Environmental Health Assistant Director

Title: Environmental Health Assistant Director

State Role Title: 

Hiring Range: $73,226 to $183,568

Pay Band: 6

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: VDH-Central Office

Agency Website: vdh.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

This is a restricted position, which is solely funded by the (Drinking Water State Revolving Fund) for a 7-year period, beginning with grant year 2025 and ending July 1, 2032. The availability of funding is scheduled for review annually and periodically thereafter. Continued employment is contingent on the continued availability of funds.

Note: Applications will be reviewed through July 25, 2025 at 12 pm. 

The Virginia Department of Health, Office of Drinking Water (ODW) is looking for an individual who wants to help drinking water systems with developing robust technical, managerial, and financial (TMF) capacity. This individual will manage the Training, Capacity Development and Outreach staff and ensure appropriate project management and financial accounting for infrastructure projects associated with the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The position supervises the Capacity Development Team of nine staff. The position collaborates with ODW technical staff, technical assistance providers, state and federal partner agencies, and local partners and waterworks owners to ensure public water systems in Virginia have adequate TMF capacity in line with the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Virginia Waterworks Regulations. The ideal candidate ensures waterworks receive funding and appropriate reporting and procurement processes are adhered. This position requires a high level of teamwork, collaboration, and public speaking. The position must be able to work in a complex environment with systems thinking problem solving.

This position will develop and deliver resources to inform municipal officials, waterworks owners, waterworks operators and other external stakeholders regarding the Virginia Public Water Supplies Law, Virginia Waterworks Regulations, drinking water treatment technologies, and waterworks operator certification requirements. The incumbent will deliver resources for increasing TMF capacity in water systems throughout the Commonwealth. These resources include the Planning and Design grants, the Small Project Engineering Program, the Equal Access to Drinking Water fund, as well as other funding sources. This position is the Principal Investigator on all grants and contracts related to Capacity Development, Operator Certification and Training, and ARPA. The position provides guidance and technical expertise on a wide range of drinking water-related topics. The position will be responsible for communicating with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on all matters related to the Capacity Development Program in Virginia. Including, the Annual Implementation Report, the Operator Certification Annual Report, the triennial assessment of water systems and the triennial report to the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Minimum Qualifications

The successful incumbent should possess the following:

• Working knowledge of drinking water regulations, project management, and knowledge of technology associated with provision of drinking water.
• Experience in performing independent research and develop analytical results from independent data sources.
• Experience presenting information directly and clearly to both technical and public audiences.
• Experience with interpreting and evaluating federal and state regulations to address public meetings.
• Experience interpreting technical documents.
• Experience working with stakeholders (Technical Assistance providers or small waterworks).
• Excellent oral and written communications skills.
• Experience with Project Management
• Experience with interpreting regulations
• Experience in supervising staff
• Experience in interpreting and evaluating learning data, information, feedback, and test results.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills.
• Degree from an accredited college with major studies in hard sciences (geology, biology, chemistry), engineering or a related field.

Additional Considerations

• Experience with the Safe Drinking Water Act and American Rescue Plan Act
• Working knowledge of water treatment and practices.
• Education / experience with training on scientific or technical matters.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

VDH accepts only on-line applications. Faxed, mailed, or e-mailed applications will not be considered. Applications are accepted until 11:55 p.m. on the job closing date. Applications and/or resumes should include relevant work history which indicates your qualifications for this position.

Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a state and federal criminal history background check and the Department of Social Service’s Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check, U.S. HHSIG Exclusion List check, employment reference check and E-Verify. Other financial, credit, driving, background checks or completion of Statement of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions.

It is the policy of the Commonwealth and VDH that all aspects of human resource management be conducted without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. VDH employees have a shared Code of Ethics, which can be found in the bottom banner of our website: www.vdh.virginia.gov.
If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.

As a V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) employer VDH Welcomes Veterans to apply!
Supplemental Questions: You may be required to respond to position-specific questions at the end of this application. This information will help us evaluate your credentials and qualifications for the job. Failure to respond to any questions may disqualify you from further consideration.

Contact Information

Name: Cassandra Diclaro, RACR

Phone: 804.573.1158

Email: cassandra.diclaro@vdh.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.