Chief Operating Officer for Water Resources
Chief Operating Officer for Water Resources
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
Mountain View, CA
See who U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has hired for this role
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).
Learn more about this agency This job is open to
DutiesThe duty station location will be determined upon final selection.
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 these basic qualification requirements in addition to all executive and technical qualification factors will automatically disqualify an applicant.
The Chief Operating Officer for Water Resources leads the Office of the Chief Operating Officer (OCOO) within the Water Resources Mission Area (WMA) at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in the Department of the Interior. The position reports to the Associate Director for Water Resources (AD). The office is responsible for providing executive leadership to the day-to-day mission execution and budgetary and workforce planning of seven National science, technology, and support organizational units, which include two large and unique National facilities, that are collectively responsible for delivering water resources science products, services, and information for WMA Programs, Water Science Centers, partners, stakeholders, and the public.
Specific Duties
The incumbent carries out the following specific responsibilities:
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.
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.
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.
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
Basic Requirements
Basic Requirements
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Additional information
CURRENT FEDERAL APPLICANTS: If you are a federal employee (non-SES or SES), then you must include your most recent performance appraisal within the last 12 months of your submission to this application. Additionally, you must include your most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) that reflects an appointment (i.e., initial, transfer, reinstatement, and etc.) or pay adjustment.
NON-FEDERAL APPLICANTS: You must include your most recent performance appraisal within the last 12 months of your submission to this application OR a justification stating the reason why this information cannot be provided.
Special Note To All Applicants
Your resume, performance appraisal, SF-50, Executive Core Qualification's (ECQs), and Mandatory Technical Qualification's (MTQs) for this announcement must be received online via the USAJOBS/Application Manager application system by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on closing date of the announcement. ECQs and MTQs must be submitted in the CCAR model format as previously outlined within this vacancy announcement. Email submissions from an applicant will not be accepted. Failure to submit a complete application will eliminate an applicant from further consideration. Applicants must contact the Human Resources Specialist point-of-contact prior to the closing date if assistance is needed to submit an application online.
The applicant selected for this position will be required to file a Financial Disclosure Report, SF-278, and the supplemental form, Confidential Statement of Employment and Financial Interest, DI-278. All forms must be filed within 30 days after the selection for this position.
The sensitivity level of the position requires a successful background investigation of the selectee. Additionally, an enhanced clearance level will be pursued as determined by the agency after the initial review. The incumbent must have the ability to maintain suitability for this position. Prior to appointment, applicants tentatively selected for this position may be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use.
Effective January 1, 2010, 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.
If applicable, travel and relocation expenses will be paid consistent with the Federal Travel Regulations and Departmental policy.
Click here for general eligibility for a permanent change of station (PCS) move.
Click here for Federal Travel Regulations PCS information.
To view FAQ regarding PCS click here.
Senior Executive Service Probationary Period: If you are selected for this position, you will be required to serve a one-year SES probationary period, if one has not previously been completed.
THIS IS A DRUG TESTING DESIGNATED POSITION. In accordance with Executive Order 12564, and under the Department's Drug Free Workplace Program: Applicant(s) tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use and to pass the test prior to appointment. This position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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).
Learn more about this agency This job is open to
- Senior executives
- The public
DutiesThe duty station location will be determined upon final selection.
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 these basic qualification requirements in addition to all executive and technical qualification factors will automatically disqualify an applicant.
The Chief Operating Officer for Water Resources leads the Office of the Chief Operating Officer (OCOO) within the Water Resources Mission Area (WMA) at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in the Department of the Interior. The position reports to the Associate Director for Water Resources (AD). The office is responsible for providing executive leadership to the day-to-day mission execution and budgetary and workforce planning of seven National science, technology, and support organizational units, which include two large and unique National facilities, that are collectively responsible for delivering water resources science products, services, and information for WMA Programs, Water Science Centers, partners, stakeholders, and the public.
Specific Duties
The incumbent carries out the following specific responsibilities:
- Serves as a principal advisor to the AD and other WMA directors to provide overall guidance, strategy, and focus necessary to integrate human capital, fiscal, financial management, business information, property, safety, security, environmental, and procurement for the successful execution of the WMA mission.
- Provides day-to-day executive-level leadership to the science and technology mission execution for Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program; National Water Quality Program; Water Availability and Use Science Program; and Water Resources Research Act Program.
- Oversees and manages a multidisciplinary staff working in science, professional, technical, and administrative positions located in geographically distributed WMA Headquarter offices and several field offices, organized in seven subordinate divisions and offices.
