VPA Program Supervisor

Virginia Department of Environmental Quality; Richmond (VA); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is seeking a Program Supervisor to oversee the Virginia Pollution Abatement permit program, ensuring consistent, technically and legally defensible permits for municipal and industrial wastewater management. Hybrid work and Virginia residency are required.

Responsibilities include staff supervision, guidance delivery, policy development, and reporting. Strong leadership, regulatory knowledge, and communication skills are essential for

Qualifications

• Knowledge and experience in personnel management, program planning and development, program evaluation, resource management and fiscal planning, policy analysis, project management, public speaking and engagement.
• Technical knowledge of scientific or engineering principles related to aquatic ecology, aquatic toxicology, chemistry, environmental engineering, environmental science, marine or estuarine ecology, hydrogeology, hydrology or related fields.
• Thorough knowledge of and demonstrated experience with state and federal water laws and regulations (Clean Water Act, State Water Control Law, DEQ); water quality data handling.

Responsibilities

• Identify problems and needs, set tasks and schedules, allocate staff and resources.
• Provide technical/regulatory guidance or training to water program staff.
• Develop and implement guidance, procedures, policies and regulations; facilitate compliance with environmental regulations.
• Ensure timely reporting on water program activities and manage projects.
• Respond to requests for technical/regulatory assistance from regulated community and public.
• Evaluate programs for effectiveness and conformance to laws.
• Lead and provide technical expertise on duty-specific areas such as wetlands, WQS requirements, stormwater, and water quality planning.
• Communicate issues and status updates clearly to management and stakeholders.

Job description

Job Description

The Department of Environmental Quality's Office of Land Application Programs is seeking a qualified candidate to supervise, plan, administer, and lead the implementation of the Virginia Pollution Abatement (VPA) permit program. The Program Supervisor ensures the delivery of consistent, accurate, and technically and legally defensible VPA individual permits authorizing the management of municipal and industrial wastewater or residuals without a discharge to surface waters. This position is not responsible for permits authorizing land application of biosolids or animal waste. Certification or licensure as a professional soil scientist, nutrient management planner, or onsite sewage system professional is desirable but not required. Please note this position follows a hybrid work schedule to include both in-office and telework. Candidates must be able to work from the assigned work location in Virginia.

Hiring Range: $59,754 - $100,002

Full Time or Part Time: FULL TIME

Job Description

The Department of Environmental Quality's Office of Land Application Programs is seeking a qualified candidate to supervise, plan, administer, and lead the implementation of the Virginia Pollution Abatement (VPA) permit program. The Program Supervisor ensures the delivery of consistent, accurate, and technically and legally defensible VPA individual permits authorizing the management of municipal and industrial wastewater or residuals without a discharge to surface waters. This position is not responsible for permits authorizing land application of biosolids or animal waste. Certification or licensure as a professional soil scientist, nutrient management planner, or onsite sewage system professional is desirable but not required. Please note this position follows a hybrid work schedule to include both in-office and telework. Candidates must be able to work from the assigned work location in Virginia.

Responsibilities

• Identify problems and needs, set work tasks and schedules, and allocate staff and other resources.
• Provide technical/regulatory guidance or training to regional and central office water program staff.
• Develop and implements guidance, procedures, policies and regulations; provide superior customer service to facilitate compliance with environmental regulations and effectively describe Departmental programs and procedures to permittees, project partners and the public.
• Ensure timely quarterly, semi-annual, and annual reporting on assigned water program activities, as well as effective management of any assigned contractual and cooperative projects.
• Respond to requests for technical and regulatory assistance from the regulated community, consultants, and the public for complex projects or enforcement cases.
• Evaluate programs for effectiveness and efficiency and conformance to state/federal laws/regulations.
• The incumbent elevates appropriate issues to management; and clearly and concisely communicates issues and general status updates.
• The incumbent also provides technical team leadership and expertise on duty-specific areas that may include wetlands, Virginia Discharge Elimination System requirements, stormwater, water withdrawals, land application, water quality and supply planning and analysis, water quality monitoring, regulatory compliance and enforcement, sound engineering and ecological practices, and pollution prevention approaches.
• Evaluates programs for effectiveness and efficiency and conformance to state/federal laws/regulations.
• Additional knowledge, skills and abilities are specified in the Employee Performance Profile (EPP) Core Responsibilities and may include Geographic Information Systems (GIS); data management; QA/QC principles and techniques; interpretation of environmental assessments; field sampling/surveys; plan review; surface water modeling techniques; water quality modeling; interpretation of hydrogeologic information such as well cuttings, cores, geophysical logs; and technical writing.

Qualifications

• Knowledge and experience in personnel management, program planning and development, program evaluation, resource management and fiscal planning, policy analysis, project management, public speaking and engagement.
• Technical knowledge of scientific or engineering principles related to one or more of the following: aquatic ecology, aquatic toxicology, chemistry, environmental engineering, environmental science, marine or estuarine ecology, hydrogeology, hydrology or related fields.
• Thorough knowledge of and demonstrated experience with one or more of the following: state and federal water laws and regulations (to include the technical and legal requirements of the Clean Water Act, State Water Control Law, and DEQ); water quality or quantity data collection, management, and analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop others.
• Demonstrated experience in effective communication, both verbally and in writing, with various levels of stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience with computer systems and software to include Microsoft Office products, data analysis, and statistics.
• Experience with state and federal public participation guidelines.
• Demonstrated experience in developing, evaluating or implementing procedures and/or guidance; and abilities in workflow/business process management.
• Demonstrated ability to respond to problems by identifying issues and proposing alternative solutions, seeking to correct the underlying causes of problems rather than the symptoms.
• Strong analytical skills, organizational skills, negotiation skills, facilitation skills, and communication and interpersonal skills.
• Must be able to work with multiple stakeholders as necessary to resolve issues while being efficient, transparent, fair and consistent.
• Combination of education and/or training with major coursework in engineering, environmental science, natural and physical science, or related field.
• This position may require you to operate a state owned or leased vehicle. Therefore, a valid driver's license is required.
• Other special licenses, registration, or certification such as stormwater review, wetland delineation, or incident management may be specified in specific position responsibilities.

About Us

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is the primary environmental permitting agency in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is responsible for administering laws and regulations related to air quality, water quality, water supply, renewable energy, and land protection. Through the dedication and work of over 800 employees across six regional offices and the Central Office in Richmond, DEQ issues permits, conducts monitoring and inspections, and enforces the law.