Environmental / Government

Chief Information Officer Full-time

This Senior Executive Service (SES) position is in the Office of Finance and Administration, Office of the Chief Information Officer. About OFA.

This is an office-centered position-you must physically report to one of the duty stations stated in this announcement on a regular basis (location TBD after candidate selected).

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Senior executives

Individuals looking for an executive-level job and who meet the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs).

Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens

Duties

This position is located within the Office of Finance and Administration, leading the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO). The Chief Information Officer (CIO) serves as the highest-ranking official in the agency for information technology/information management (IT/IM), strategic technological infrastructure, and artificial intelligence (AI) implementation. These agency-wide initiatives are vital to EPA’s ability to execute statutory responsibilities to protect public health and the environment.

As the Chief Information Officer, the incumbent provides executive leadership to ensure a high level of organizational performance. The CIO will inspire a multidisciplinary team to move OCIO into the future by fostering innovation, sustaining a highly secure operating environment and pushing appropriate boundaries to help EPA meet its mission of protecting human health and the environment. The CIO is responsible for creating a unified IT/IM and AI vision and mission, and for leading OCIO strategic planning and performance accountability functions, including those associated with annual performance reports, strategic reviews, quarterly performance reports, organizational assessments, and continuous improvement work.

Specific duties of the position include, but are not limited to:

  • Serving as the EPA’s Chief Information Officer, the incumbent will represent and advocate for the agency in high-level Federal government-wide forums, including White House functions. This includes providing guidance to senior leadership that fundamentally shapes agency-wide policies and practices, and networking with key officials from Congress, other Federal agencies, state and local governments, and the private sector, along with preparing and delivering speeches to further stakeholder understanding of and support for EPA’s information programs.
  • Planning, developing, influencing, directing, and implementing major, agency-wide programs. This includes evaluating the technical status of existing systems, analyzing trends in modern infrastructure, recommending efficiency initiatives based on long-term organizational goals, and directing office actions on emerging challenges with national impact.
  • Assessing technical needs, defining agency-wide goals, developing program plans, establishing OCIO’s organizational structure, and establishing overall IT/IM operating policies, priorities, and procedures. This includes designing long- and short-range projects, strategically allocating financial and human capital resources within budgetary limits, determining the optimum balance between intramural and extramural (contract and grant effort), and maintaining accountability for progress and performance of all IT/IM conducted or directed activities.
  • Serving as EPA’s Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer (CAIO), with executive responsibility over governance, risk management, and strategic deployment of artificial intelligence across all agency systems, software architecture, and IT initiatives so that they securely advance the agency’s mission.
  • Coordinating OCIO activities and data-sharing with internal and external stakeholders, including representatives of foreign, State and municipal governments, other Federal agencies, industry, academia, and private organizations.
  • Supervising a multidisciplinary team of about 300 federal employees and over 400 contractors. The incumbent will supervise career senior executives, managers, and supervisors in support of a geographically dispersed agency of more than 12,000 employees.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

You must be a U.S. Citizen.

If you are selected, you must complete a 1-year SES probationary period, if not previously completed.

The Ethics in Government Act, P.L. 95-521, requires the applicant selected for this position to submit a financial disclosure statement, OGE-278, prior to assuming the SES position, annually, and upon termination of employment.

REAL ID requirements became effective on 05/07/25. If you are selected for this position and plan to use your driver’s license or identification card during the onboarding process (i.e., for employment eligibility verification or to obtain your EPA identification card), the document must be a REAL ID-compliant state-issued driver’s license or identification card that includes the REAL ID-compliant star marking, or must be an Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL). You will receive information about alternative acceptable documents (e.g., passport) prior to onboarding. For more information about REAL ID, see Dept. of Homeland Security and REAL ID FAQs.

This position is designated as High Risk and requires a background investigation. Unless an appropriate background investigation is already on record with the Office of Personnel Management, you must undergo a background investigation. All conditions of the pre-employment security process must be met before an official letter of employment can be issued with a report for duty date.

You will be required to obtain and maintain a top-secret/sensitive compartmented information security clearance.

Pre-employment drug testing is required and random testing thereafter.

Qualifications

The work of this position is classified in the Information Technology Management, 2210 series. Applicants must have experience managing, supervising, leading, administering, developing, delivering, and/or supporting information technology systems and services.

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 leading complex enterprise-wide technology initiatives resulting in enhanced mission performance, such as directing the modernization and integration of complex systems, lifecycle and acquisition planning, or enhanced customer experience.

TQ 2 – Demonstrated experience advising senior leadership on emerging business trends and/or issues, and overseeing programmatic response, including developing an innovative approach, ensuring ease of customer integration, and implementation of programmatic response.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Veterans’ preference is not applicable to the Senior Executive Service.

