The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) Project Odyssey Specialist supports Wounded Warrior Project’s Mental Health and Wellness programs by serving wounded service members dealing with invisible injuries (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and combat stress) through Project Odyssey. The Project Odyssey Specialist plans, manages, and executes all aspects of Project Odyssey, providing support and resources to warriors and their families to enhance their resiliency and psychological well-being.
Note: Project Odyssey is a five-day outdoor experiential learning program that encourages wounded warriors to challenge themselves both physically and mentally while in a supportive environment. Project Odyssey is also delivered in a virtual space over the course of six to twelve weeks using a learning management system.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Screen, interview, and assess warriors and family support members’ who express interest in Project Odyssey (PO) and decide whether the warrior is, or the couple are, a good fit for and will benefit from participation in either a face to face model or virtual delivery.
• Evaluate and identify relevant mental health-focused resources for warriors or couples who are not currently ready for participation in Project Odyssey.
• Develop in person Project Odyssey mental health workshop agenda with intentionally planned activities focused on enhancing the mental health of attendees.
• Develop virtual Project Odyssey mental health workshop agenda with intentionally planned activities through learning management systems focused on enhancing the mental health of attendees.  
• Manage overall facilitation of Project Odyssey including selecting participants, conducting the activities, facilitating psychoeducational workshops, and debriefing. Determine removal of participants if necessary, with limited to no supervision from manager.
• Oversee participation in Project Odyssey. Adjust workshop agenda based on assessment of group dynamics, weather, and vendor availability. Identify and facilitate alternate activities as appropriate during the workshop.
• Provide continued care with Project Odyssey attendees over a twelve-week period through case management, mental health education focusing on resiliency and psychological wellbeing. Assist warrior’s and family support members’ and coordinate traditional or alternative therapy options as needed, e.g., Counseling, Intensive Outpatient Therapy, Inpatient Therapy, Equine Therapy, Vet Centers, and Mindfulness.
• Provide instruction and guidance and manage the progress of warrior’s and couples’ mental health-focused SMART goals.
• Maintain current and accurate data in WWP intranet electronic tracking systems, e.g., Salesforce.
• Conduct routine warrior outreach. Provide information on Project Odyssey programming to warriors, veterans, family support members, community, WWP teammates, and program partners.
• Leverage technical skills in the achievement of working and delivering programming in a remote environment.
• Learn and implement various modalities to execute on Project Odyssey and during follow-up, including a Learning Management Systems (LMS), Experiential Learning Models, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Gottman Couples Therapy.
• Lead a group of warriors and family support members through five days of experiential learning using approved and trained evidenced based mental health curriculum, with limited to no supervision.
• Lead a six to twelve-week virtual mental health workshop using approved and trained evidenced based mental health curriculum, with limited to no supervision.
• Manage multiple tasks, assignments and functions, meeting deadlines and deliverables with usage of metrics to meet key performance indicators.
• Other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

• High energy level. Self-starter; willing to take initiative.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills. Ability to interact effectively with diverse individuals and build effective relationships.
• Demonstrated emotional intelligence. Ability to respond to sensitive matters with diplomacy and empathy. Demonstrated understanding of relationship management and partnering.
• Effective organizational and time management skills. Effectively complete assignments and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to travel in support of WWP programs and services outreach.
• Demonstrated ability to engage in highly physical outdoor activities and events, e.g., high and low ropes courses, water sports, hiking, climbing, and horseback riding.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills. Good presentation skills. Confident communicator with demonstrated ability to present information effectively, e.g., to large audiences, small groups, and individuals.
• Demonstrated ability to establish credibility, be decisive, influence others, and influence change.
• Demonstrated understanding of Wounded Warrior Project and its mission, values, programs, and services, and the impact of these programs and services on wounded warriors and their families.
• Unequivocal commitment to the highest standards of personal and business ethics and conduct.
• Mission-driven, guided by core values, and a pleasure to work with.

EXPERIENCE

Requirements

• Four years of experience working with veteran-focused mental health programming or case management and assisting military and veteran populations in support of their mental health well-being and readjustment.
  • Three years of veteran-focused mental health programming or case management experience plus a master’s degree in psychology mental health counseling, human services, social work, rehabilitation counseling, or related mental health field, may be substituted for this four-year experience requirement.

Preferences

• Three years of experience working with brain injuries or mental health case management.
• Two years of experience designing evidence-based programs.

EDUCATION

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, mental health counseling, human services, social work, rehabilitation counseling, or related mental health field. Equivalent combination of education, experience, training, and certifications may be considered in lieu of degree.

Preferences

• Master’s degree in psychology, mental health counseling, human services, social work, rehabilitation counseling, or related mental health field.

CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSURES

• Valid state-issued driver’s license.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Participation in highly physical and demanding outdoor activities and events under varying weather conditions, e.g., high and low rope courses, water sports, hiking, climbing, horseback riding.
• Lodging in various environments e.g., hotels, cabins, yurts, camping.
• Up to 50% travel.
• Lifting and carrying items up to 50 pounds.