Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results

PROFESSOR

Department of Defense
Defense Security Cooperation Agency
William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The Perry Center supports the community of security and defense professionals in the Americas to pursue collaborative approaches to mutual opportunities and challenges. Through academics, research, and outreach, including ministerial-level consulting, we advance sustainable institutional capacity, strengthen the rule of law and democracy, and promote greater understanding of U.S. policy throughout the Western Hemisphere.

Overview

Help
Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
08/08/2025 to 08/15/2025
Salary
$130,010 to - $180,840 per year
Pay scale & grade
AD 4
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Fort McNair, DC
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Term - 3 years
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
4
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
DSCA-25-12780015-EB
Control number
842887900

This job is open to

Help

Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens.

Duties

Help

Introduction:
Serves as an interdisciplinary Professor at the William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies, at the rank of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Professor, or Professor of Practice. The incumbent is a subject matter expert in one or more of the following areas: national security and strategy, defense governance, cybersecurity/cyber defense policy, international development, human security, maritime security, human rights & rule of law, humanitarian assistance/disaster relief (HA/DR), political science, sociology, public administration, international law, law enforcement, international relations, defense economics, financial management, international peacekeeping and stability operations, and counter-terrorism.

The Center conducts graduate-level and senior executive programs in interdisciplinary education in Washington, D.C. and in countries throughout the Western Hemisphere. The Center's educational outreach program includes teaching, research, and outreach missions and tasks in the areas of national security planning, international security, national defense, civil-military relations, and public policy for security issues. Program of instruction consists of resident and in-region courses, seminars, and conferences; and support continuing education and outreach. The Center's academic programs assist in accomplishing the objectives for the Department of Defense, especially the Office of the Secretary of Defense, U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM), and U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and assists partner nations to enhance their capabilities as well as capacity for sharing knowledge and implementing collaborative projects.

Major Duties:
Incumbent develops, organizes, and teaches the curriculum in area(s) of expertise for the Center's programs related to the Western Hemisphere. Professor participates in individual and team instructional activities. Teaches appropriate elements of the curriculum, often team teaching and using virtual learning. Participates in the planning and development of the Center's overall program of study, to include curriculum-related workshops, and serves as project leader responsible for development and management of academic activities. Contributes to the professional development of faculty colleagues and mentors junior faculty members and staff. Develops opportunities for outreach activities with cooperating institutions from the United States and from countries in the Americas. Develops academic research and analysis in thematic areas directly related to the Center's missions. Assists in the organization of courses, seminars, workshops, and conferences in Latin America and the Caribbean. Maintains professional relationships with senior civilian and military academics, policy makers, and other professionals in the field and maintains active research and publication agenda related to curriculum interests. Serves as a research advisor to students and other faculty members and as a subject matter expert in collaborative initiatives within the Center and with other institutions. Participates in the formulation and execution of simulation exercises designed to reinforce mastery of learning objectives of the Perry Center academic program.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or be exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.ssa.gov/)
  • Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit
  • The position is governed by 10 USC 1595 and NDUI 1416.0l dated March 2017.
  • Must be able and willing to travel both domestically and internationally. Travel is seldom required. Less than 20 % of the time.
  • The incumbent must be able to successfully obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.
  • This is a Title 10 Excepted Service Appointment. Appointment is not to exceed 3 years with the possibility for extension.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Professor Required

An earned doctorate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education in a national security affairs related or other appropriate discipline or field.

Professor of Practice Required
An earned master's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education in a national security affairs related or other appropriate discipline or field as well as a minimum of fifteen years of relevant professional experience.

