Shape the Future of Naval Engineering: Become a GS-12 Program Analyst at Pearl Harbor

Are you looking to merge a highly impactful career in public service with one of the most breathtaking living environments on earth? The Department of the Navy is currently recruiting for a GS-12 Program Analyst to join the Engineering and Planning Department (EPD) at the historic Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. In this pivotal role, you will lead workforce planning, engineering recruitment, and organizational initiatives that directly sustain the combat readiness of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Federal careers are about more than just a job; they represent an intersection where duty, patriotism, and professional excellence unite. By stepping into this Program Analyst role, you will leverage your expertise in data analysis, workforce assessment, and program management to secure the highly specialized engineering talent needed to maintain our nation’s state-of-the-art submarines and surface vessels.

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About the Agency: The U.S. Pacific Fleet and Pearl Harbor NSY & IMF

Headquartered at historic Pearl Harbor on Oahu, the U.S. Pacific Fleet (USPACFLT) is the world's largest fleet command. Spanning over 100 million square miles—stretching from the Arctic Circle to Antarctica, and from the United States West Coast to the Indian Ocean—USPACFLT encompasses nearly 200 ships and submarines, 1,200 aircraft, and more than 130,000 active-duty and civilian Sailors.

The Engineering and Planning Department (EPD) of the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PHNSY & IMF) serves as the technical backbone of this massive operation. PHNSY & IMF is the largest industrial employer in the State of Hawaii, consisting of a dedicated, multi-disciplinary workforce of scientists, engineers, and technicians. EPD is responsible for planning, designing, and overseeing complex maintenance, modernization, and repair schedules for our fleet's nuclear-powered submarines and surface combatants. Working here means collaborating with elite technical minds in an energetic, mission-focused environment that directly impacts global maritime security.

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Job Responsibilities: Leading Talent Strategy and Technical Recruiting

As a Program Analyst within the EPD, you will not simply process paperwork; instead, you will serve as the premier architect of the department's engineering recruitment and development pipeline. This active, multifaceted position requires balancing analytical data assessment with external public relations and university outreach.

Key responsibilities include:

• Recruitment Coordination: Overseeing and managing the comprehensive selection process for engineers, partnering directly with technical leaders from the Nuclear Engineering and Planning Department (NEPD).
• Workforce Development: Leading local employee retention, training, and professional advancement initiatives tailored for newly hired and mid-level EPD engineers.
• Outreach & Event Orchestration: Formulating, scheduling, and executing recruitment trips, university campus visits, local high school initiatives, and technical career fairs to generate local and national interest in Navy careers.
• Policy Design: Drafting and implementing standardized hiring procedures and local recruiting policies that align with NAVSEA's overarching national recruitment strategies.
• Forecasting and Attrition Analysis: Analyzing current and projected workforce requirements using complex organizational data, and developing comprehensive action plans to prevent workforce shortfalls.
• Internal Advisory Services: Guiding shipyard hiring managers on recruitment best practices, expectations, and modern candidate evaluation standards.
• Community Engagement: Representing the Department of the Navy at public education forums, generating excitement around STEM initiatives, and designing hands-on engineering activities for Hawaiian youth.

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Strategic Talent Acquisition vs. Tactical HR Operations

To understand the vital scope of this position, it is helpful to look at how the EPD Program Analyst role differs from standard, administrative Human Resources functions:

Operational Dimension	EPD Program Analyst (Strategic Recruitment)	Standard Human Resources (Tactical Processing)
Primary Focus	Proactive workforce pipeline development and outreach	Retroactive candidate processing and policy compliance
Workforce Strategy	Studying attrition, forecasting engineer shortages, planning targeted hiring	Onboarding candidates, administering benefits, maintaining files
Outreach Style	University recruiting, STEM engagement, traveling to career fairs	Posting job announcements and answering general public inquiries
Collaboration	Partnering with Department Heads (NEPD) to place specialized engineers	Enforcing standardized agency-wide civil service guidelines
Engineering Impact	Active engagement in shaping technical talent pools across Hawaii	Transactional processing of job offers and salary step-advancements

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Qualifications and Requirements

To qualify for this GS-12 position, your application and resume must demonstrate specialized skills and experience in professional workforce planning.

Specialized Experience Requirements

Candidates must show at least one full year of specialized experience at the GS-11 grade level (or equivalent in the private or public sector) that demonstrates proficiency in:

1. Conducting comprehensive organizational studies to gather and interpret employee attrition and retention data.
2. Utilizing data analysis to formulate long-term workforce staffing forecasts.
3. Developing, planning, and executing targeted recruitment events and pipelines designed to meet specific engineering or technical program staffing requirements.