EPA participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that enables participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees. For additional information: E-Verify.

This position is designated as SES General. The PLUM Act of 2022 requires the U.S. Office of Personnel Management to host a public-facing website with information on “policy and supporting positions” for the sitting Administration and each subsequent Administration. Consistent with historical reporting in the Plum Book, information on this position will be reported on the PLUM reporting website, including agency, component, location of the position, employee name, title, appointment type, pay plan, grade or level of pay (if applicable), and tenure and expiration date (if applicable). It is not possible to decline being listed on the website if appointed to this position.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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.

Join EPA in protecting human health and the environment and enjoy many work life quality options! Working for the EPA offers you a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, 26 days of paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, life insurance, health benefits, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. To learn more about us, visit Life and Careers at EPA.

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.

A recruitment incentive may be offered to the selected candidate if applicable criteria are met. If you are selected and accept a recruitment incentive, you must sign/date a written service agreement in which you commit to complete a specified period of employment with the agency.

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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

We will review your resume and required documents to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you meet basic qualification requirements, your application will be evaluated based on the experience described in your resume with the required Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Technical Qualifications (TQs). It will then be forwarded to a three-member Rating Panel consisting of SES members for further review. The Rating Panel will decide which Best Qualified applicants will be issued to the Selecting Official by the Human Resources Office.

Required Documents

Documents to be submitted online:

NOTE: You should ensure your social security number, date of birth, and any other personal information are redacted.
– Resume – Required for all applicants – State your experience related to this position as described in the Duties section and Qualifications section. In describing your experience, be clear and specific. We may not make assumptions regarding your experience. NOTE: Your resume may not exceed 2 pages. If your resume exceeds 2 pages, your application will be disqualified.
-Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) – Required for competitive applicants

  • Address your experience with the ECQS described in the Qualifications section within the limits of your 2-page resume.
  • For more information on ECQs, see OPM’s Guide to SES Qualifications.

– Technical Qualifications (TQs) – Required for all applicants

  • Address your experience with the TQs described in the Qualifications section within the limits of your 2-page resume.

– Proof of SES noncompetitive eligibility – Required for noncompetitive applicants – If you are currently serving under a Career SES appointment, are eligible for reinstatement into the SES, or have successfully completed a SES Candidate Development Program approved by OPM, submit one of the following:

  • Certification of completion from an OPM-approved SES Candidate Development Program (CDP). This applies only if your ECQs have been approved by an OPM Qualifications Review Board through the SES CDP.
  • SF-50 showing your status as a:
    • current Career SES appointee,
    • former Career SES appointee with Career SES reinstatement eligibility, or
    • current or reinstatement eligible Career SES-equivalent executive who is/was employed in a Federal government agency that has an interchange agreement with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) allowing for movement between the agency’s SES-equivalent personnel system and the SES.

To learn more about submitting documentation, visit Uploading Documents to USAJOBS.

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 .
  • 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.

Agency contact information

Taylor Heise
Phone
919-541-2859
Email

Address
Office of Finance and Administration
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20460
US

Next steps

It is your responsibility to check your USAJOBS account for application status information. You can track the progress of your application via your USAJOBS account by clicking the Track This Application link. Your USAJOBS application status will appear in your profile if your application was received successfully; if your submission was not received, the application status will show as unavailable. After the announcement closes, the Human Resources Office will conduct a review of your application package. If your application is complete and you meet basic qualification requirements, it will be forwarded to a three-member Rating Panel consisting of SES members for further review of your 2-page resume, particularly your described experience with the ECQs and TQs. The Rating Panel will decide which Best Qualified applicants will be referred to the Selecting Official by the Human Resources Office. Competitive candidates referred for consideration will be contacted to schedule a structured interview. Additional interviews and/or assessments may follow. If you are selected, you will be contacted personally by the Human Resources Office posting this announcement. Your application status will change in USAJOBS when updates are available for each step of the process.

NOTE: We may verify all information you provide in your resume and questionnaire responses through reference and/or background check, and/or verification of your education. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempt to conceal information may disqualify you for employment consideration.

Overview

Accepting applications
Location
1 vacancy in the following locations:
Washington, DC
Durham, NC
No matching locations found.
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—If you are selected, travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will be paid by EPA according to applicable rules.
Salary
$197,201 – $228,000 per year
Pay scale & grade
ES 00
Promotion potential
00
Learn more about pay scale and grade
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel – You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series

  • 2210 Information Technology Management

Supervisory status
Yes
Federal service type
This job is in the Senior Executive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Position sensitivity and risk
Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type

  • Credentialing
  • Suitability/Fitness
  • National security

Financial disclosure required
Yes
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
EPA-ES-26-13073034
Control number
886502000

Job Overview