Water Supply and Water Resources Division Director

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As director of the Water Supply and Water Resources Division (WSWRD), you will:

• Work with a $23 million budget (including salaries) and 46 Principal Investigators
• Have access to resources to pursue innovative projects
• Collaborate with the world’s foremost authorities on the science, study, and application of risk management research
• Be the public voice for our Water research
• Investigate emerging environmental problems and the science needed to solve those problems
• Facilitate the implementation of research projects
• Monitor research results
• Plan and lead activities and events

Salary Range: This appointment is offered at a highly competitive, market-based salary: $150,930.00–$200,000.00 USD per year, depending on qualifications, experience, and other factors.

Application Period: Job Announcement coming soon. Watch here for information regarding opening and closing dates!

Position Information: This full-time appointment is renewable after a five-year term.

Duty Location: Cincinnati, Ohio

Who May Be Considered: Applications will be accepted from U.S. citizens and noncitizens, as allowed by appropriations and statute.

Using your valuable experience, you will direct an interdisciplinary research program in water resources and supply, enhance coordination of water research within and outside of EPA, and communicate the impact of the research to EPA regulators, the scientific community, and the public.

The Exciting Details

The innovative Water research program includes:

• Sustainable water resource management
• Control of chemicals and microbial contaminants in drinking water
• Control of wet weather flow pollution
• Watershed management

You will have substantial hands-on involvement and participation in the scientific research of the division. Your key responsibilities will be to:

• Provide leadership in water resources and supply technology as you head a research program integrated with activities of the respective ORD laboratories or centers, and serve as a spokesperson for that program
• Assess needs, define goals, and develop long- and short-range program plans and projects
• Establish the organizational structure of the division; delegate authority and responsibility
• Allocate dollar and manpower resources within broad budgetary limitations
• Establish the optimal intramural vs. extramural (contract and grant effort) balance
• Review and evaluate progress and performance of these activities, and take independent corrective actions as necessary
• Coordinate division activities with representatives of foreign, state, and municipal governments, and with other federal agencies, industry, academia, and private organizations
• Represent EPA at conferences, in personal discussions, during field visits, and in other cooperative meetings that pertain to assigned program areas

See the full Position Description (PDF) (3 pp, 21 KB)

The Water Supply and Water Resources Division (WSWRD) plans, coordinates, and conducts a national and international program to address several major areas. WSWRD has the responsibility for a research program to help prepare the primary and secondary regulations for drinking water. This program integrates chemistry, engineering, microbiology, and cost analysis to provide effective, reliable, and cost-effective techniques (source water protection, acquisition, treatment, distribution, and residual management) for assuring the delivery of safe drinking water. WSWRD also has the responsibility for developing technology and strategies for protecting and restoring impaired waterways focusing on water quality stressors from agricultural and rural storm water runoff, combined sewer overflows, urban storm water and sanitary sewer overflows, and wastewater treatment plants. The goal is to reduce the risks of chemically and microbiologically induced public health and aquatic habitat effects from these sources. WSWRD also investigates and evaluates environmental restoration strategies and technologies and addresses problems associated with deteriorating water and wastewater infrastructure systems.

WSWRD is organized into four research areas:

Urban Watershed Management - Urban Watershed Management is the technological approach of managing the storm water runoff generated from rainfall in an urban environment. In undeveloped and undisturbed environment, rainfall is naturally filtered and absorbed by its environment. In an urban setting, with typical development of many impervious surfaces, storm water transports pollutants to receiving waters.

Treatment Technology Evaluation - Research in Treatment Technology Evaluation (TTE) is focused on several key problems that face the potable water industry today. These include the formation and removal of disinfection byproducts of both ozonation DBPs and chlorination DBPs, the removal of pathogenic protozoa, such as Cryptosporidia and Giardia, and corrosion control. Branch staff also engage in collaboratorive research with utilities, academic institutions, and consultants. Branch scientists provide technical support to the Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, EPA regional offices, and state governments.

Microbial Contaminants Control - Microbial Contaminants Control (MCC) risk management research is responsible for developing techniques to detect, physically remove, inactivate or otherwise control microbial contaminants (pathogenic viruses, bacteria, and protozoa) in drinking water and water bodies impaired due to fecal contamination. Studies are carried out at the bench, pilot, and field-scale. Research is almost entirely in-house.

Water Quality Management - Water Quality Management staff conduct timely research and provide user-friendly information and guidance for small and decentralized systems. Research encompasses the entire water cycle as it affects small and decentralized systems. The research focuses on source water protection, drinking water treatment, water quality in distribution systems, wastewater collection, treatment and disposal, and water quality issues as they are impacted by residual disposal and discharge.