Core Competencies for Success

Applicants will be evaluated on several crucial behavioral and technical competencies during the hiring process:

• Strategic Thinking & Reporting: The capability to transform complex data sets into actionable hiring recommendations.
• Influencing & Negotiating: Building consensus between academic institutions, engineering candidates, and shipyard leadership.
• Partnering & Interpersonal Skills: Establishing strong, lasting relationships with recruiters across other Naval Shipyards.
• Oral Communication: Delivering persuasive presentations to diverse audiences, from university students to high-ranking naval officers.

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Salary Overview and Compensation

The salary for this GS-12 Position is highly competitive, ranging from $93,445 to $121,482 per year. This base salary is augmented by a comprehensive locality pay adjustment for the island of Oahu, ensuring that employees are fairly compensated relative to the local cost of living. Because this position is part of the General Schedule (GS) federal pay system, employees are also eligible for scheduled step increases and potential cost-of-living adjustments legislated by the federal government.

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Comprehensive Benefits Package

Civilian service with the Department of the Navy offers an industry-leading benefits package designed to support your health, financial stability, and long-term career growth:

• Health and Wellness: Multiple comprehensive health insurance options under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program, as well as dental, vision, and long-term care plans.
• Retirement Security: Coverage under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), a three-tiered plan that includes a defined-benefit pension, Social Security, and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with up to 5% agency matching.
• Paid Time Off: Generous annual leave (vacation) accrual based on years of service, separate sick leave accrual, and 11 paid federal holidays each year.
• Work-Life Balance: This position is telework-eligible, allowing for a hybrid schedule subject to supervisor and organizational requirements. Additionally, flexible work schedules may be authorized to accommodate personal needs.

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How to Apply: A Step-by-Step Guide

Applying for federal positions requires close attention to detail and adherence to strict guidelines. Follow these steps to submit a successful application:

1. Preparation: Visit USAJOBS and log in or create an account. Ensure your profile details are fully updated.
2. Resume Submission: Upload or build a professional resume. Your resume must be strictly limited to a maximum of two pages. Ensure it clearly showcases your specialized experience as described above.
3. Document Gathering: Collect all supporting documents including transcripts (if substituting or supplementing education), SF-50s (for current federal employees), DD-214s (for veterans), or disability documentation.
4. Complete the Questionnaire: Click 'Apply Online' from the USAJOBS listing to link to the Navy's application portal. Complete the detailed questionnaire, ensuring accuracy in all self-ratings.
5. Submit Before Deadline: Submit your completed application packet before 11:59 PM Eastern Time on September 2, 2026.
6. USA Hire Assessment: Following submission, check your email for a unique assessment link. You will have exactly 48 hours from the closing of the announcement to finish the required USA Hire Competency-Based Assessments.

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Critical Application Tips for Success

• The Two-Page Limit is Absolute: Unlike traditional federal resumes which can run five pages or longer, this specific shipyard announcement restricts resumes to a maximum of two pages. Any resume exceeding this length will be automatically disqualified.
• Mirror Specialized Keywords: Do not generalize your experience. Use industry-specific terminology such as "workforce attrition studies," "retirement/retention forecasting," and "university recruiting coordination" to clearly demonstrate your qualifications.
• Prepare for USA Hire: The assessments include cognitive and behavioral evaluations. Set aside two hours in a quiet, distraction-free environment to complete them. Your score is retained for one year and will apply to other similar federal applications.
• Provide Verified Evidence: If you claim military preference or prior federal service, ensure your DD-214 or SF-50 clearly shows your dates of service and type of discharge/tenure. Submit multiple SF-50s if necessary to prove you have held the next lower grade (GS-11) for a full year.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is this job open to the public?

This position is open to individuals under specific hiring paths, including career transition program candidates (CTAP/ICTAP), veterans, military spouses, individuals with disabilities, and current federal employees. Check the USAJOBS announcement to see which hiring path applies to you.

Q2: What kind of security clearance is required?

This position requires a "Secret" security clearance. Selected candidates must undergo a background investigation and fingerprinting to obtain and maintain this clearance.

Q3: Can I apply if I live outside of Hawaii?

Yes, applications are accepted nationwide. However, please be aware that relocation assistance (Permanent Change of Station/PCS) is not authorized for this announcement, meaning you would be responsible for relocation costs.

Q4: When must the USA Hire assessment be completed?

If you meet the initial qualifications, you will receive a testing link via email. This assessment must be completed within 48 hours after the job posting closes on September 2, 2026.

Q5: Who can I contact for application issues?

For general inquiries or system assistance, you may contact the Department of the Navy Employment Information Center at [email protected].

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If you are an analytical, relationship-oriented professional ready to influence the human resources strategy of a premier maritime defense organization, the Program Analyst role at Pearl Harbor is the ultimate opportunity. By designing the strategies that attract and retain elite engineers, you will leave an indelible mark on the efficiency and strength of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Update your resume, compile your supporting documents, and submit your application before September 2, 2026, to launch your next federal career in Hawaii!