Summary
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.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
All U.S. Citizens.
Duties
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
Requirements
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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.
- Experience, education, and training in facilitating or leading group discussion, working groups or multifunctional/organizational committees.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience with use of artificial intelligence in government settings desired but not required.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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.
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- 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.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You MUST upload a cover letter separate from your resume addressing the following hiring criteria:
Proposed Cover Letter Questions:
- Describe your experience in the fields of wargaming and simulation, particularly with focus on using digital tools and techniques for game design and play (including but not limited to AI, machine learning, digital wargaming and simulation tools, etc.
- Describe your experience in the fields of national security and international relations.
- Describe your ability and experience in teaching, scholarship, and service contributions that demonstrates strong leadership.
- Provide examples of how you have built productive relationships through professional interactions with colleagues, U.S. and foreign government officials and military officers, officials of international organizations, academics and/or private sector professionals. Describe the levels at which you have built those professional interactions.
- Provide examples of how you have built productive relationships through professional interactions with colleagues, private sector/high-tech professionals, government contractors, and similar organizations or people. Describe the levels at which you have bult those professional interactions.
- Describe your leadership experience in either Joint Professional Military Education, Federal government, or a national security related institution or industry.
Required Documents
You must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
- Résumé: The latest resume submitted will be used to determine qualifications. All conferred degrees and certifications should be included in your resume for full consideration
- Complete Assessment Questionnaire
- Cover letter with narrative responses answering hiring criteria questions listed in the "How you will be evaluated" section of this announcement. Failure to submit will result in an ineligible rating.
- Other Supporting Documents - Refer to the eligibilities section for documents to submit.
NOTE: Transcripts are not required at time of application submission. Your resume and narrative answers to the hiring criteria will be reviewed by the NDU screening panel to evaluate your qualifications for the position. If selected for an interview, official transcripts will be requested at that time to verify educational requirements are met.
Eligibilities Information: The following supporting documents are REQUIRED to verify your individual eligibility status. Not all will apply for each applicant. They MUST be received by the closing date of the announcement.
- SF-50 - (If applicable) Notification of Personnel Action for current or former federal employees- with the exception of current permanent NDU employees, please provide your most recent SF50 or the SF50 reflecting Career/Career-Conditional tenure and the highest grade held on a permanent basis.
- If you claim Veteran's Preference:
- You must submit a copy of your DD Form-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty", showing the dates of active duty service, type of discharge and the character of service. Alternatively, If you are a current military member in active duty service and do not have a copy of your DD Form-214, you must submit a written documentation (certification) from your branch of service certifying that you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions no later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted with your application for this position. The certification should also include your rank, dates of active duty service and what they condition of discharge is thought to be.
- If claiming 10-point preference and/or are a 30% or more Disabled Veteran, you must submit both a DD Form-214 or expected discharge documentation as described above AND a copy of a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or your branch of service certifying the presence of service-connected disability and indicating the percentage of disability
- If you are claiming eligibility based on 10-point derived veterans' preference (i.e. a spouse, widow/widower, or parent of a veteran claiming veterans' preference when the veteran is unable to use it), you must also submit a Standard Form 15 (SF-15) "Application for 10-Point Veteran's Preference" and any required documents indicated on the SF-15 to substantiate the claimed preference.
- Other documents identified in the announcement.
WARNING: Failure to submit a complete application package including any required documentation by the closing date of the announcement at 11:59 EST, or at the time of application for announcements with an extended closing date, may result in an ineligible rating and loss of consideration. To verify that your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status and More Information. The Details page will display the status of your application.
It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered or uploaded is received, legible and accurate. HR will not modify answers submitted by an applicant.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package. See required documents below.
Click 'Apply Online' to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account.
1. Follow the prompts to complete the assessment questionnaire and upload required documents.
2. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application.
3. Check application status by logging into your USAJOBS account, clicking Application Status, then More Information for this position. Return to an incomplete application by logging into your USAJOBS account and clicking Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Next steps
Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. The questionnaire will assess your qualifications for the job. ALL eligible applicants will be referred to NDU which will convene a board to review all of the applicants. NDU will contact the applicants directly they would like to interview. We will notify you of the outcome after each of these steps has been completed. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.
You will no longer need to call the HR Office to determine your application status. USAJOBS has added an alert setting to their system to drive status updates notification for applicants. You can elect to activate the proactive notification from your USAJOBS profile at any point during the application process to sign-up for automatic alerts when there are status changes for jobs to which you have applied.
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