Program Specialist (Special Assistant)

Environmental Protection Agency; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 157,000 - 197,000; Full time

Job summary

Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9, is seeking a Senior Special Assistant to the Regional Administrator. This role plans, directs and executes high‑level policy and program directives and represents the Administrator on cross‑organizational initiatives across the region.

You will coordinate senior‑level meetings and manage long‑term strategies related to environmental issues across the region's states and territories.

Qualifications

• Senior-level strategic planning and program management experience.
• Experience leading cross-organizational teams on environmental issues.

Responsibilities

• Represent the Regional Administrator and lead special projects and cross-organizational teams on environmental issues across the region.
• Coordinate appointment schedules and ensure alignment with RA priorities; limited time on contracts/grants work.

Job description

• Department: Other Agencies and Independent Organizations

This position is in Region 9. About this organization: Region 9 This is an office-centered position--you must physically report to the duty station stated in this announcement on a regular basis.

Key Responsibilities

You will: Serve as a senior special assistant to the Regional Administrator that plans, directs and executes a number of significant policy and/or programmatic-related directives.

Represent the Regional Administrator and lead special projects and cross-organizational teams on behalf of the Regional Administrator on a variety of environmental issues throughout the region's states and territories, including managing long-term strategies, responses to high-profile and controversial issues with significant political, press and/or community interests. Serve as the Senior liaison between the Divisional program offices and the Immediate Office of the RA/DRA.

Coordinate with the Administrative Specialist to ensure that the regional Administrator's appointment schedule for meetings and events is in accordance with the RA's priorities. You will spend less than 25% of your work time on contracts, grants/cooperative agreements, and/or interagency agreements. One or more positions may be filled (in the organization advertised and/or in other organizations), if appropriate to the position.

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, 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 and/or applicable collective bargaining agreement. EPA policy only allows telework to be approved situationally. Situational telework is for work or assignments of specific limited duration on an occasional, emergency, or ad hoc basis.

NOTE: If you are an EPA employee who currently works at a remote work location (i.e., full-time telework), your approval for remote work does not transfer to this position, subject to Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Environmental Protection Agency, Other Agencies and Independent Organizations.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $157236 – $197200/yr.

Is this position remote or telework eligible?

This position is eligible for telework.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-10-12.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.