Associate Director For Water Resources

Summary
Department of the Interior structures its SES positions into categories to determine the minimum pay for each position. This is a Category-3 position. The minimum pay for this position is $191,900. Pay is set based on consideration of the selectee's current salary and other factors.
Routine and situational telework may be approved at the discretion of the supervisor.
Veterans preference does not apply to the Senior Executive Service (SES).
This job is open to

• Senior executives
  Those who meet the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs).
• The public
  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Videos
Duties
The announcement has been extended to March 18, 2024.
As a basic requirement for entry into the SES, each applicant must provide evidence of progressively responsible executive leadership and supervisory experience that is indicative of executive-level management capabilities that are directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under Executive Core Qualifications and Mandatory Technical Qualifications listed below. The ideal candidate will have experience managing employees through subordinate supervisors and have experience hiring, developing, and evaluating employees. Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at or above the GS-14/15 grade level in the federal service or equivalent in the private sector or non-governmental organizations. Failure to meet this basic qualification requirements in addition to all executive and technical qualification factors will automatically disqualify an applicant.
The Associate Director for Water Resources leads the Water Resources Mission Area at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in the Department of the Interior. The position reports to the USGS Director. The office is responsible for providing executive leadership to ensure the quality and scientific integrity of the USGS investigations of the occurrence, quantity, quality, distribution, uses, and movement of surface and ground waters including the development and dissemination of scientific knowledge and understanding of the Nation's Water Resources.
Specific Duties
The incumbent carries out the following specific responsibilities:

1. Oversees the broad program of natural science investigations and research to provide for a fully integrated, real-time data collection network supplemented by remote sensing, analyses, and models based on long-term records, improved water use and demand information, and predictions of future (annual to decadal) Water Resources availability.
2. Provides executive direction and oversight to establish priorities and ensure effective and efficient program planning, management, and execution of the Bureau's nationwide Water Resources programs, including the development of methods and tools, research, and quality assurance.
3. Directs the planning and development of long-term national and international programs to accomplish the bureau's mission pertaining to the delineation, evaluation, and mitigation of Water Resources changes and their impacts on environmental health.
4. Strategizes the development and advancement of long-term national and international Water Resources programs that are executed by approximately 400 Water Resources Mission Area personnel, 28 regionally managed Water Science Centers, and other science centers across the USGS in addition to a wide range of state, university, and private sector partners.
5. Serves a member of the Executive Leadership Team and shares in the planning, direction, and management of the integrated science programs of the USGS including oversight and evaluation of broad natural science programs to ensure the human and fiscal resources, interdisciplinary direction, and bureau-wide coordination.
6. Provides executive-level representation for the USGS with Federal, State, and local governments, the scientific community in the private sector and academic institutions, and to customers and constituent groups.

Applicants who meet the mandatory executive and technical qualifications will be evaluated by a panel of SES members to determine the degree to which they possess each of the listed qualifications. This evaluation will determine which applicants are best qualified. Each candidate's background including experience, education, awards, self-development, and training will be reviewed. This information will be obtained from the application package, including the required narrative statements for the technical and Executive Core Qualifications described in this vacancy.
Additionally, your resume should demonstrate that you have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully fulfill responsibilities inherent in most SES positions such as:

• Directing the work of an organizational unit;
• Ensuring the success of one or more specific major programs or projects;
• Monitoring progress toward strategic organizational goals, evaluating organizational performance and taking action to improve performance; and
• Supervising the work of employees; and exercising important policy-making, policy determining, or other executive functions.

Requirements
Conditions of Employment

1. U.S. Citizenship
2. You will be subject to a background/suitability investigation/determination.
3. Newly appointed SES members must serve a 1-year probationary period
4. Public Financial Disclosure (OGE-278 filing within 30 days is required)
5. This position requires pre and post-employment drug screening.

Additional Information:

• A background investigation is required for this position. It is not a prerequisite to apply, however, the selectee must possess the ability to obtain and maintain a background investigation with a Top Secret clearance as a condition of placement in this position.
• Subject to approval by the Department of the Interior's Executive Resources Board.
• Initial appointments to the career Senior Executive Service must have ECQs certified by an OPM's Qualifications Review Board prior to appointment and you will be required to serve a one year probationary period.
• Employees of the USGS are subject to the provisions of the Title 43, U.S. Code, Section 31(a) and may not according to this legislation and related regulations: (a) have any personal or private interest, direct or indirect, in lands, or mineral wealth of such lands, whose title is in the United States; (b) execute surveys or examinations for private parties or corporations; or (c) have any substantial personal or private interest, direct or indirect, in any private mining or mineral enterprise doing business in the United States, except where specifically authorized by the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey.
• Within 30 days after selection, incumbent of this position will be required to file a Financial Disclosure Report (SF-278) and supplemental form, Confidential Statement of Employment and Financial Interest (DI-278).
• OPM must authorize any employment offers we make to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employees in the executive branch. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the Human Resources Office.