Desired Qualifications

  1. Experience in national security policy development with governmental and/or non-governmental organizations.
  2. Established network of professional contacts, especially with senior civilian and uniformed actors engaged in the Western Hemisphere's defense and security sector, LACC think tanks, universities, NGOs, and strategic studies centers.
Criteria for Determining Academic Rank
Professor Required
  • An earned doctorate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education in a national security affairs related or other appropriate discipline or field.
  • A minimum of 8 years relevant university-level teaching experience or equivalent level of instructional experience designing curriculum and teaching multidisciplinary subjects relating to defense and security studies impacting defense and security in the Western Hemisphere at a regionally accredited college or university.
  • Deep understanding of defense and security challenges, trends, and priorities in the Western Hemisphere. Demonstrated experience providing direction and management for LACC-focused academic programs by researching scholarly and policy material, designing andragogy, preparing relevant academic material to support programming.
  • Demonstrated in-depth experience in conducting scholarly and policy research with publication track record relating to contemporary and emerging defense and security issues in the Western Hemisphere (e.g., region-wide security trends; combating violent extremism and terrorism; enhancing defense/security sector institutional capacity, oversight, and accountability; and security cooperation).
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills and demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships across agencies and organizations.
  • Professional fluency in English, Spanish is required. Portuguese or French is desirable.
Professor of Practice Required
  • An earned masters degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education in a national security affairs related or other appropriate discipline or field
  • A minimum of 10 years professional or academic experience working on defense/security issues impacting the Western Hemisphere. Demonstrated experience/ability to advise Western Hemisphere leaders by explaining key defense and security concepts and exploring ways to apply them to problem-solving, policy development and institution strengthening in Latin American/Caribbean countries/ organizations.
  • Deep understanding of Western Hemisphere defense and security challenges, trends, and priorities.
  • Excellent multi-lingual communication and presentation skills and demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships across agencies and organizations.
  • Professional fluency in English and Spanish is required. Portuguese or French skills are desirable.
Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills, and can provide valuable training and experience that translates to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Education Requirement: An earned masters degree (PhD preferred) from a regionally accredited institution of higher education or, international equivalent, in a discipline directly related to national security, or similar disciplines/focus areas relevant to the duties of this position (education, international relations, public policy, political science, military history, strategic leadership, or related discipline).Official transcripts will be required at time of selection to verify educational requirements are met.

Official Transcripts: If the position you are applying for has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications (i.e. you would not qualify without the education obtained), you MUST submit transcripts with your application.

    • Official transcripts are not required at the time of application outside of what is outlined above; however, official transcripts must be verified PRIOR to appointment.
    • An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation.
  • FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying or prior to appointment as outlined above.
    • Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation upon request. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration.
For more information regarding evaluation of foreign education for federal employment, please visit the U.S. Department of Education

Additional information

DSCA has a comprehensive benefits package that includes retirement, social security, and thrift savings; health, life, and long term care insurance; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays. DSCA employees enjoy flexible work schedules, transit subsidy, and the opportunity to telecommute.

Background or Security Investigation: This is a Non-Critical position which requires a background investigation. The individual selected for this position is required to obtain and maintain a Secret security determination to occupy a Non-Critical position within the agency as a condition of employment.

Initial Probationary Period: You will be required to serve an initial probationary period of 18 months.

Reemployed Annuitants: Department of Defense has the authority to hire annuitants without reduction in pay. For more information, go to: http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/1400.25-V300.pdf

All applicants are encouraged to apply electronically. If you are unable to apply on-line, you may contact 317-212-4434 for assistance.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) leads, directs and manages security cooperation programs and resources to support national security objectives that build relationships that promote U.S. interests, build allied and partner capacities for self-defense and coalition operations in the global war on terrorism, and promote peacetime and contingency access for U.S. forces.

DSCA has a comprehensive benefits package that includes retirement, social security, and thrift savings plan (TSP); health, life, and long-term care insurance; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays. DSCA employees enjoy flexible work schedules, transit subsidy and situational telework opportunities.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

To qualify, you must meet the education and experience requirements described above. A NDU screening panel will review your resume and narrative answers to the hiring criteria to evaluate your qualifications for the position. NDU uses a multi-tier selection process for academic positions.

You MUST upload a cover letter separate from your resume addressing the following hiring criteria:

  1. Describe your ability to design, develop, and teach graduate-level seminar-based courses in a discipline related to national security at a regionally accredited college or university. Include number of years of full-time teaching in higher education.
  2. Describe your research experience, scholarship, publications, and/or outreach activities; academic recognition, or professional experience in a field related to national security strategy or policy.
  3. Describe your experience establishing and maintaining professional relationships with policy makers in the executive and legislative branches of government, industry leaders, and policy professionals in academic and non-profit organizations.
  4. Describe your leadership experience in educational and research institutions to include curriculum development, organizational innovation, and institutional collaboration. Include successful leadership of interdisciplinary teams and managing programs within the organization.
  5. Describe your experience working with faculty and student teams in a culture that prizes collegiality and collaboration.
Criminal History Inquiries- If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency @ dfas.indianapolis-in.zh.mbx.ssc-cc@mail.mil

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.