Cognitive Performance Specialist

Job Title: Cognitive Performance Specialist

Summary- This is a contingent Opportunity and would begin work upon the contract award

The Cognitive Performance Specialist (CPS) functions as an integrated member of a multi-disciplinary team focused on optimizing Soldier readiness and performance within the Army's new Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) System. The system empowers and equips Soldiers to take charge of their health, fitness, and well-being to optimize individual performance while preventing injury and disease. As an integral part of the H2F Performance Team, the CPS assists and advises the training, developing, and coaching of Soldiers to use the cognitive skills and mental readiness strategies necessary to perform optimally in training and operations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist and advise the Mental Readiness Director/Occupational Therapist and Brigade (BDE) Program Director (PD) in developing and maintaining Mental Readiness Program implementation, assessment, improvement, and monitoring guidelines to ensure consistency and effectiveness of mental readiness services across the BDE.

• Assist and advise the Mental Readiness Director/Occupational Therapist (in developing, coordinating, executing, assessing, and managing BDE PD approved cognitive performance optimization and mental readiness training programs for units and teams within the framework of the BDE training/operational schedule, battle rhythm, and culture.

• Participate in capabilities briefs as needed to unit and team leadership within the BDE (or equivalent) in order for the leadership to better understand CPS' capabilities.

• Assist and advise in the development of training and instructional materials in accordance with H2F System, using evidence-based, current state-of-the-science literature, to train, educate, coach, and mentor Soldiers in specific skills and strategies in support of cognitive performance and mental readiness optimization and sustainment of unit mission and individual Soldier tasks. This training shall be synchronized and integrated with unit training/operational schedule, battle rhythm, and culture.

• Provide training and education in formal (e.g., presentation in a classroom) or informal (e.g., during an after-action review [AAR] at a range) setting. Provide coaching in real time as Soldiers are preparing, training, or performing (e.g., in the field, in the gym). Provide mentoring in a one-on-one engagement away from others; this could occur in an office, in the field, etc.

• Coordinate scheduling of facilities for Government approved courses, training, and classes as applicable.

• Assist in the training, education, coaching, and mentoring of Soldiers on goalsetting, performance profiling, visualization, performance development, and planning.

• Assist in discussing the optimal time (individualized) to use various cognitive mental readiness skills and strategies - preparation, execution, recovery - to facilitate performance and recovery optimization for Soldiers.

• Assist and advise in the training, education, coaching, and mentoring of leaders on supporting Soldiers as they apply goal-setting, performance profiling, visualization, performance development, and planning.

• Participate in periodic meetings with the Mental Readiness PD/Occupational Therapist (Tier 2), BDE PD and unit (BDE, Battalion [BN] or Company) leadership and inform on H2F System cognitive training and mental readiness programs and provide recommendations/feedback on Soldier/unit progression as required.

• Attend and participate in meetings with the H2F Performance Team as requested and/or required. Collaborate with the H2F Performance Team staff to enhance the quality and effectiveness of mental and human performance development and expertise delivered

• As appropriate, the CPS shall meet with embedded behavioral health teams, behavioral health officers, and Unit Ministry Teams (i.e., chaplains and Religious Affairs Specialists) who have identified Soldiers who would benefit from mental readiness or cognitive performance optimization.

• Conduct periodic literature reviews to help ensure the H2F Performance Team stays current with the mental readiness and cognitive performance evidence-based research. Support research and special studies conducted by the Mental Readiness PD/Occupational Therapist (Tier 2) and/or BDE PD

• Collect and report data in support of mental readiness and cognitive performance optimization programs to the Mental Readiness PD/Occupational Therapist and/or BDE PD. Data requirements and frequency will be coordinated with the Mental Readiness Director/Occupational Therapist and/or BDE PD.

• Participate in training program performance improvement per guiding instructions provided by the Mental Readiness Director/Occupational Therapist to ensure mental readiness and cognitive performance optimization training programs are aligned with industry standards. Provide input to reports outlining variances and recommendations for improvement to the Mental Readiness Director/Occupational Therapist.

• Document work performed, utilization, recommendations, and all other information. The Contractor shall track this information and provide to the Mental Readiness Director/Occupational Therapist and/or BDE PD

• Attend required training in accordance with organizational guidance

• Participate in periodic in-service training for members of the H2F Performance Team

• Track Soldier/unit progression and provide data to the BDE PD as required.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Required Education and/or Experience Qualifications

• Master's degree or a Doctoral degree in any field from an accredited college or university.

• Possess one of the following certifications/accreditations:

• Licensure as a psychologist with a proficiency in sports psychology as recognized in Division 47 of the American Psychological Association, OR

• Certified Consultant through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (CC-AASP) OR

• Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC), (formerly CC-AASP) OR

• If the candidate does not possess one of the above certifications, they may obtain the CMPC certification within two years of start date IF they possess a minimum of a Master's Degree in Human Performance, Sport Psychology, Kinesiology/Exercise Science, or Counseling/ Clinical Psychology from an accredited college or university

• Three years or more of demonstrable accumulated experience within the past five years as a mental performance coach or sport psychology practitioner with individual athletes and groups of athletes at the levels of NCAA Collegiate, Olympic, professional sports, and/or Service Members in the accompanying, respective settings.

• Knowledge of emerging best practices within the health and fitness industry.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite to include Word, Excel, and Teams.

• Must be able to clear a Tier 1 Government Security Investigation/Background Check

• Must not have been convicted of a felony.

• Strong interpersonal, oral communication and written communication skills in English.

• This position requires access to U.S. Government facilities and systems. U.S. Citizenship, a valid driver's license, transportation, and auto insurance are required.

• Must be able to adhere to the physical demands which are essential for the position with or without accommodation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctoral Degree

• Board Certified Sport Psychologist through the ABSP

• At least one year working directly with Service Members in a performance and/or resilience training and education setting

• Previous Military service

Physical Demands: Works in office areas. Sits, stands, bends, lifts, and moves intermittently during working hours. Uses a personal computer, telephones, copiers, printers, and other office equipment. Capable of properly lifting and manipulating loads or weights up to 45 pounds and capable of meeting physical demands of training in all types of weather with Soldiers, including the ability to hike over rough terrain, function in austere environments to observe Soldier training evolutions, and to train, educate, coach, and mentor.

Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here represent those employee encounters while performing this job's essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Competencies

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

• Customer Service

• Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; responds promptly to customer needs; solicits customer feedback to improve service; replies to requests for service and assistance; meets commitments.

• Interpersonal Skills

• Have the ability to read, write, and speak English and effectively communicate with Soldiers and leadership. Demonstrate sufficient initiative, interpersonal relationship skills and social sensitivity such that they can relate to a variety of Soldiers from diverse backgrounds.

• Oral Communication

• Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; demonstrates group presentation skills and participates in meetings.

• Written Communication

• Writes clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and grammar; varies writing style to meet needs; presents numerical data effectively; able to read and interpret written information.

• Professionalism

• Tactfully approaches others; reacts well under pressure; treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts responsibility