Qualifications
Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ's)- *Required Documentation*
The Office of Personnel Management has identified five executive core qualifications (ECQs). The ECQs define the competencies needed to build a federal corporate culture that drives for results, serves customers, and builds successful teams and coalitions within and outside the organization. The ECQs are required for entry to the Senior Executive Service and are used by many departments and agencies in selection, performance management, and leadership development for management and executive positions. The ECQs were designed to assess executive experience and potential-not technical expertise.
ECQ 1 - LEADING CHANGE: You must have demonstrated an 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: Creativity & Innovation, External Awareness, Flexibility, Resilience, Strategic Thinking, Vision

ECQ 2 - LEADING PEOPLE: You must demonstrate 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: Conflict Management, Leveraging Diversity, Developing Others, Team Building

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: Accountability, Customer Service, Decisiveness, Entrepreneurship, Problem Solving, Technical Credibility

ECQ 4 - BUSINESS ACUMEN: This ECQ involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically.

• Leadership Competencies: Financial Management, Human Capital Management, Technology Management

ECQ 5 - BUILDING COALITIONS: This ECQ 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: Partnering, Political Savvy, Influencing/Negotiating

FUNDAMENTAL COMPETENCIES: The following competencies are the foundation for success in each of the Executive Core Qualifications: Interpersonal Skills, Oral Communication, Integrity/Honesty, Written Communication, Continual Learning, Public Service Motivation
Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs)- *Required Documentation*
MTQs are designed to assess an applicants experience relevant to the specific position requirements. Each MTQ narrative response must 1.) not exceed two pages per narrative statement; 2.) include specific examples of your experience, education, and/or accomplishments; and 3.) address specific challenges, contexts, actions, and results.

1. The ability to apply a broad knowledge of the physical and natural sciences, especially related to investigations and research on Water Resources, in planning integrated, multi-disciplinary science programs, projecting long-term future directions for science initiatives, and consulting with external partners and constituencies on areas of research and the application of this research to decision making.
2. The ability and professional stature to effectively represent the interests and capabilities of USGS science programs, especially Water Resources programs, at the technical and policy level in activities related to program, budget, and collaborative efforts and initiatives.
3. Ability to effectively develop, plan and implement long-term water resource monitoring networks and assessments; cultivate strategic partnerships; coordinate with local, State, Tribal, and Federal resource and emergency managers, communities, and governments; and lead high-level groups of decision makers, scientists and partners to develop policy, strategy and mutual goals to further the Nation's ability to address water resource issues.

Challenge-Context-Action-Result(s) (CCAR) Model.
CCAR Model is outline below. When addressing the ECQs and MTQs, you are strongly recommended to utilize the CCAR Model. Each ECQ or MTQ statement should include more than one example of relevant experience.

• Challenge: Describe a specific problem or goal.
• Context: Talk about the individuals and groups you worked with, and/or the environment in which you worked, to tackle a particular challenge (e.g., clients, co-workers, members of Congress, shrinking budget, low morale).
• Action: Discuss the specific actions you took to address a challenge.
• Result: Give specific examples of the results of your actions. These accomplishments demonstrate the quality and effectiveness of your leadership skills.

Your responses to the ECQs and MTQs will be evaluated based on how clearly and concisely you emphasize your level of responsibilities, the scope and complexity of the programs, activities, or services managed; program accomplishments; policy initiatives undertaken; level of contacts; the sensitivity and criticality of the issues addressed; and the results of actions taken.
You are required to submit separate narrative statements for each ECQ and MTQ to receive consideration for this position. Please see the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section for complete details regarding the page limitation and formatting requirement.
Education
You must meet the basic education requirements for at least one of occupation series (0401, 1301, or 1315) identified below. You are required to submit PROOF as noted in the "Required Documents" section for education.
To qualify under the Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences Series 0401, you must possess:
Basic Requirements
A. Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
OR
B. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
To qualify under the Physical Science Series 1301, you must possess:
Basic Requirements
A. Degree: physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related...