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations. 2. Oral Communication: Makes clear and convincing oral presentations. Listens effectively; clarifies information as needed. 3. Integrity/Honesty: Behaves in an honest, fair, and ethical manner. Shows consistency in words and actions. Models high standards of ethics. 4. Written Communication: Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience. 5. Continual Learning: Assesses and recognizes own strengths and weaknesses; pursues self-development. 6. Public Service Motivation: Shows a commitment to serve the public. Ensures that actions meet public needs; aligns organizational objectives and practices with public interests.

B. Technical Qualifications (TQs) — Mandatory (Note: Failure to address these factors will result in your application being disqualified.) Narrative responses to the Technical Qualifications should not be more than two pages for each. All TQs must be addressed in a supplemental statement of your application.

TQ1. Demonstrated experience in dealing effectively with high-level officials or their equivalent; in Congress; federal, state or local governments, public interest, community, or youth groups; academia or K-12 schools; industry and/or the general public to further the dialog of addressing complex multi-faceted legal or policy issues specific to community based or environmental justice issues.

TQ2. Demonstrated experience in working with environmental or other laws, regulations, policies or executive orders; and in alternative dispute resolutions as they relate to community and local environmental and/or public health issues.

TQ3. Demonstrated experience in managing and dealing effectively with and overseeing the activities of a multi-disciplinary staff including programmatic, human and financial resources, grants management and legally related functions.

C. Desirable Qualifications (DQs) – Optional (Note: Addressing the Desirable Qualifications is optional; however, not addressing them will impact your rating.)Narrative responses to the Desirable Qualifications should not be more than two pages for each. All DQs must be addressed in a supplemental statement of your application.

DQ1. Demonstrated experience in communicating complex and politically sensitive environmental and community based policy issues orally and in writing to a variety of stakeholders including community member and youth groups, particularly in areas related to reducing pollution burdens in low income and minority areas.

DQ2. Demostrated experience in facilitating constructive coordination, planning and problem solving approaches with multiple parties, including federal, state, local and/or community representatives with often conflicting interests.

USAJOBS – Search Jobs