Supervisory Biologist/Physical Scientist/Environmental Engineer

Environmental Protection Agency; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 169,000 - 197,000; Full time

Job summary

Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, DC, seeks a Supervisory Biologist/Physical Scientist/Environmental Engineer to lead a unit within the Office of Water. You will direct activities to ensure compliance with laws, supervise staff, and manage high-visibility Clean Water Act programs while fostering cross-agency collaboration.

The role requires relevant degrees and professional credentials as detailed in the qualifications, with situational telework allowed and a strong emphasis on

Qualifications

• Requires bachelor's or higher degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry or related field; or combination of education and experience.
• Engineering: professional engineering degree or equivalent education/experience in physical/mathematical sciences and engineering applications.
• For Environmental Engineer: must meet at least one of: engineering degree, registration, EIT, or 60 semester hours in related disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and direct unit activities to ensure regulatory compliance and meet customer needs.
• Exercise supervisory responsibilities to empower employees and contribute to mission success.
• Manage high priority, national Clean Water Act programs aligned with agency priorities and pillars.
• Build cooperative relationships and represent the agency to promote priorities and pillars.
• Limit time on contracts, grants/cooperative agreements, and interagency work (under 25%).

Education

Bachelor's or higher in Biological Sciences

Bachelor's or higher in Civil/Environmental Engineering

60 semester hours in physical/applicable sciences (Engineering/Physical Science)

Job description

Supervisory Biologist/Physical Scientist/Environmental Engineer

• Department: Other Agencies and Independent Organizations
• Location: Washington, District of Columbia

This position is in the Office of Water, Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds, Standards and Health Protection Division, Regional/State/Tribal Water Quality Standards Support Branch. About: Office of Water 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: Plan, organize, and direct the unit's activities to ensure legal and regulatory compliance and to meet customer needs. Exercise supervisory responsibilities to foster an environment that empowers employees to participate in and contribute to mission success. Manage high priority, highly visible national Clean Water Act programs consistent with agency priorities and pillars.

Build and establish cooperative relationships and represent the agency in a variety of program areas to strategically promote agency priorities and pillars. 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.

Requirements & Education

Biologist: You must have a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position; OR a combination of education and experience with courses equivalent to a major, as listed.

Environmental Engineer: You must have one of the following: Successful completion of a professional engineering degree at an accredited university or college OR Combination of college level education or training AND technical experience that has furnished you with (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering.

The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: Professional registration as an engineer. Evidence of passing the Engineer-in-Training written test. Successful documented completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences as described by OPM.

Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in engineering technology or in an appropriate professional field and at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance.

Please review the OPM page on specifics about required curriculum and for more information on qualifications, please visit GS-800: All Professional Engineering Positions qualifications.

Physical Scientist: You must have a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics; OR a combination of education and experience with education equivalent to one of the majors listed that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

If you are eligible for consideration, one or more subject matter experts will systematically review your resume to assess the degree to which your background matches the competencies required for successful performance in this position (see the Qualifications section for a list of the critical competencies being evaluated). For information about accreditation requirements, visit Accreditation.

Benefits will not change for current permanent EPA employees. 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 $169279 – $197200/yr.

Is this position remote or telework eligible?

This position is eligible for telework.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-10-19.

Who is eligible to apply?

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