Senior Wargaming Fellow

Position description

National Defense University (NDU) supports the joint warfighter by providing rigorous Joint Professional Military Education to members of the U.S. Armed Forces and select others in order to develop leaders who have the ability to operate and creatively think in an unpredictable and complex world.

With general guidance from the CASL Director, the incumbent is responsible exploring tools, strategies, peer institutions’ programs, and other sources of information related to the incorporation of new innovative game design ideas and techniques as well as supporting the examination of various high-tech tools for current and future game design, development, and delivery needs. In consultation with the CASL Director, Division Directors, and supported with and by the CASL Wargaming Faculty, the Senior Wargaming Fellow & Innovation Chief will be responsible for helping CASL define strategies, develop case studies and use cases, and other technical and nontechnical documentation in support of CASL’s vision and mission which is in direct support of the NDU Vision, Mission, and its Strategic and Implementation Plans. Through this, the Innovation Chief will ensure that the National Defense University and its component Colleges and Departments receive consistent, world-class exercises, simulations, games, and workshops in support of their respective academic, research, and engagement missions

• STRATEGY & POLICY FORMULATION: The incumbent is responsible for translating the CASL vision and that of its Director into tangible tools and activities that enhance the learning environment within NDU via the Games, Exercises, Models, and Simulations (GEMS) conducted by CASL. S/he also provides support, advice, and guidance when necessary to other elements of CASL and the National Defense University regarding various tools and techniques that may have broader application that strictly GEMS.
  • Further, the incumbent provides advice to the Center Director and others on engagement with the larger GEMS and innovation units across the Department of Defense, the U.S. Interagency, and with a particular focus on the Professional Military Education community.
• ADMINISTRATION AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT: The incumbent provides general guidance and advice across CASL on specified tasks under his/her span of control. These include ensuring the Division Directors foster the development of innovative and high-quality exercises in support of the National Defense University and its JPME mission.
• SENIOR WARGAMER AND FACILITATOR: The incumbent provides expert guidance to CASL teams that are developing and implementing national and homeland security exercises and other experiential learning activities, with a particular emphasis on subjects related to stability operations, defense resourcing, transregional multi-domain warfighting, humanitarian assistance/disaster relief, homeland security, counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, and other emerging national security threats. For this position, particular emphasis will be on the development of high-tech solutions and tools in support of virtual and face-to-face exercises, simulations, and similar activities (i.e., use of Artificial Intelligence in game design and delivery, online exercise delivery options, etc.) The incumbent provides advice and support to the staff, faculty, and students of NDU and other Senior Service Colleges and the wargaming centers in order to assist in developing programs, research, exercises, and simulations in support of academic goals and requirements. The incumbent ensures CASL staff participate in the curriculum design and development process when requested by the faculty. The incumbent provides the Division Director guidance on how to determine effectiveness of the Division’s exercises and works with him/her to ensure that both meet the highest quality standards and support the sponsors’ requirements. The incumbent recommends changes to improve quality of CASL exercises and simulations. The incumbent often independently represents CASL in activities with OSD, Joint Staff and other government agencies and non-governmental organizations when directed. The incumbent participates in exercise execution and facilitation for academic and outreach populations.
• OTHER: Performs other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Conditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or be exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.ssa.gov/)
• Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit
• The position is governed by 10 USC 1595 and NDUI 1416.0l dated March 2017.
• Must be able and willing to travel both domestically and internationally. Travel is seldom required. Less than 20 % of the time.
• The incumbent must be able to successfully obtain and maintain a SECRET clearance.
• Financial Disclosure: In accordance with the Ethics in Government Act 1978, employee is required to file an OGE Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report upon appointment and will be required to file annually.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICAITONS:

1. A Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline such as computer science/engineering, digital game design, wargaming and simulation, artificial intelligence,
   • -OR- In lieu of one of the degrees (or similar technical degree) listed above, a Master’s degree in political science, history, international relations, economics, etc. AND additional significant (5+ years) experience in advanced/high-tech wargame and simulation design (i.e. use of artificial intelligence, virtual wargame design, etc.) is required for the position.
2. A minimum of 5 years experience in high-tech fields such as artificial intelligence, online game design (video or professional wargame), computer science or engineering, etc.
3. A mixture of academic research, academic writing, and performing teaching tasks related to national security and/or international relations and high-tech gaming/simulation experience can substitute for the five year technical experience. A total of 10 years in this combined area (technical and social science background will meet this qualification).
4. Ten or more years experience relevant to planning academic, policy-, or operationally-oriented programs and events, working with program stakeholders/clients to ensure the project meets the desired outcomes.
5. Ten or more years experience supporting the hosting of special events, conferences, or workshops in support of academic curricula or relevant professional expertise related to events, conferences, etc. in the high-tech/digital field.
6. Experience, education, and training in facilitating or leading group discussion, working groups or multifunctional/organizational committees.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Experience with use of artificial intelligence in government settings desired but not required.
2. Experience in the study of national-level policy formulation, planning, implementation, and management of national security-related programs (e.g., humanitarian assistance/disaster relief, defense resourcing, homeland security, transregional multi-domain warfighting, cybersecurity, or stability and reconstruction operations).
3. Experience with Microsoft Office suite tools, Adobe suite tools, video editing tools, GIS tools, modeling/simulation tools, and/or knowledge related to relevant social science work including pedagogy, adult learning, organizational science, group dynamics, psychology, and sociology.
4. Relevant practical experience in the national and/or homeland security field is strongly preferred, and experience in wargaming, or demonstrated potential in teaching, engagement, scholarship/research, or professional contributions is preferred.

Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills, and can provide valuable training and experience that translates to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Education Requirement: A Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline such as computer science/engineering, digital game design, wargaming and simulation, artificial intelligence, -OR- political science, history, international relations, economics, etc. (with significant technical experience as noted in requirements section) is required for the position.

Official Transcripts: Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if the position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified PRIOR to appointment, if selected for the role.
* An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence PRIOR to appointment.

• • Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation upon request. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration.
  • For more information regarding evaluation of foreign education for federal employment, please visit the U.S. Department of Education.

 

 

Application instructions

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