Cognitive Specialist; CPS

Cognitive Performance Specialist (CPS)
437th Airlift Wing Human Performance Team (HPT) Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina 29404

The 437th Airlift Wing conducts some of the most demanding missions in the U.S. Air Force, including global rapid airlift operations, long-duration flights up to 36 hours, NVG low‑altitude ingress, and high‑altitude personnel delivery above 25,000 feet. These missions require exceptional cognitive resilience, mental acuity, and decision‑making under pressure.

Historically, aircrew relied on personal strategies to manage cognitive load and stress, often resulting in degraded performance and long-term fatigue. Modern operational requirements now demand a deliberate, science‑based approach to cognitive performance, mental readiness, and stress management.

The Human Performance Team (HPT) integrates cognitive, physical, and emotional performance strategies to enhance aircrew readiness and mission effectiveness.

The Cognitive Performance Specialist (CPS) provides expert-level cognitive skills training, mental performance coaching, and applied human performance psychology to mobility aircrew. The objective is to improve decision‑making, situational awareness, emotional resilience, information processing, and sustained cognitive performance in complex, high‑stress operational environments.

The CPS serves as a subject matter expert in sports/performance psychology, delivering individual and group cognitive training, developing performance programs, supporting applied research, and integrating cognitive performance with physical training to optimize aircrew readiness.

Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina. Work will be performed at a building/office designated by the Contracting Officer Representative (COR). Alternate work locations are not permitted unless formally approved. Telework is not authorized
.

• Normal Duty
  
  Hours:
  
  0730–1630, Monday–Friday
• Flexibility: Up to one hour earlier or later when mission‑dictated and pre‑approved by the COR
• Permanent schedule changes: Require Contracting Officer (CO) approval
• Federal Holidays: Observed per Joint Base Charleston holiday schedule
• Travel: May be required; all travel must follow BTAR submission and approval procedures

Education

• Master’s degree in Psychology, Counseling, Human Performance, Kinesiology, Exercise Science, Sport Sciences
  , or a closely related field
• Specialization in Sport Psychology or similar required

Experience

• Minimum 5+ years providing cognitive performance services
• Experience in one or more of the following:
  • Collegiate (or higher) athletics
  • Professional athletics
  • Tactical athletics
  • Aerospace industry
  • Test pilot / astronaut / man‑machine high‑performance environments

Certifications

• Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) – Association for Applied Sport Psychology
• Current CPR/AED certification

Security Clearance

• Favorable Tier 3 (T3) investigation required for access to Secret information via briefings
• May begin unclassified duties with initiated T3 and written COR approval

Core Responsibilities

• Provide cognitive skills training to optimize aircrew mental performance
• Enhance decision‑making, situational awareness, emotional resilience, and information processing
• Support applied research in cognitive enhancement, accelerated learning, instructor development, and man‑machine interface

Tasks & Subtasks (PWS‑Derived)

1. In‑Processing & Training

• Complete all in‑processing requirements
• Participate in job‑specific training, simulations, and hands‑on learning activities

2. Cognitive Assessment & Program Development

• Analyze aircrew cognitive performance needs
• Develop…