- Administers scientific and technical leadership to implement activities, projects, and functions for coordination of the strategic results measurements for science excellence, science impact, and science leadership.
- Monitors and evaluates operational service efficiency, effectiveness, and customer satisfaction to ensure the WMA is providing effective products, information, and services.
- Oversees the management of WMA enterprise IT infrastructure, services, and solutions, consisting of approximately 7000 systems, and collaborates with the Department of the Interior's Associate Chief Information Officer for the USGS to advocate for and develop enterprise IT strategies.
- 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.
- 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.
- U.S. Citizenship
- You will be subject to a background/suitability investigation/determination.
- Newly appointed SES members must serve a 1-year probationary period
- Public Financial Disclosure (OGE-278 filing within 30 days is required)
- This position requires pre and post-employment drug screening.
- 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.
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
- Leadership Competencies: Conflict Management, Leveraging Diversity, Developing Others, Team Building
- Leadership Competencies: Accountability, Customer Service, Decisiveness, Entrepreneurship, Problem Solving, Technical Credibility
- Leadership Competencies: Financial Management, Human Capital Management, Technology Management
- Leadership Competencies: Partnering, Political Savvy, Influencing/Negotiating
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.
- Broad background in the theories and applications of hydrologic water resources, engineering, and related environmental sciences.
- Knowledge of the current hydrologic techniques, procedures, and technology (e.g., deterministic and probabilistic hydrologic modeling, water quality sampling and laboratory analytical procedures, river and estuary hydraulics, remote sensing, statistical analysis, and related software), and experience with the application of information technology for the delivery of hydrological services to end users.
- Experience in conceiving, directing, and completing major hydrologic and water resources projects and/or research.
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.
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
- Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
- Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Basic Requirements
- Degree: 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.
- Combination of education and experience: education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Basic Requirements
- Degree: physical or natural science, or engineering that included at least 30 semester hours in any combination of courses in hydrology, the physical sciences, geophysics, chemistry, engineering science, soils, mathematics, aquatic biology, atmospheric science, meteorology, geology, oceanography, or the management or conservation of water resources. The course work must have included at least 6 semester hours in calculus (including both differential and integral calculus), and at least 6 semester hours in physics. Calculus and physics, as described above, are requirements for all grade levels.
- Combination of education and experience -- course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Additional information
CURRENT FEDERAL APPLICANTS: If you are a federal employee (non-SES or SES), then you must include your most recent performance appraisal within the last 12 months of your submission to this application. Additionally, you must include your most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) that reflects an appointment (i.e., initial, transfer, reinstatement, and etc.) or pay adjustment.
NON-FEDERAL APPLICANTS: You must include your most recent performance appraisal within the last 12 months of your submission to this application OR a justification stating the reason why this information cannot be provided.
Special Note To All Applicants
Your resume, performance appraisal, SF-50, Executive Core Qualification's (ECQs), and Mandatory Technical Qualification's (MTQs) for this announcement must be received online via the USAJOBS/Application Manager application system by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on closing date of the announcement. ECQs and MTQs must be submitted in the CCAR model format as previously outlined within this vacancy announcement. Email submissions from an applicant will not be accepted. Failure to submit a complete application will eliminate an applicant from further consideration. Applicants must contact the Human Resources Specialist point-of-contact prior to the closing date if assistance is needed to submit an application online.
The applicant selected for this position will be required to file a Financial Disclosure Report, SF-278, and the supplemental form, Confidential Statement of Employment and Financial Interest, DI-278. All forms must be filed within 30 days after the selection for this position.
The sensitivity level of the position requires a successful background investigation of the selectee. Additionally, an enhanced clearance level will be pursued as determined by the agency after the initial review. The incumbent must have the ability to maintain suitability for this position. Prior to appointment, applicants tentatively selected for this position may be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use.
Effective January 1, 2010, 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.
If applicable, travel and relocation expenses will be paid consistent with the Federal Travel Regulations and Departmental policy.
Click here for general eligibility for a permanent change of station (PCS) move.
Click here for Federal Travel Regulations PCS information.
To view FAQ regarding PCS click here.
Senior Executive Service Probationary Period: If you are selected for this position, you will be required to serve a one-year SES probationary period, if one has not previously been completed.
THIS IS A DRUG TESTING DESIGNATED POSITION. In accordance with Executive Order 12564, and under the Department's Drug Free Workplace Program: Applicant(s) tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use and to pass the test prior to appointment. This position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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