Intercultural Competencies and Skills for Engagement Course Instructors

Job Description:
Summary:
The Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) USAF Special Operations School (USAFSOS) Theater Engagement Department has an on-going requirement for language, regional expertise and culture (LREC) training and education. Theater Engagement (TE) training and education will be carried out at AFSOC’s training and education institution, United States Special Operations School (USAFSOS) and at operational units (CONUS and OCONUS).

Specific duties may include, but are not limited to:
C100 COMP/C200 ENGAGE are culture-general courses for Special Operation Forces (SOF) Operators who will be engaging in direct, face-to-face interactions with international personnel as part of their duties. The courses seek to provide students with general knowledge and skills to quickly and accurately comprehend, then appropriately and effectively act, in a culturally complex environment to achieve the desired effect without necessarily having prior exposure to a particular group, region or its languages. C100 COMP is a one day introductory course that exposes students to intercultural competence concepts that are most likely to affect SOF mission objectives. Topics include, but are not limited to, comparative global culture descriptors, culture shock, comparative religion, and gender dynamics. In C200 ENGAGE, students will apply communication and negotiation skills in role-playing scenarios and will be exposed to a variety of hands-on exercises that will challenge their own cultural norms. Emphasis will be placed on conflict negotiations, working with the media, food and health in an intercultural context, and skills for working with an interpreter.

Plan and execute indoctrination, continuing education, pre-deployment education, and issues-based instruction for SOF and SOF enabler students to cultivate general knowledge and skills to quickly and accurately comprehend, then appropriately and effectively act, in a culturally complex environment to achieve desired effects without necessarily having prior exposure to a particular group, region or its language.

Create a variety of hands-on exercises to challenge students to understand and apply learned skills as they are needed to conduct actual SOF mission scenarios.

Direct students in the application of communication and negotiation skills in role-playing scenarios. Instructors of Intercultural Competence will be required to teach students application level knowledge of international negotiations, conflict management, and working with an interpreter.

Ensure course conduct is in compliance with USAF Instructional Systems Development (ISD) guidelines.

Create lesson plans, deliver instruction, and/or recruit expert guest speakers, as required.

Manage the curriculum development/review process to ensure course meets or exceeds the needs of SOF customers.

Develop curriculum materials necessary to facilitate on-line/blended learning and conduct monitoring of on-line courses.

Perform research via numerous means to provide accurate information.

Orchestrate and execute off-site training for requesting units at their location as available.

Required Qualifications:
Education:
Have at least a master’s degree with at least 18 under-graduate semester credit hours and 18 graduate semester hours directly related to cultural studies, international relations, anthropology, sociology, or other related academic discipline.

OR

Have at least 2 years of recent (completed within the last 18 months) experience teaching and a master’s degree in a closely related field to be approved by Government.

OR

At least 3 years as a Combat Aviation Advisor or related experience (e.g. Special Forces etc..) and a bachelor’s degree in any field.

Note: Official transcripts for each college degree claimed must be provided.

Note: Requests for waiver to this requirement may be granted in very specific circumstances when the applicant has significant relevant operational experience.

Note: The C200 ENGAGE course is a Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) accredited course and its instructors must be CCAF accredited. Therefore, C200 ENGAGE instructors must provide official college transcripts upon employment for CCAF accreditation.

Experience:
Have at least 2 years of experience teaching cross-cultural/intercultural studies to post-secondary learners.

Have experience developing curricula and teaching materials.

Preferred Qualification:
Master’s degree preferred, bachelor’s degree required in political science, conflict management, military science, international relations, regional area study, or related field.

Have a minimum of three years active or reserve experience as a US military member in a Special Operations Forces functional community (i.e. Combat Aviation Advisor, Combat Control Team, AFSOC career flier, Army Special Force or Civil Affairs)

Note: A waiver for the degree requirement will be considered on a case by case basis and approved by the USAFSOS Commandant.

Clearance: All personnel are required to have a SECRET clearance to be considered for this position.

Location: Classrooms for the instruction will be in Government-provided facilities on base. Primarily work will be conducted at the USAFSOS (357 Tully St., Hurlburt Field, FL 32544).

Travel: Travel outside the local area may be required to support the requirements of this task order.