Cognitive Performance Specialist - USAR H2F (MN, Ft Snelling)

About the role

Interactive Government Holdings (IGH) is seeking qualified, trained and capable individuals to serve as Cognitive Performance Specialists for the Army Reserve Holistic Health and Fitness Performance Team. The Cognitive Performance Specialist is a contractor position supporting U.S. Army Reserve personnel through evidence-informed education, coaching, and performance-development services. The specialist helps Soldiers and unit leaders strengthen attention, decision-making, resilience, confidence, stress management, communication, and other mental skills that contribute to readiness and sustained performance. Services will be delivered in coordination with the designated government lead and in accordance with the contract statement of work, installation requirements, and applicable Army policies. This position is located in Minnesota – Lead ARS (Ft Snelling) and is full‑time.

Responsibilities

• Maintain expert knowledge of current Army standards, doctrine, and regulations related to H2F, including FM 7-22, the Army Fitness Test (AFT), Combat Fitness Test (CFT), AR 600-9 (The Army Body Composition Program), and AR 350-1 (Army Training and Leader Development).
• Collaborate as a cohesive, interdisciplinary team to provide holistic and integrated H2F support, ensuring that all domain programming is synchronized.
• Actively participate in required meetings, planning sessions, and working groups with Government personnel to synchronize HPT efforts with the unit Yearly Training Calendar (YTC).
• Maintain clear, consistent, and professional communication with unit leadership, the COR, and other stakeholders.
• Collect and provide accurate data for all required reports and deliverables, ensuring timely submission.
• Maintain all professional credentials, licensures, and certifications required for the position at no cost to the Government and in accordance with DHAPM 6025.13.
• Complete all mandatory Government training (e.g., Antiterrorism Level 1, OPSEC, Cybersecurity Awareness, HIPAA, Combatting Trafficking in Persons) within the specified timeframes.
• Adhere to all applicable DOD, DHA and Army instructions, policy manuals, regulations, policies, SOPs, and the highest professional ethical standards.
• Perform pre-approved travel to support unit training events, workshops, and other H2F functions; submit pre‑approval requests with estimated costs and itineraries to the COR at least ten business days in advance and provide trip reports or After‑Action Reviews upon return.
• Conduct recurring knowledge transfer and train Government‑designated personnel to maintain and use contractor‑developed strategies, curricula, and resource materials.
• Maintain current editable native source files, supporting documentation, and version histories in the Government‑designated repository.
• Program Development & Education: Design and implement a comprehensive mental readiness training program based on the principles of performance psychology; develop and provide practical mental skills resources (e.g., tip sheets, guided audio exercises, leader discussion guides) for distribution and use.
• Training & Coaching: Train Soldiers in evidence‑based cognitive skills to enhance performance under pressure; core topics include attention control, goal setting, energy management, stress inoculation techniques (e.g., deliberate breathing, mindfulness), visualization, and effective self‑talk.
• Integration & Mentorship: Conduct both classroom instruction and field‑based coaching, integrating cognitive skills into relevant military training such as marksmanship, field exercises, and leadership reaction courses; coach and mentor unit HITs, providing reach‑back support, advanced skill training, and subject matter expertise to enhance the unit's organic capabilities.

Qualifications

• Education: Doctoral degree in Psychology, or Master’s degree in Kinesiology, or a related field with a specialized focus in sport or performance psychology from an accredited university.
• Credentials: Certification as a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) from the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) is preferred.
• Experience: A minimum of three (3) years, in the last four (4) years post‑graduation of relevant experience providing mental skills training and cognitive performance enhancement services to athletes, military personnel, or other high‑performing groups.
• License: Contract workers requiring licensure shall have and maintain a current, valid, unrestricted license specific to the position (with no limitations, stipulations or pending adverse actions) in one of the 5