Exercise Specialist – NA-21

Location:      Washington, DC

This full-time position is for an Exercise Specialist in support of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Office of Global Material Security (NA-21) to assist in the planning, execution, and evaluation of relevant Department of Energy (DOE) and NNSA intra- and inter-agency exercises. These actions primarily consist of working with a small team to plan the exercise while supporting the exercise director and the evaluation team with finalizing exercise evaluation guides, inputting controller observations into a database, and drafting/reviewing exercise after action reviews.

The availability of this position is contingent upon contract award by the client (NNSA). Position requirements and responsibilities are subject to possible change depending upon client needs following award of the contract.

The position may require support outside of normal office hours, and domestic and infrequent international overnight travel.

Responsibilities:

• Provide technical, program management, and facilitation support and assistance with the development and conduct of table-top exercises, particularly around scenarios that involve radioactive materials in transport and radioactive material at fixed locations, such as hospitals and universities, scenario-based policy discussions, and other facilitated discussions, both in the United States and internationally.
• Provide guidance, consultation, and facilitation for the federal client and project team by planning, designing, executing, and evaluating exercises supported with exercise-related products.
• Support the planning and design phases to NNSA asset, intra- and inter-agency and national-level exercises by preparing and disseminating products, such as the Exercise Plan (EXPLAN), Controller/Evaluator (C/E) Handbook, Master Scenario Events List (MSEL), player briefings, and After Action Reports/Corrective Action Plans (AAR/CAP) in the Homeland Security Exercise Evaluation Program (HSEEP) format.
• Develop, coordinate, and assist in the implementation of annual exercise and training and staffing plans.
• Develop, schedule, and assist in the execution of all levels of training and administration of exercises.
• Provide operational and staff support to disaster preparedness requirements and Emergency Management, Consequence Management, Counterterrorism, and CBRNE (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive) programs.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (desired fields include Emergency Management, First Responder, Antiterrorism, and Security fields, or equivalent).
• 3–5+ years of experience in related Emergency Management, First Responder, Antiterrorism, or Emergency Preparedness fields, with prior experience in planning, designing, executing, and evaluating exercises preferred.
• Completion of the following Incident Command Courses: IS100A, IS120A, IS130, IS200A, IS700, IS800B, IS300, and IS400.
• Completion of the EMI Master Exercise Practitioner Program.
• Completion of the National Emergency Management Basic Academy.
• Demonstrated experience with the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
• Demonstrated writing and editing skills in the creation of documents and procedures.
• Willingness to work directly with clients in an environment that changes rapidly; must possess a mature approach to the personal interactions with others.
• Skilled in articulating complex issues at a level easily understood, in both oral and written form.
• Must be an independent self-starter with excellent organizational skills, an ability to multitask, and comfortable working with a team of technical experts in varying fields of security and emergency operations disciplines.
• Extensive experience with the Microsoft Office Suite and SharePoint, including advanced word processing using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Able to sit for extended periods and perform work in an office environment, including extensive use of computers.
• Candidate must have a valid Top Secret security clearance. DOE site access requires the qualified candidate be a U.S. citizen, have a valid Top Secret security clearance, and obtain a DOE “Q” security clearance within 30 days of employment. The candidate’s written consent to conduct a pre-employment background check and drug screening test for the purposes of obtaining a security clearance will be required as a condition of employment.
• Certain positions requiring a security clearance may require the periodic successful completion of a counterintelligence-scope polygraph examination.
• Ongoing reviews and tests for the absence of any illegal substances will be conducted as a requirement for ongoing access to DOE sites. The candidate’s written consent to conduct such tests will be required as a condition of employment.

Desired or Preferred Qualifications:

• Completion of the Homeland Security Exercise Evaluation Program (HSEEP): Basic Course #K0146.
• 3 years of experience with all hazards working in a state (or significant county or municipality) emergency management office.
• 3 years of experience participating in National Level Exercises (NLE).
• 3 years of experience planning and/or participating in interagency exercises at the federal or state level.
• Experience in planning or participating in cyber exercises.
• Experience in planning Continuity of Operations (COOP) exercises.