ACADEMIC SPECIALIST

Summary National Defense University (NDU) supports the joint warfighter by providing rigorous Joint Professional Military Education to members of the U.S. Armed Forces and select others in order to develop leaders who have the ability to operate and creatively think in an unpredictable and complex world. This is a Title 10 Excepted Service Appointment. Appointment is not to exceed 2 years with the possibility for extension. Major Duties: MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Academic Program Administration - 60% Manages, coordinates, and supports recurring academic processes required to execute CISA's academic programs, particularly at Fort McNair. Develops, integrates, maintains, and coordinates the CISA College calendar and the academic calendars and schedules for CISA's McNair-based programs. Reconciles College and program requirements with NDU academic calendars, holidays, major institutional events, and other scheduling constraints; identifies potential conflicts and recommends solutions to academic leadership; coordinates approved changes with faculty and affected offices; and maintains the official College and McNair program calendars throughout the academic year. Coordinates course and student academic processes, including course offerings, enrollment, registration, and related academic actions with academic leadership, faculty, the NDU Registrar, and other responsible University offices. Tracks recurring academic requirements, actions, and deadlines; identifies process issues; and recommends courses of action when academic leadership decision is required. Maintains documentation and tracks academic actions requiring review or decision by designated academic officials. Coordinates staffing of actions, ensures required documentation is completed, monitors actions through disposition, and maintains associated records in accordance with applicable CISA and NDU policies and procedures. Coordinates the academic components of student and faculty orientation, in-processing, and out-processing in conjunction with operations support staff. Provides guidance to students and faculty on academic systems, calendars, deadlines, and other program processes within the incumbent's assigned responsibilities. Coordinates course administration, including maintenance of required course information and documentation; ordering and distribution of required books and other instructional materials; maintenance of the purchased course-book orders and inventory for CISA's McNair-based programs; and coordination of copyright permissions and related requirements with faculty and responsible College and University offices, including the NDU Library. Administers assigned academic information and learning-management systems, including establishing and maintaining courses and associated information within those systems and assisting with enrollment in conjunction with the Registrar's office and service chairs. Works with applicable CISA and NDU offices to coordinate user access, address system-related issues, and provide guidance to faculty and students on system use. 2. Academic Policy, Governance, and University Integration - 25% Coordinates implementation of NDU academic policies, processes, and requirements within CISA's McNair-based academic programs. Reviews applicable University academic guidance and requirements, identifies implications for College academic processes, coordinates required actions with responsible University offices, and recommends actions when academic leadership decision or direction is required. Develops and maintains academic procedures, business rules, and standard operating procedures within assigned areas and consistent with established CISA and NDU policy. Reviews existing processes to identify gaps, inconsistencies, or inefficiencies; recommends improvements; and coordinates implementation of approved changes. Coordinates Academic Policy Council processes and other assigned academic governance activities, including preparation and staffing of agenda items, maintenance of academic policy and decision records, tracking of actions and decisions, and coordination of approved actions with responsible College and University offices. Works collaboratively with other CISA academic-management personnel to coordinate common academic processes, share effective practices, and provide continuity and mutual support. 3. Curriculum and Academic Program Support - 15% Supports academic leadership and faculty with curriculum management, program assessment, program review, and other academic program requirements. Coordinates associated processes, documentation, necessary adaptation, and actions within assigned areas of responsibility. Coordinates preparation, staffing, tracking, and maintenance of curriculum and program actions, including curriculum proposals, course changes, program reviews, and related documentation. Tracks actions through established College and University review and approval processes and coordinates implementation and documentation of approved actions. Supports recurring institutional academic requirements, including applicable accreditation and Joint Professional Military Education requirements. Coordinates and maintains associated information, documentation, and actions as required.