Cognitive Performance Specialist

At GDIT, people are our differentiator. As a Cognitive Performance Specialist you will help ensure today is safe and tomorrow is smarter. Our work depends on Cognitive Performance Specialist joining our team.

The Cognitive Performance Specialist shall train and educate agency personnel, in individual and group settings, in specific cognitive, mental, behavioral, psychosocial, perceptual, learning, adaptive thinking, human engagements, and emotional control skills, strategies - including understanding, acquisition, and retention - performance improvement and maintenance with documentation of work performed, implemented, and provided to personnel.

HOW A COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE SPECIALIST WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE:

• Based on evidence-based peer-reviewed literature train and educate agency personnel, in individual and group settings, in specific cognitive, mental, behavioral, psychosocial, perceptual, learning, adaptive thinking, human engagements, and emotional control skills, strategies - including understanding, acquisition, and retention - performance improvement and maintenance with documentation of work performed, implemented, and provided to agency personnel.
• Assists and advise the HP Program Manager and/or Coordinator in matters relating to mental performance, exercise and sports psychology.
• Provides information about cognitive performance, exercise and sports psychology factors in sports, exercise, and physical activity.
• Trains and educates on goal setting, performance profiling, visualization, performance development, and planning.
• Participates in periodic meetings to review human performance training provided to patients and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Attend and participate in meetings with other staff members and medical personnel as requested and/or required.
• Collaborates with the HP staff to enhance the quality and effectiveness of mental and human performance development and expertise delivered.
• Conducts periodic literature reviews to ensure HP stays current with the provision of care.
• Supports research conducted under supervision of the HP program Manager and/or Coordinator.
• Assists the HP Program Manager and/or Coordinator in developing and maintaining practice guidelines to ensure consistency of service across all Human Performance Training Centers (HPTCs).
• Proficiently utilize computers, software, and technologies as required and requested by the HP program manager and/or coordinator and required by headquarters agency staff.
• Maintains 100% compliance with local mandatory command training requirements.
• Attends required training in accordance with guiding instructions. Commands will allow for attendance at necessary conferences or courses to complete continuing education units required to maintain certification.
• Documents work performed, utilization, referrals, and all other information in the HP Enterprise- wide database (i.e., Smartbase), as directed by HP program Manager and/or Coordinator and required by headquarters and staff.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must have a minimum of 3 years or more post-graduate degree of demonstrable accumulated experience (continuous and sustained experience preferred) as a cognitive performance practitioner or Sport Psychologist with military members, athletes, groups of athletes at the levels of NCAA Collegiate, Olympic, professional sports, tactical setting, or with individuals or groups requiring high levels of mental and physical performance (experience with Special Operations personnel preferred).
• U.S. Citizenship.
• Must be capable of properly lifting and manipulating loads or weights up to 25 kilograms and capable of meeting physical demands of training with agency personnel including the ability to hike over rough terrain, function in austere environments and on various fixed or rotary wing aircraft, waterborne craft, or ground transport to observe agency personnel training evolutions and to conduct training and education.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO SUCCEED:

EDUCATION: Master's degree (Doctoral degree preferred) in Human Performance, Kinesiology, or Exercise Science, and/or Sport Sciences with a specialization in Sport Psychology.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS:

• Must have a certificate of completion of training for heart rate variability (HRV) through the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA) or a relevant certification through BCIA. Or, at least 1 year of demonstrable experience delivering HRV training in a high-performance setting and be willing to obtain the BCIA HRV certificate of completion for HRV within 12 months of hire.
• May be required to receive and maintain cognitive enhancement certification as required by hiring unit, such as BCIA biofeedback certification.

PREFFERRED EXPERIENCE/SKILLS:

• Prior military experience is desired

CLEARANCE: Must possess a Top-Secret Clearance with the ability to obtain a SCI

LOCATION: Various OCONUS & CONUS SITES

This is a contingent posting, expected to start in 2026.

GDIT IS YOUR PLACE:

• 401K with company match
• Comprehensive health and wellness packages
• Internal mobility team dedicated to helping you own your career
• Professional growth opportunities including paid education and certifications
• Cutting-edge technology you can learn from
• Rest and recharge with paid vacation and holidays

Work Requirements