HR Programs & Workforce Analytics Specialist (Subject Matter Expert I)

Overview

You know that a federal agency's most critical resource is its people — and you have the HR expertise and analytical instincts to help leadership make smarter, faster decisions about them. You're the kind of professional who can walk a supervisor through a complex personnel action in the morning, build a workforce trend dashboard in the afternoon, and deliver a training session on HR compliance by end of day — without breaking a sweat. As an HR Programs & Workforce Analytics Specialist for FWI supporting NOAA's Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) Chief Financial and Administrative Office (CFO-CAO), you will serve as a strategic human capital partner to the Employee Services Division (ESD), providing expert guidance across the full spectrum of HR functions — from staffing and classification to performance management, awards, and workforce analytics. You will help ensure that NOAA's OAR workforce strategy is data-driven, compliant, and responsive to the needs of leadership at every level. This is a role for someone who thrives in a fast-paced federal environment, communicates complex HR policy clearly, and brings both the technical and interpersonal skills to make a lasting impact on the people side of one of the nation's most important science agencies.

Work Schedule and Location:

Hybrid: This full-time hybrid position will work Monday through Friday, 8 AM EST to 5 PM EST, with up to 90% work onsite at 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910

FWI is expanding rapidly and has been recognized as a 2024, 2025 and 2026 Top Workplace, offering excellent growth opportunities in a collaborative environment. 

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain communication channels with the Office of Human Capital Services and relevant stakeholders to support efficient consultation and issue resolution within 24 to 48 hours 

• Conduct and contribute to regular training sessions — including SOAR and Knowvember training seminars — for internal and external stakeholders on human capital topics including staffing, recruitment, classification, position management, awards, time and attendance, and workforce analytics 

• Foster strong relationships with OAR leadership, Administrative Officers, and HR liaisons to understand their needs and provide tailored guidance in collaboration with HR Business Advisors and ESD staff 

• Collaborate with key stakeholders on strategic planning related to administrative HR matters, aligning initiatives with organizational goals and OAR mission priorities 

• Enter and submit personnel actions in strict compliance with applicable policies and regulations; address deviations or delays promptly in collaboration with relevant stakeholders 

• Continuously monitor and optimize HR information systems to ensure they meet organizational needs; support managers and ESD staff on effective data management, reporting, and system utilization 

• Apply specialized knowledge to provide expert analysis of HR data, identifying trends, patterns, and areas for improvement across the OAR workforce 

• Utilize statistical data analytics tools — including Google Platform, SQL, and/or Tableau — to analyze HR data, generate insights, and provide regular reports on personnel actions and HR-related data sources 

• Provide broad program support to ESD across Executive Resources, Awards, Performance Management, Workforce Analytics, policy implementation, student programs, procurement, and other ESD functions as assigned 

• Apply specialized knowledge to gather facts, research and analyze human capital data, and develop conclusions, recommendations, and strategies for ESD and OAR leadership 

Qualifications

Required: 

• BA/BS in a technical or business discipline — Human Resources Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a closely related field preferred; advanced degrees or certifications may qualify for shorter periods of required experience 
• 4+ years of professional and/or academic experience 

Desired: 

• Demonstrated experience supporting federal HR operations, including personnel action processing, position classification, staffing and recruitment, and performance management programs

   

• Familiarity with federal HR information systems and personnel action request (PAR) workflows, including experience with HR-related databases and reporting platforms

   

• Proficiency with data analytics tools such as Google Sheets, Google Data Studio, SQL, or Tableau; demonstrated ability to analyze workforce data and produce actionable reports for leadership

   

• Experience developing and delivering HR training sessions or informational briefings for diverse federal audiences

   

• Working knowledge of federal HR regulations, OPM guidance, and agency-level HR policy implementation

   

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with leadership, managers, and HR colleagues in a federal environment

   

• Experience supporting Executive Resources, awards programs, or workforce analytics functions in a federal agency preferred

   

• Ability to obtain and maintain a Low-risk federal security clearance

Work Setting and Environment:

• Primary location: SSMC3, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910
• Contractors are expected to work on-site each Tuesday (OAR CFO-CAO office day); additional telework is approved on a case-by-case basis by the COR
• Normal work hours are Monday through Friday, 8 hours per day / 40 hours per week, excluding federal holidays
• Local and non-local travel may be required; all unplanned travel must be approved in writing by the COR at least 10 calendar days in advance

FWI is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets. 

Why Join Our Team

At FWI, we place the highest importance on creating an exceptional employee experience. You'll have opportunities to achieve your career aspirations through internal promotions, professional development, and other recognition and rewards programs. Join our team and take advantage of the many benefits we offer, including:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Long-term and Short-term Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) Plan
• Holiday Pay
• Paid Time Off

Pay Range

Pay ranges from $81,000.00 to $85,800.00 depending on experience, education, and clearance level.