Management Analyst (Program Manager)

Department of Defense Headquarters; Hawaii; On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) in Hawaii seeks a senior analyst at the GS-13 level to lead scientific and forensic operations, ensuring rigorous case management across laboratories and external partners. This role emphasizes accountability and collaboration to advance missing personnel accounting.

The position requires planning, SOP development, and interpretation of DNA testing modalities including NGS and SNP, with mentoring of staff and adherence to data standards.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-13 level in a federal or equivalent setting.
• Experience planning, managing, and evaluating scientific requirements and SOPs in a forensic or scientific laboratory, including LIMS or similar databases.
• Coordination of complex case management operations across multiple laboratories or external agencies, including staff mentoring/training.
• Knowledge of DNA testing modalities (nuclear/mitochondrial) with exposure to NGS and SNP data interpretation.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate forensic laboratory operations and case management across multiple laboratories and agencies.
• Develop and evaluate SOPs and ensure data standards and quality control across programs.
• Mentor and train scientific and administrative staff to support efficient operations and reporting.
• Interpret and synthesize DNA testing outputs, including NGS/SNP data, for case conclusions.

Skills

Laboratory workflow coordination

DNA testing modalities

NGS SNP knowledge

Leadership/mentoring staff

Tools

LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System)

Job description

This position is located in the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. Provides the fullest possible accounting for missing personnel from the Nation's past conflicts to their families and nation. DPAA personnel research, investigate, recover, and identify remains of DOW personnel unaccounted for from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the Persian War, and Iraq conflicts. The Director, DPAA ( SES-III), reports to the Under Secretary of War for Personnel and Readiness.

In order to qualify for this position, you must meet the requirements described below. You may qualify at the GS-13 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service (experience may have been gained in the private sector) that demonstrates your ability to:

• planning, managing, and evaluating scientific requirements and standard operating procedures (SOPs) within a forensic or scientific laboratory system, including utilizing Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) or similar database platforms
• coordinating complex case management operations and communication workflows across multiple laboratories, federal directorates, or external agencies, including leading, mentoring, or training scientific and administrative support staff
• nuclear and mitochondrial DNA testing modalities and outputs, alongside a working knowledge of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) DNA testing protocols, with demonstrated ability to read, interpret, and synthesize large-scale DNA datasets.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. All qualifications and education requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement and clearly documented in your resume. Your resume may not exceed two (2) pages. For qualifications determinations, it is recommended that applicants include their months and hours worked per week for each employment listed on their resume. If a determination is not able to be made about the duration of your creditable experience for qualification requirements, you will be removed from consideration. Read more about what should I include in my federal resume at https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include

ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS:

Federal agencies treat active duty service member as veterans, disabled veterans, and preference eligible, when they submit, as part of their application package, a \"certification\" of active service in lieu of a DD-214, indicating the service member is otherwise eligible and will be discharged or released within 120 days from the date of submission..

A \"certification\" letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. This \"certification\" must include your rank, dates of active duty service, type of discharge and character of service (i.e. honorable), and date any terminal leave will begin. It must be signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters.

Active duty members that fail to provide a valid \"certification\" of service with their initial application will be found \"not eligible\".

Members may be appointed before the effective date of their military retirement/separation if they are on terminal leave.

DOD PPP candidates using Application-Based Procedures:

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: Military Spouse Preference applicants, must be selected and placed at the highest grade level for which they have applied and been determined best qualified.

You must include a completed copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD-3145-4) dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Spouse Preference.

Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians PPP Eligible: MR and NG technicians PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified.

You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD-3145-3) to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician preference.

Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians Receiving Disability Retirement PPP Eligible: MR and NG technicians receiving disability retirement PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified.

You must include a completed copy of the Milit