Program Specialist - DJ-0301-02/03 - 55855

Position Overview/Duties:

This 180-day temporary detail offers a unique opportunity for employees to gain hands-on experience in specialized project management and financial administration within CHL while supporting CHL’s Field Research Facility, a world class coastal observatory located in Duck, NC. The selected candidate(s) will work alongside Research Engineers and Scientists to support critical R&D missions. This position focuses on project planning, financial and resource management, procurement, and seamless administrative coordination.

· Financial & Resource Management: Assists Principal Investigators (PIs) by analyzing and tracking project funds and labor charges. Communicates directly with project sponsors to forecast and calculate labor/travel costs and determines appropriate Work Item Codes (WICs). Monitors project expenditures and helps align resources with project requirements.

· Financial Analysis & Discrepancy Resolution: Investigates and resolves WIC discrepancies by analyzing custom reports from the Data Warehouse and reviewing resourcing in CEFMS to prevent negative impacts on division overhead.

· Project Planning & Tracking: Assists in defining project scopes, developing project schedules (milestones), and tracking progress against baselines. Develops and maintains financial spreadsheets, statistical charts, and project data reports to brief PIs on project burn rates, financial health, and resource allocation.

· Travel Administration: Analyzes and processes travel orders and vouchers, ensuring compliance with the Joint Travel Regulation (JTR). Proactively audits vouchers against orders to prevent financial "burden rejects" and independently uses judgment to amend financial orders to cover funding shortfalls.

· Policy & Coordination: Analyzes and interprets changing legislation, regulations (e.g., JTR), and policies, providing authoritative advice to division staff. Coordinates and prepares comprehensive approval materials for complex processes such as foreign travel, major conferences, and official external correspondence.

· Procurement: Oversees division procurement using the Government Purchase Card (GPC) and automated PR&Cs. Conducts market research to support the acquisition of specialized equipment and supplies for engineers and scientists.

· Risk & Issue Management: Identifies potential project risks, tracks issues, and assists project managers in developing mitigation plans. Acts as the primary point of contact to troubleshoot, problem-solve, and make independent decisions when employees or PIs face unusual operational roadblocks.

· Documentation & Communication: Serves as a liaison between multidisciplinary technical teams and administrative divisions, ensuring smooth stakeholder communication. Prepares project briefs, status reports, and coordinates technical or administrative documentation for review and approval.

· Process Improvement: Utilizes office automation technology, such as AI platforms and Microsoft Office 365, to design, develop, and streamline division operating procedures in coordination with the supervisor.

· Performs other duties as assigned of an administrative or analytical nature consistent with the series and grade of the position.

This job opportunity is open to CURRENT, PERMANENT USACE EMPLOYEES ONLY.

This opportunity is being announced through the USACE Voluntary Internal Opportunities Program (VIOP). Current, permanent USACE employees with non-competitive eligibility to be placed in this position are eligible to apply. Temporary or term employees and Department of Army Fellows assigned to USACE will not be considered for positions or assignments through VIOP, except for Deployment Opportunities. It is not mandatory for hiring officials to use VIOP in order to fill a vacancy non-competitively within USACE. Utilization of VIOP is subject to compliance with all applicable statutes, regulations, policies, and negotiated agreements.

Conditions of Employment:

· Applications must be submitted after 12:01 AM (EST) of the posted Job Posting Open Date and before 11:59 PM (EST) of the posted Job Posting Close Date to receive consideration.

· All positions require the applicant to be a citizen of the United States.

· Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, are required to register for Selective Service prior to appointment.

· Direct deposit of pay is required.

· This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of 10% of the time.