Portfolio Manager

Cherokee Federal•Silver Spring, MD

21d•$95,000 - $97,000

About The Position

The Portfolio Manager/Epidemiologist supports programmatic and epidemiological activities related to infectious-disease biosurveillance, particularly respiratory infections and laboratory capabilities across partner laboratories funded by the Department of War Global Emerging Infections Surveillance (GEIS) program. Working closely with the Science Advisor and Senior Molecular Epidemiologist, this role tracks and coordinates respiratory surveillance and emerging laboratory technologies and coordinates the Next-Generation Sequencing User working group. The position requires a strong grounding in epidemiology, experience tracking infectious-disease surveillance programs, and an understanding of laboratory methods to support updates to the annual Laboratory Capability Survey and associated database. The role provides portfolio and program support to senior staff and the GEIS Program Office, supports partner laboratories and surveillance initiatives, and contributes subject-matter expertise in epidemiology and infectious-disease surveillance. Duties include evaluating funded activities, maintaining reference materials and awareness of relevant scientific and policy developments, and communicating with partners in the United States and overseas. Occasional site visits to partner laboratories in the continental United States and overseas, as well as attendance at national and international professional conferences, are required. The position requires a master's degree in public health or a related field, at least five years of public-health experience, project or portfolio management experience, and experience with laboratory or genomic methods relevant to infectious-disease or other public-health threats. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and hold an active Secret clearance. The role has no supervisory or management authority. Work is primarily in a climate-controlled environment and involves prolonged desk and computer work, with occasional extended periods standing or moving about the office. The listed starting salary range is $95,000–$97,000.

Requirements

Master’s degree (MPH, MSPH, MSc, or related degree).
At least 5 years of experience in a public health setting.
Experience in project and/or portfolio management.
Experience with laboratory methods and/or genomic methods for infectious-disease or other public-health threats.
Must be a U.S. citizen.
Must hold an active Secret clearance.
Must pass Cherokee Federal pre-employment qualifications.
Strong organization and attention to detail, with the ability to review and digest information from multiple sources.
Ability to lead projects and initiatives to provide data-related solutions.
Ability to adapt quickly to changing or evolving needs and collaborate across expertise domains in a fast-paced team environment.
Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer; may occasionally need to stand or move about the office for extended periods.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting Federal clients, particularly the Department of War.
Experience with Department of War CONUS and OCONUS laboratories.

Responsibilities

Review annual proposals and budgets, track progress toward milestones, support routine briefing updates, and review monthly data submissions.
Provide programmatic support to GEIS Program Office staff and partner laboratories for internal and external wastewater-based surveillance efforts.
Support the Senior Data Analyst in managing and updating the Laboratory Capability Database and collecting, cleaning, and analyzing routine respiratory surveillance data.
Support general program laboratory initiatives and help strategize and operationalize infectious-disease laboratory initiatives.
Communicate regularly with GEIS partner organizations in the United States and overseas.
Serve as an epidemiology and infectious-disease surveillance subject-matter expert, especially for emerging respiratory pathogens such as influenza, COVID-19, and other military-relevant respiratory infections.
Evaluate GEIS-funded activities at partner laboratories, including occasional site visits in the continental United States and overseas and attendance at national and international professional conferences.
Build reference materials for portfolio activities, including geographic layouts of surveillance locations and Scientific Review Board rosters.
Track advances in epidemiology, laboratory methods, and genomic epidemiology to advise on and support integration into relevant Focus Area initiatives.
Stay informed about Force Health Protection policies and literature from sources outside AFHSD, including the CDC and WHO.
Provide programmatic support as requested by the GEIS Scientific Program Manager, including reviewing and revising documents and other deliverables.
Lead projects and initiatives that provide data-related solutions; collaborate across areas of expertise; adapt to evolving needs; and perform other assigned job-related duties.