Job Summary

Wounded Warrior Project’s (WWP) Combat Stress Recovery Program (CSRP) is designed to provide ongoing support to wounded warriors dealing with invisible injuries through comprehensive assessment of warrior needs, planning, and implementation of resources to best address and support those warrior needs. The overall goal of the Combat Stress Recovery Program is to enhance the quality of a warrior’s resiliency and psychological well-being. This non-clinical position is responsible for tracking the warrior’s progress while he or she is enrolled in the Combat Stress Recovery Program as well as provide PTSD and combat stress related support to warriors engaged by other WWP teammates and programs.

The Combat Stress Recovery Program Specialist works closely with the Combat Stress Recovery Program manager in the planning, coordinating, and execution of Project Odysseys for warriors dealing with PTSD and combat stress.  Project Odyssey® is an outdoor experiential learning program that allows warriors to challenge themselves both physically and mentally while in a supportive environment. 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Assist with the planning, coordination, execution, and participation of Project Odysseys. This includes the requirement to participate in highly physical, experiential learning activities (e.g., high and low ropes courses, water sports, hiking, climbing, and horseback riding). Assist in the coordination of support resources to assist warriors in the achievement of his or her readjustment goals with internal and external resources, programs, and agencies
• Conduct routine warrior outreach and needs assessment using specific criteria identified by Wounded Warrior Project
• In support of Project Odyssey events, conduct location scouting/vetting, scheduling, preparation and revision of vendor contracts, and coordination of warriors’ travel and logistics.
• Serve as the subject matter expert and trainer for suicide prevention training, adventure-based learning, and couples programming.
• Assist with the coordination and development of external training initiatives and other related online programming.
• Communicate and promote the use of relevant resources (both internal and external) to warriors
• Coordinate resources to empower warrior recovery and promote psychological well-being
• Assess warrior’s progress in pursuit of goals
• Provide external referrals to warriors, their families, and caregivers, who have been identified as possibly benefiting from counseling, peer group support, or other psychological services
• May be responsible for designing evidence based programs (e.g., psycho-educational briefs) and participating with other WWP programs to assist warriors in identifying psychological triggers and providing potential coping skills that may assist warriors in overcoming mental well-being barriers to their successful reintegration into civilian life
• Develop and encourage a collaborative relationship with warriors to maximize the warrior’s ability to make informed decisions utilizing a warrior centric model within organizational parameters
• Complete warrior outreach assessment and the implementation of resources to meet warrior needs.
• Build relationships with external vendors, to assist in programmatic development, facilitating group activities, and providing constant support to Project Odyssey participants
• Be trained and certified to serve as an internal facilitator for education initiatives (e.g., SafeTALK, ASIST, Project Adventure, and other initiatives as developed)
• Conduct internal/external program briefs
• Assist with the development of psycho-educational material for internal and external workshops and briefings
• Develop and disseminate CSRP specific materials for other WWP teams
• Collaborate across all programs to increase alumni awareness of Project Odyssey, WWP Talk, Warrior Care Network, and other internal and external mental health resources
• Other related duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Excellent verbal, written, and electronic communication skills
• Self-motivated, positive, outgoing, personable and able to interact well with diverse populations and age groups
• High level of proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office programs (i.e., MS Word, MS Excel, Outlook and MS PowerPoint)
• Knowledge of web-based communication tools, including social networks and online chat programs (e.g., Skype)
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to take initiative and successfully multi-task
• Ability to work  well under pressure with timely results delivered
• Ability to conceptualize, develop and implement organizational and programmatic material and content.
• Must be a team player

Education & Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Rehabilitation Counseling, Case Management or related mental healthcare field required. A minimum of four (4) years’ experience working with veteran focused mental health programming or case management will be considered in lieu of advanced degree
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience working with and assisting military and veteran’s population with a minimum of two (2) years focused on health issues such as brain injury and post-traumatic stress, required
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience assisting military or veteran populations in support of development and readjustment preferred
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience working with brain injury or mental health case management preferred

Certifications & Licensure

• NA