Senior Human Performance Research Jobs in Washington

General information
Job Posting Title
Senior Human Performance Advisor (HPA)
Date
Thursday, August 13, 2026
City
Remote
Country
United States
Working time
Full-time
Description & Requirements
Maximus is seeking a Senior Human Performance Advisor (HPA) to serve as a principal technical expert supporting the component headquarters advisor or enterprise Preservation of the Force and Family (POTFF) program. This role provides strategic guidance, programmatic oversight, and technical expertise to plan, develop, and synchronize Human Performance (HP) services, including readiness enhancement, training, policy recommendations, and evidence-based program support. The Senior HPA supports a holistic, integrated approach to optimizing the performance and well-being of Special Operations Forces (SOF) personnel and their families
U.S. citizenship is required. Candidates must possess an active U.S. Government Secret security clearance or be eligible to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance as required for contract performance. This position is pending upon contract award.
Why Maximus?
Flexibility That Fits Your Life - Work/life balance support with flexibility designed to meet your personal and professional needs.
Robust Health & Insurance Benefits - Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription plans, a partially funded HSA, Life Insurance, and additional insurance discounts.
Build Your Financial Future - 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with Company Match.
Generous Time Away From Work - PTO, paid holidays, extended sick leave, and Short- and Long-Term Disability coverage.
Wellness Beyond the Workplace - Resources supporting physical, emotional, and financial well-being through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Recognition That Matters - Employee recognition programs that celebrate achievements and contributions.
Invest in Your Growth - Tuition Reimbursement and professional development opportunities.
Employee Discounts & Perks - Exclusive savings, special offers, and employee-only benefits.
Wellness Programs & Resources - Programs and tools designed to support overall health and wellness.
Career Development Opportunities - Training programs, workshops, conferences, and ongoing learning opportunities.
Licensure & Certification Support - Maximus covers the costs associated with renewing required licenses and certifications. .
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Review cases and summarize the facts of each case and assess issues involved in the case to certify or non-certify requested treatments.
- Provide written clinical rationales for Workers Compensation cases.
- Review, organize and identify all medical records provided for workers comp cases.
- Monitor timeliness of reviews to ensure applicable standards are met.
- Consistently meet production and quality standards.
- Perform special projects as assigned such as legal research, general medical research, etc.
- Work on special projects to improve the project or other special projects as assigned.
- Become a subject matter expert (SME) using job aides and learning tools.
Program Specific Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Function as an enterprise-wide technical authority for the assigned area of expertise within the POTFF Program at HQ USSOCOM.
• Assist the supervisory domain lead with domain program oversight for Components, HQ, and Theater Special Operations Commands (TSOCs).
• Perform primarily administrative duties; may be authorized to work limited hours at HQ and SOCCENT POTFF to maintain professional licensure, if time permits and as desired by the HPA.
• Assist in developing oversight and compliance documentation within the assigned technical area for site-assist visits and Inspector General inspections conducted by USSOCOM POTFF staff.
• Assist with or conduct enterprise meetings, as needed, to communicate and disseminate information through the chain of command to subordinate Components and TSOCs.
• Lead strategic planning, policy development, and data integration efforts to advance technical readiness across global SOF units.
• Direct and mentor a network of embedded operational health and/or performance professionals.
• Drive the creation and dissemination of advanced training, research, and communications in support of mission-critical human performance initiatives.
• Provide expert consultation to senior leaders across USSOCOM and the Department of War (DOW), ensuring human performance strategies align with operational demands and emerging threats.
• Champion innovation, interagency collaboration, and evidence-based practices to optimize SOF Service member human performance.
• Support mitigation, treatment, management, and preservation of the cognitive, physical, psychological, social, and spiritual well-being of Service Members and their families.

Minimum Requirements
- Bachelor's degree with 5-7 years of experience consulting within designated function.
- Advanced degree preferred.
- Develops solutions to highly complex problems which require a high degree of ingenuity and innovation.
- Ensures solutions are consistent with organization objectives.
- Solutions may serve as precedent for future decisions.
- Develops advanced concepts, techniques and standards requiring a high level of interpersonal and technical skills.
- Develops new applications based on professional principles and theories.
- Viewed as an expert in field within the organization.
Program Specific Minimum Requirements

• Master's degree from an accredited program in exercise science, health science, physical education, dietetics, physical therapy, sports psychology, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of demonstrable accumulated experience, including at least five (5) years embedded in USSOCOM POTFF.
• Experience developing long- and short-range planning and coordinating sport- and/or mission-specific performance programs with attributable results for individual athletes and groups at the NCAA Division I, Olympic, professional sports, and/or SOF Operator levels.
• Creditable specialized experience in functional program planning and coordination, HPA work with positive attributable results, collegiate and/or professional athletic environments, and multi-domain programming.
• Experience delivering lectures, multimedia instruction, and practical hands-on training related to strength, conditioning, performance nutrition, and team dynamics.
• Required Certifications, Licensure, and Credentials
• Current certification in one of the following: Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified (SCCC), Physical Therapist, Certified Consultant through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (CC-AASP), Registered Dietitian (RD), or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).
• Active state licensure is required if practicing as an Athletic Trainer Certified, Physical Therapist, or Performance Dietitian.
• Local credentialing is required if providing clinical care in addition to HPA responsibilities.

Additional Program-Specific Requirements

• May be required to attend a face-to-face interview.
• The gaining unit may choose to have this position provide clinical care when appropriate.
• When serving as a subject matter expert and/or credentialed, licensed provider, provide direct care for the mitigation, treatment, management, and preservation of the cognitive, physical, psychological, social, and spiritual well-being of Service Members.
• Document services in HP enterprise-wide platforms, such as HPDMS or the Electronic Health Record, as directed by USSOCOM Directive 10-12.
• Productivity-level adjustments may vary based on client population, local mission set, or additional administrative taskings.
• Additional duties assigned through local leadership must be documented and approved through local POTFF leadership.

#LI-Remote
EEO Statement
Maximus is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics.
Pay Transparency
Maximus compensation is based on various factors including but not limited to job location, a candidate's education, training, experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value analysis including seniority and merit systems, as well as internal pay alignment. Annual salary is just one component of Maximus's total compensation package. Other rewards may include short- and long-term incentives as well as program-specific awards. Additionally, Maximus provides a variety of benefits to employees, including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, a retirement savings plan, paid holidays and paid time off. Compensation ranges may differ based on contract value but will be commensurate with job duties and relevant work experience. An applicant's salary history will not be used in determining compensation. Maximus will comply with regulatory minimum wage rates and exempt salary thresholds in all instances.
Accommodations
Maximus provides reasonable accommodations to individuals requiring assistance during any phase of the employment process due to a disability, medical condition, or physical or mental impairment. If you require assistance at any stage of the employment process-including accessing job postings, completing assessments, or participating in interviews,-please contact People Operations at applicantaccom@maximus.com.
Minimum Salary
$
58,000.00
Maximum Salary
$
121,800.00