Drinking Water Program Director

Job Description 

Drinking Water Program Director – (26000229)

Description

Who We Are:

The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) seeks to protect, preserve, and enhance Massachusetts’ environmental resources and create a clean energy future for all residents. Through the stewardship of open spaces, the protection of environmental resources, and the advancement of clean energy, EEA works tirelessly to make Massachusetts a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family.   Our commitment to environmental justice ensures that every resident, regardless of background or location, can live in a safe, clean environment and shares equally in the benefits of the clean energy transition.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is the state agency responsible for ensuring clean air, land, and water. Our work impacts every aspect of people’s lives and is critical to the health and wellbeing of our residents and visitors. MassDEP is the lead agency for safe management of toxic and hazardous materials, promotion of waste reduction and recycling, preservation of the state’s wetlands and coastal resources, air quality monitoring and pollution reduction, and so much more.

Who We Are as an Employer:

At EEA, we create meaningful, inclusive opportunities that empower our employees to make a real difference in shaping the environmental future of Massachusetts. We foster a workplace culture where diversity is valued, innovation is encouraged, and collaboration thrives. Our employees play a vital role in advancing sustainability, environmental justice, and clean energy solutions, ensuring a positive and lasting impact on Massachusetts and its residents.

Description:

MassDEP’s Bureau of Water Resources is seeking an experienced manager and environmental professional to serve as Director for the Drinking Water Program (DWP). The Boston DWP team of about 32 staff is responsible for ensuring Massachusetts public water systems provide safe drinking water that meets state and federal standards.

MassDEP has primacy for the federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and the Director of the Drinking Water Program (DWP) leads MassDEP in ensuring safe drinking water across the Commonwealth through oversight of over 50 programs related to the enforcement of SDWA provisions. These include regulating water quality, current and emerging contaminants, new source approvals, treatment, distribution, and reporting for Public Water Systems. The Director is responsible for strategic planning and guiding the efforts of program staff to perform essential management, technical and policy functions related to key drinking water topics such as Lead and Copper Rule Revisions, Lead in Schools Expanded Assistance Program, Revised Total Coliform Rule, Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), Cybersecurity, Source Approval, Source and Distribution Protection, Consumer Confidence Reporting, Monitoring Waivers, Safe Drinking Water Act Compliance Database Development and Maintenance and Emerging Contaminants.

Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for the Drinking Water Program, including planning, prioritization, and implementation of program initiatives.
• Manage and supervise a multidisciplinary team of approximately 30 staff in Boston, including Section Chiefs, engineers, and analysts.
• Oversee major Drinking Water Program initiatives and regulatory programs, including Lead and Copper Rule Revisions, Lead in Schools Expanded Assistance Program, Revised Total Coliform Rule, PFAS initiatives, cybersecurity, and emerging contaminants.
• Direct core program functions including Source Water Approval and Protection, Capacity Development, Sanitary Survey Inspections, Water Quality Monitoring and Reporting, and Public Health Orders and Notices.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state drinking water regulations, including requirements under the Safe Drinking Water Act, and oversee the development and maintenance of the Safe Drinking Water Act Compliance Database.
• Coordinate programmatic efforts and communications with MassDEP regional offices and Boston program staff to support consistent policy and regulatory implementation.
• Supervise, mentor, and support program staff while ensuring programs provide training, technical assistance, and compliance support to Public Water Systems (PWSs).
• Oversee program budgeting and financial management, including monitoring expenditures and resource allocation.
• Manage and oversee water supply projects, including grant administration, tracking, and reporting.
• Maintain and oversee the Drinking Water Program Communication Hub to provide real-time updates, regulatory reminders, training opportunities, and technical and compliance assistance to water suppliers, consultants, regulated entities, and program partners.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of watershed management, drinking water, wastewater, water quality, and water resource management, including relevant laws, regulations, policies, and current practices.
• Knowledge of environmental science, environmental health, and public health principles.
• Knowledge of program management, monitoring, and evaluation systems.
• Knowledge of management principles and practices, including staff supervision, team leadership, and professional development.
• Knowledge of project management principles and the ability to oversee multiple complex technical projects simultaneously.
• Knowledge of environmental data collection methods and techniques and the ability to analyze and interpret data to inform policy and decision-making.
• Knowledge of change management and business process improvement practices.
• Knowledge of program policy development, implementation, and evaluation.
• Ability to establish program priorities, develop strategies, and manage project prioritization processes.
• Ability to coordinate and direct complex projects and ensure successful completion of multiple initiatives.
• Ability to design and implement data collection, reporting, evaluation, and communication processes.
• Ability to work effectively with senior state and federal officials, regulated entities, and other stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, including the ability to interpret laws, regulations, policies, and technical data.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex policies, present information clearly, and respond to inquiries.
• Ability to build collaborative teams, mediate conflicts, manage competing priorities, and work both independently and in a team environment.

Qualifications

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have at least (A) six (6) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management of which (B) at least two (2) years must have been in a supervisory or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.

Substitutions:

I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience.

II. A Bachelor’s degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience.

III. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience.

IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.  Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.  Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don’t meet 100% of the job requirements.  We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

Official Title: Administrator VIII

Primary Location: United States-Massachusetts-Boston-100 Cambridge Street

Job: Environmental and Energy

Agency: Department of Environmental Protection

Schedule: Full-time

Shift: Day

Job Posting: Mar 25, 2026, 9:42:57 AM

Number of Openings: 1

Salary: 109,765.96 – 169,628.22 Yearly

If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator: Chris Mendez / EEADiversity@mass.gov – 6178727730

Bargaining Unit: M99-Managers (EXE)

Confidential: No

Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule: Yes