Cognitive Performance Specialist

SCT; Frankfort (KY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision

401(k) Matching

PTO & Holidays

Life & Disability Insurance

Job summary

SCT is seeking an experienced Cognitive Performance Specialist to support Army National Guard H2F initiatives. The role develops cognitive readiness programs, coaches Soldiers, and mentors Masters Resilience Trainers to sustain mental training between unit assemblies.

The position requires a Master’s/Doctoral degree in psychology-related fields and at least three years of postgrad experience. On-site in Frankfort, KY with occasional travel; salary range $70,000–$78,000 plus comprehensive

Qualifications

• Master’s or Doctoral degree in Psychology, Counseling, or Kinesiology with sport/performance focus.
• Minimum of three years’ postgraduate experience providing mental skills training.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement a comprehensive mental readiness training program based on performance psychology.
• Develop practical mental skills resources such as tip sheets and guided audio exercises.
• Train Soldiers in cognitive skills to enhance performance under pressure, including attention control, goal setting, and stress inoculation.
• Teach stress-response techniques, including deliberate breathing and mindfulness.
• Conduct classroom and field coaching; integrate cognitive skills into training scenarios.
• Coordinate with H2F specialists to align cognitive programming with unit priorities.
• Mentor unit Master Resilience Trainers and H2F-Integrators through reach-back support.
• Provide documented mentorship to at least 80% of designated H2F Integration Teams each quarter.

Skills

Mental skills training

Cognitive performance

Coaching

Instructional delivery

Education

Master’s or Doctoral in Psychology/Counseling/Kinesiology (sport/performance focus)

Job description

SCT is a firm that partners and collaborates with our clients to deliver results and navigate complex challenges. We bring specialized expertise in strategic planning, organizational effectiveness, data analytics, talent management, human capital management, and PMO services. Our core values, that we apply to everything we do, are Integrity, Superior Value, Excellence, Teamwork, Empowerment and Continuous Learning.

We value highly and therefore cultivate a collaborative working culture that emphasizes each employee's strengths and interests in building our team and delivering for clients.

Description

SCT seeks an experienced Cognitive Performance Specialist (CPS) to support a proposal for Army National Guard Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) Performance Team services. The CPS supports Soldier readiness by developing and delivering programs that enhance cognitive readiness, mental skills, and human performance. The CPS works directly with Soldiers, unit leaders, and other H2F Performance Team specialists to improve focus, self-regulation, adaptability, confidence, sleep-related performance habits, and stress-response skills. This position also coaches and mentors unit Master Resilience Trainers and H2F-Integrators to strengthen the unit’s organic ability to sustain mental readiness training during military training and between unit assemblies.

Duties

• Design and implement a comprehensive mental readiness training program based on the principles of performance psychology.
• Develop and provide practical mental skills resources, including tip sheets, guided audio exercises, and leader discussion guides.
• Train Soldiers in evidence-based cognitive skills to enhance performance under pressure, including attention control, goal setting, energy management, stress inoculation, visualization, and effective self-talk.
• Teach practical stress-response techniques, including deliberate breathing and mindfulness.
• Conduct classroom instruction and field-based coaching, integrating cognitive skills into marksmanship, field exercises, leadership reaction courses, and other relevant military training.
• Coordinate with H2F Performance Team specialists to synchronize cognitive performance programming with other H2F domains and unit training priorities.
• Coach and mentor unit Master Resilience Trainers and H2F-Integrators through reach-back support, advanced skill training, and subject matter expertise.
• Provide documented mentorship to at least 80 percent of designated H2F Integration Teams each quarter.
• Maintain expert knowledge of applicable Army H2F standards, doctrine, and regulations, including FM 7-22, the Army Fitness Test, AR 600-9, and AR 350-1.
• Maintain professional communication with unit leadership, Government representatives, and other stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Master’s or Doctoral degree in Psychology, Counseling, or Kinesiology, with a specialized focus in sport or performance psychology, from an accredited university.
• A minimum of three (3) years of relevant postgraduate experience providing mental skills training and cognitive performance enhancement services to athletes, military personnel, or other high-performing groups.

Professional Certifications

• Certification as a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) highly desired.
• Maintain all required professional credentials, licenses, and certifications throughout employment.

Operational Requirements

• Possess a valid Class C operator’s permit/driver’s license and the ability to become licensed to operate GSA fleet vehicles and commercial rental vehicles within 180 days of employment.
• Must be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends, to support ARNG weekend unit assemblies, periods of unit annual training, and other scheduled events.

Location: Frankfort, KY - Primarily on-site at the government location, with travel to support unit training events, workshops, and other functions; occasional telework may be authorized, subject to government approval.

Compensation: The anticipated salary range for this full-time position is $70,000 to $78,000 annually. The final salary offered will be determined based on factors such as the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and contractual requirements, as applicable.

SCT offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible full-time employees, including medical, dental and vision coverage; employer paid basic life and short-term disability insurance; voluntary supplemental insurance options; paid time off and paid holidays; and a 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching, subject to plan eligibility requirements.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in SCT’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.