Job posted by Center for International Development and Conflict Management
Institution: University of of Maryland
Location: College Park, MD
Education: BA/BS required, MA preferred
Deadline: Feb. 11, 2014

Position Summary/Purpose of Position:

The person hired will serve as a Simulation Developer supporting the ICONS Project’s growing portfolio of simulation-based research, education, and professional training programs. A substantial portion of this position’s time will be devoted to supporting a project looking at U.S. strategic planning in the Asia-Pacific region. The open position is for a 1-year contract, with the opportunity to renew based on performance and availability of funding. The first nine months of the project are grant funded.

The ICONS Project creates simulations and scenario-driven exercises to advance participants’ understanding of complex problems and strengthen their ability to make decisions, navigate crises, think strategically, and negotiate collaboratively. For 30 years, the Project has been at the nexus of innovative research using participant-driven simulations. From policy planning exercises on national security, to basic research in political science, crisis behavior, education theory, psychology, and linguistics, ICONS has supported and contributed to a wide range of disciplines.

The open position will join the Project’s simulation development team, reporting to the directors of the Policy & Research and Education programs. Seventy five percent of the hire’s effort will be devoted to supporting the above-mentioned project in the Policy & Research program. The remainder will be spent on general simulation development and maintenance tasks for the Project.

Duties:

• Conduct research to support development of a new participant driven simulation exercise on U.S. strategic planning in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Support delivery of simulation exercises and analysis of results.
• Work with Education, Policy, and Training program directors to develop client scenarios and support.
• Conduct research to revise and update current simulation products as needed.
• Pilot test new simulation scenarios.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BA/BS required.
• Experience in or knowledge of the Asia-Pacific region or U.S. national security issues required.
• Well-organized, detail-oriented, and able to multi-task in an often fast-paced environment.
• Superb oral and written communications skills.
• Experience with standard business productivity software (i.e., word processing, e-mail, spreadsheets, presentation, etc.) and with Web-based software (Web-browsing and similar on-line applications and tools).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters degree.
• Creative writing or game design experience.
• Previous experience with face-to-face and computer-assisted game development a plus.
• Knowledge of or experience with international security issues generally a plus.
• Knowledge of China, India, Korea or Japan specifically a plus.