Other Agencies and Independent Organizations

Director, Air Quality Planning Division

Durham, North Carolina Full time

Director, Air Quality Planning Division

Department: Other Agencies and Independent Organizations

Location(s): Durham, North Carolina

Salary Range: $197201 - $228000 Per Year

Job Summary: This Senior Executive Service (SES) position is in the Office of Air and Radiation, Office of State Air Programs, Air Quality Planning Division. About the Office of Air and Radiation. This is an office-centered position--you must physically report to the duty station stated in this announcement on a regular basis.

Major Duties:

  • The Air Quality Planning Division (AQPD), is located in the Office of State Air Partnerships (OSAP). AQPD coordinates, directs, and supports State/local/Tribal governments' efforts to implement Clean Air Act (CAA) air quality management programs. The Division serves as the national program manager for national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) attainment and maintenance through developing regulations, policies and strategies that are targeted, as appropriate, to local, State, regional, national, and multi-national scale air quality issues. The Division supports a cooperative federalism approach to air quality management, assisting air agencies and other stakeholders on their plans to implement statutory obligations. Specific duties of this position may include, but are not limited to: - Serving as the principal advisor to the Director of the Office of State Air Partnerships for all assigned work areas; - Developing and establishing the overall policies, priorities, and procedures for the Air Quality Planning Division; - Coordinating the development of air quality management strategies with other EPA offices and Federal agencies and collaborating with State/local/Tribal agencies and other key stakeholders in developing successful approaches; - Overseeing the development, assessment, and improvement of management control systems in order to safeguard programs and achieve results while adhering to the Federal Managers Financial Integrity Act; - Ensuring that procurements, contracts, grants, and assistance are managed in accordance with Agency and office policies, regulatory requirements, and budgetary constraints; - Performing the full range of supervisory human resources functions for the Division and subordinate employees. Grow your career for the good of our planet The environmental challenges we face today are urgent. At the Environmental Protection Agency, we need professionals like you to join our team dedicated to safe, clean, and healthy communities. Our agency is built upon a commitment to protect human health and the environment. The work we do here changes the world. That's why there has never been a more crucial moment to be one of the scientists, engineers, community leaders, IT specialists, communicators, administrative professionals, technicians, problem solvers, and innovators united in our mission to protect our land, air, water, and people. Join us. Be EPA. Discover how you can apply your skills to make an impact. Explore careers and learn more about EPA at epa.gov/careers.

Qualifications: The work of this position is classified in the Program Management, 0340 series where the qualifications include both general management skills and characteristics that are applicable to all SES positions and technical or program responsibilities specific to this position. Applicants must have substantive general experience which provides a good basic or general knowledge of the principles of organization, management and administration; and substantive specialized (operating administrative or managerial) experience in a type of work or a combination of functions directly related to this position. All applicants must have one year of specialized experience at a level close to the work of this job that demonstrates the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform in this role. Typically this experience can be found in work within this field or a field that is closely related. As a basic requirement for entry into the Senior Executive Service, applicants must also provide evidence of progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior level management capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under the Executive Core Qualifications and Technical Qualifications listed below. A. Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) - Mandatory for competitive applicants - Failure to address these factors within the required 2-page resume will result in your application being disqualified, unless you are a noncompetitive eligible applicant. ECQ 1 - COMMITMENT TO THE RULE OF LAW AND THE PRINCIPLES OF THE AMERICAN FOUNDING. Involves demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people. ECQ 2 - DRIVING EFFICIENCY. Involves demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades. ECQ 3 - MERIT AND COMPETENCE. Involves demonstrated knowledge, ability, and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. ECQ 4 - LEADING PEOPLE. Involves demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and hold individuals accountable. ECQ 5 - ACHIEVING RESULTS. Involves demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors. Your responses should be clear and concise and show a level of accomplishment and a degree of responsibility. Leadership competencies for each ECQ can be found in OPM's Guide to SES Qualifications. B. Technical Qualifications (TQs) - Mandatory for all applicants - Failure to address these factors within the required 2-page resume will result in your application being disqualified. TQ 1 - Demonstrated experience administering, and leading broad stakeholder collaboration on, programs and policies authorized under the Clean Air Act (CAA), including the development of policies and guidance for state, tribal, and/or local air agencies to direct improvements to air quality.

How to Apply: You are strongly encouraged to read the entire announcement before you submit your application for this position. You must provide specific examples of your education, experience, training and awards in the manner and order instructed below which are applicable to each Executive Core Qualification (ECQ) and Technical Qualification (TQ). You are required to demonstrate your experience with the five ECQs and the TQs described in the Qualifications section. Failure to address the ECQs and TQs within your 2-page resume will result in your application being disqualified. To begin the application process, click the Apply button to the top right on this screen, follow the prompts to log-in/register, submit all required documents, and complete the assessment questionnaire. To be considered, you must submit a complete application package by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the day the announcement closes. As referenced in the Required Documents section, all required supporting documents will be collected electronically via the USAJOBS document portfolio feature. It is recommended that you review your application materials after they have been uploaded to your application to ensure they conform to the requirements stated in the announcement. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your application, please contact the HR Specialist listed on the announcement. If you cannot apply online, you must contact the HR Specialist listed below for assistance no later than two business days prior to the closing date of this announcement. You must provide complete application materials by the day the announcement closes. For detailed instructions to assist you in ensuring your application package is received, go to EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION EPA welcomes applications from persons with disabilities. Through the reasonable accommodation process, we provide persons with disabilities an equal opportunity to enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment that persons without disabilities enjoy. A reasonable accommodation is any change in the work environment or in the way things are customarily done. An accommodation removes workplace barriers and enables an applicant with a disability to have an equal opportunity to participate in the application process, be considered for a position, and, if hired, perform the essential functions of their job. The EPA National Reasonable Accommodation Coordinators will provide assistance to you, the Human Resources Office, and/or the hiring official as needed. For more information, refer to EPA's Reasonable Accommodation website. Below is more detailed information about how to request a reasonable accommodation during the application, selection, and hiring process: If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process (submitting the application or completing the application process), contact the Human Resources Office listed below no later than two business days prior to the closing date of this announcement, and the Human Resources Office will work directly with you. If you are referred to the hiring official for consideration and need an accommodation during the selection process, including the interview, notify the person who contacted you from the hiring official's office. If you do not hear back within three days about your reasonable accommodation request for the selection process, please notify EPA's National Reasonable Accommodation Coordinators via email at disabilityaccommodations@epa.gov. If you are selected and need an accommodation during the hiring process up to orientation, notify the HR Specialist who made the job offer to you. Please note: Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Application Deadline: 2026-03-23