Psychological Health Program Manager at Knowesis, Inc. in silver spring, Maryland

Job Description:

Position: Psychological Health Program Manager

Location: Silver Spring, MD & Frederick, MD

Work Environment: Hybrid

Clearance Required: Public Trust 

Knowesis is currently seeking an experienced Psychological Health Program Manager to support the Science and Technology (S&T) Psychological Health Portfolio for the Defense Health Agency (DHA) Research and Engineering Directorate, Science and Technology Enterprise Integration Division (STEID). This hybrid position is in Silver Spring and Frederick, MD.

This position requires a Public Trust and U.S. Citizenship (applicants without proof of US citizenship will not be considered due to the position’s security clearance requirement). The successful candidate will reside in the local area or relocate within 15 days of the start date.

The Psychological Health Portfolio Management SME will provide scientific input and support to the DHA Psychological Health S&T Portfolio Manager by assisting in the development, review, and revision of strategic research plans, including research goals and objectives, in alignment with Department of Defense (DoD) joint priorities. The SME will formulate recommendations on research budgeting and execution activities, and the scientific quality, merit, and military programmatic relevance of psychological health prevention and treatment research performed by DoD supporting laboratories and extramural performers.

The Job Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Provide support to the Psychological Health Portfolio Manager as a collaborative member of the Portfolio team in managing research budget and execution activities, and in the assessment of the scientific quality, merit, and military programmatic relevance of psychological health prevention and treatment research performed by funded performers.


• Provide scientific input and support to the Psychological Health Portfolio Manager by assisting in the development, review, and revision of strategic research plans, including research goals and objectives.


• Assist in composing funding opportunity announcements and drafting solicitations to support the Psychological Health Portfolio objectives.


• Review pre- and full research proposals for scientific and programmatic merit and make recommendations to the Portfolio Manager for funding.


• Assist in monitoring progress, outcomes, changes, and issues related to Psychological Health Portfolio funded research projects.


• Coordinate with execution management activity staff to review and report on tracking and disbursement of research funds.


• Develop and maintain electronic master files to track the progress of research projects including briefings, spreadsheets, and databases.


• Attend meetings and coordinate activities with DoD, other Federal agencies, academic, and industry laboratories.


• Prepare information papers, special studies, and review and analyses in response to taskings.


• Communicate with intramural and extramural principal investigators in regard to programmatic matters.


• Assist in composing technical summaries of DHA-sponsored research projects.


• Assist in preparing and submitting research management and Congressional reports.


• Assist in planning and coordinating technical meetings, workshops, and peer reviews and attend briefings/meetings/conferences.


• Assist Psychological Health Portfolio Manager by preparing reports documenting budgetary status, schedule, and technical progress.


• Assist Psychological Health Portfolio Manager in coordinating, overseeing, and monitoring the budget aspects of intramural and extramural pre-proposals and proposals, including interactions with the contracting and executing organizations.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in performing and/or managing psychological health research.


• Minimum of 2 years of experience in a DoD or Federal research laboratory or in the management/oversight of DoD or Federal scientific research.


• Facilitation, critical thinking, analytical, quantitative, and data gathering skills.


• Highly organized, extremely detail-oriented with efficient time management skills and multi-tasking capabilities; can handle multiple and parallel projects in a deadline-driven environment.


• Excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to depict complex systems and processes in logical, comprehensive, concise reports, presentations, or graphics.  


• High degree of professionalism, ensuring that products and communications are technically accurate and of professional quality.


• Demonstrates leadership in activities, as appropriate.


• Uses innovative, creative approaches when necessary (to meet novel needs and/or solve problems).


• Proficiency using Microsoft Office (e.g., Teams, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, Sharepoint).


• Must work effectively and collaboratively in a team environment. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous work in the DoD environment.


• Experience with, or understanding of, DoD Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) funding 


• Experience in grants management desirable.

Required Education:

• Doctorate in Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience, or related

Knowesis is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.   

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