Cognitive Performance Specialist
About The Position
The Cognitive Performance Specialist supports human performance optimization and attrition reduction efforts within a high-risk military training pipeline at Camp Pendleton, California. This position provides subject matter expertise in performance psychology, stress management, and cognitive performance to enhance student resilience, improve training outcomes, and increase graduation rates. The Cognitive Performance Specialist works with students transitioning from conventional military units into advanced training environments, with a primary focus on preparing individuals for the cognitive and psychological demands associated with physically and mentally demanding training programs. Support includes development and delivery of interventions targeting stress management, performance under pressure, attention control, confidence, and cognitive resilience during challenging training evolutions. Emphasis is placed on mitigating attrition drivers such as performance anxiety, stress-induced performance degradation, cognitive overload under fatigue, and reduced decision-making effectiveness in high-pressure environments. This role integrates with training cadre and human performance staff to provide embedded support during training cycles, inform training design through data-driven insights, and implement evidence-based cognitive performance strategies that enhance student success while maintaining training realism and standards. This position operates in dynamic and demanding training environments where adaptability, professional judgment, and the ability to build trust with students and instructors are critical.
Requirements
- Minimum of five (5) years of combined experience in performance psychology, cognitive performance, or related field
- Master’s degree (MA or MS) in Sport or Performance Psychology, or related discipline
- Demonstrated experience applying cognitive or performance psychology principles in high-performance or high-stress environments
- Experience working with individuals or teams in demanding training, athletic, military, or comparable performance settings
- Strong understanding of stress physiology, cognitive performance under fatigue, and performance under pressure
- Ability to build rapport with students and influence behavior in high-stress, high-accountability environments
- Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of an integrated performance team
- Experience collecting and analyzing performance data to inform interventions and program improvements
- Ability to support dynamic training environments with frequent changes and varying conditions
- Ability to obtain and maintain a SECRET clearance if desired
- Ability to support extended duty days and non-standard work schedules as required by training cycles
Nice To Haves
- Prior military service, particularly within reconnaissance, special operations, or maritime units
- Experience supporting military training pipelines, assessment-based programs, and/or DoD operational environments
- Board certification or credentialing in sport or performance psychology (e.g., CMPC, AASP)
- Experience using biofeedback, neurocognitive tools, or simulation technologies to enhance performance
- PhD in Sport or Performance Psychology
Responsibilities
- Apply subject matter expertise in performance psychology, cognitive performance, and stress management to support students in high-risk training environments
- Design and deliver cognitive performance interventions focused on improving stress tolerance, attention control, emotional regulation, and performance under pressure
- Support efforts to reduce attrition within the training pipeline by identifying cognitive and psychological performance gaps and implementing targeted interventions
- Provide training and coaching to students on topics including stress inoculation, performance anxiety, confidence development, focus, and mental resilience
- Assist in preparing students for cognitively demanding events including prolonged physical exertion, sleep restriction, and high-pressure performance scenarios
- Observe training evolutions and identify cognitive and behavioral factors impacting student performance and success
- Provide performance feedback and coaching to improve decision-making, composure, and execution under stress
- Support development and refinement of training strategies and/or course curriculum that integrate cognitive performance principles into physical and technical training
- Assist project leadership with planning, scheduling, execution, and evaluation of cognitive performance support within the human performance program
- Collect, analyze, and interpret performance data to assess program effectiveness and identify trends related to attrition and performance outcomes
- Leverage tools such as biofeedback, simulation, or other cognitive performance technologies where appropriate or desired to enhance training effectiveness
- Collaborate with instructors, human performance staff, and leadership to ensure cognitive performance support aligns with training objectives and operational requirements
- Maintain documentation, reports, and assessments related to cognitive performance interventions and program outcomes
- Support high-tempo training cycles that may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, and extended training days
- Maintain professional readiness and adhere to all safety, training, and operational guidelines
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
