Subject Matter Expert Instructor Fall 2026 VALEX, USAFA

Summary:

Yorktown Systems Group Inc. (YSG) is seeking qualified Subject Matter Expert / Instructors (SME/Is) for a temporary surge assignment supporting the Fall 2026 Validation Exercise (VALEX) at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA). Contract FA700026C0016 was awarded effective 3 August 2026. Current Government planning calls for SME/I arrival on or about 8 September 2026 preparation and training-area orientation beginning 8-9 September VALEX execution from Thursday evening 17 September through Saturday evening 19 September and departure on 21 September 2026. Team YSG anticipates up to 84 SME/Is organized into four group-aligned teams. Final shifts training lanes functional assignments and reporting instructions remain subject to the Government-approved VALEX course of action OPT 5 staffing breakout and Cadet Military Training Schedule. These positions are event-specific 1099 independent contractor engagements and are not year-round positions.

Event and Work Conditions:

• Contract and event status: Contract FA700026C0016 was awarded effective 3 August 2026. VALEX execution is scheduled for 17-19 September 2026. Remaining lane shift and assignment details will be confirmed through ongoing USAFA planning and final Government approval.
• Engagement status: Temporary event-specific 1099 independent contractor engagement subject to successful selection completion of onboarding and access requirements execution of the applicable independent contractor agreement and final staffing authorization.
• Projected assignment window: Selected personnel should be available to report on or about 8 September 2026 complete in-processing train-up evaluator preparation rehearsal and area-of-responsibility familiarization before execution support VALEX from 17-19 September and remain available for closeout and departure through 21 September 2026. Individual reporting dates may vary by assigned role.
• Accelerated readiness: Selected personnel must complete required contractor onboarding advance access actions USAFA-specific standards-of-conduct and Equal Opportunity training training-product familiarization safety preparation evaluator calibration and virtual or on-site rehearsals before supporting cadets. Designated USAFA personnel will lead and approve VALEX training plans and required instructor preparation.
• Execution schedule: VALEX is scheduled to begin Thursday evening 17 September and conclude Saturday evening 19 September 2026. The assignment may require early mornings evenings extended shifts night operations weekend work and preparation outside the primary exercise period.
• Current operating concept: There are multiple SME/Is expected to support approximately 4200 cadets across four group-aligned training areas. Current planning uses four teams of SME/I personnel with two SME/I Team Leads per group and an overarching YSG Program lead. Final staffing span of control and lane assignments remain subject to the final training plan approval.
• Work environment: USAFA and four designated joint operating areas/training sites in the Colorado Springs area. Work will include outdoor field and exercise conditions at approximately 7600 feet mountain weather and terrain extended duty periods and night operations. Some lanes may use airsoft training weapons or small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) under Government direction and approved safety controls.
• Assignment and compensation: Selection does not guarantee a specific number of days or hours. Final assignments and compensation will be based on Government-approved staffing requirements relevant experience specialty assigned responsibilities event duration and any Surge Team Lead duties. Rates will be communicated before execution of the independent contractor agreement.

Specific Duties May Include but Are Not Limited to:

• Complete event-specific preparation including contractor onboarding USAFA Equal Opportunity and standards-of-conduct requirements non-personal services boundaries cadet interaction expectations curriculum/facilitator guide review White Cell or observer-controller/safety evaluator preparation as assigned communications protocols data-capture procedures and rehearsal with WTAs or Team Leads.
• Execute approved instruction coaching observation evaluation support or exercise-control duties under Warfighter Training Advisor (WTA) Surge Team Lead and permanent-party oversight. Assignments may include scenario setup lane facilitation role-player/control functions delivery of approved injects communications and reporting support specialized warfighter skills instruction and lane reset or recovery tasks.
• Serve as a Surge Team Lead when designated based on experience and event requirements. Current planning anticipates two Team Leads for each group-aligned team of approximately 21 personnel. Team Leads coordinate assigned SME/Is under Team YSG management maintain accountability and span of control reinforce safety and reporting discipline synchronize with WTAs and the Operations and Training Coordinator and elevate execution issues without directing Government personnel or exercising command authority.
• Support one or more warfighting functional areas such as Command and Control Intelligence Information/OPSEC Fires Movement and Maneuver Protection or Sustainment. Personnel must remain flexible to support adjacent functions multiple exercise roles or changing lane assignments as Government-approved requirements evolve.
• Observe and document cadet or team performance using Government-approved evaluation rubrics run cards observation logs digital forms and the USAFA AAR format. SME/Is support performance documentation and timely AAR inputs through the Team Lead/WTA reporting chain; USAFA retains formal cadet evaluation and decision authority.
• Enforce approved safety standards within assigned responsibilities. Personnel are expected to use established knock it off procedures for immediate safety concerns and promptly report hazards deviations medical concerns or stop-training conditions through the Team YSG chain and designated TOC/Government channels.
• Participate in synchronization meetings briefs and AARs and provide concise observations on training execution cadet performance safety resource constraints and potential improvements. Land Mobile Radios are expected to be the primary exercise communications method; personnel must follow the approved communications plan and PACE procedures.
• Maintain professional contractor conduct including visible contractor identification appropriate boundaries with cadets compliance with approved training plans adherence to the Team YSG chain of accountability and use of required field attire and PPE. Photography is prohibited unless specifically approved in advance by USAFA Public Affairs/Strategic Communications.

Primary PWS Alignment: This position primarily supports PWS Task 3 Execution and Management. Limited support to Task 4 consists of performance observations and AAR inputs; limited support to Task 5 consists of using designated digital tools to record assessments and required event data.

Required Qualifications:

• Six or more years of relevant military operational and/or instructional experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in at least one applicable warfighting functional area: C2 Intelligence Information Fires Movement and Maneuver Protection or Sustainment.
• Experience delivering or facilitating military training in field exercise simulation or classroom environments.
• Ability to follow approved POIs facilitator guides scenarios and evaluation criteria and to document observations accurately and on time.
• Demonstrated safety mindset professional judgment and communication skills appropriate for a Government-led cadet training environment and performance under stress.
• Ability to perform assigned duties in field and exercise environments including extended periods outdoors and nonstandard work hours.
• Availability for the full assigned preparation execution and closeout window projected from 8-21 September 2026 and willingness to complete all required onboarding access training evaluation calibration and rehearsal activities before supporting cadets.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience as an instructor evaluator observer-controller/trainer exercise controller or training lane lead.
• For Team Lead consideration: demonstrated experience leading or coordinating instructors observer-controller/trainers exercise support personnel or training lanes; maintaining accountability and span of control; enforcing safety and reporting requirements; resolving execution issues; and communicating with senior exercise leadership.
• Experience with OPORDs/FRAGOs PACE planning tactical reporting post-mission debriefs fieldcraft or structured AARs.
• Experience supporting pre-commissioning cadet service-academy ROTC or comparable junior-leader development programs.
• Familiarity with digital assessment learning-management or mobile data-capture tools.

Security/Access: Must be eligible for USAFA installation and designated training-area access and successfully complete required background identity advance-roster and access screening within the compressed onboarding period. Current USAFA planning indicates that an active security clearance is not required for VALEX SME/Is. Access is expected to use an entry-access list and QR code or temporary credential process; CAC or other credentials will be required only if specified for an assigned duty. Personnel must comply with all CUI PII records-management device-use and photography restrictions.

Location: United States Air Force Academy and four designated training areas in Colorado Springs CO. Event-specific reporting locations staging areas and lane assignments will be provided in final reporting instructions.

Travel: Non-local personnel should be prepared to report to Colorado Springs on or about 8 September 2026 and remain through projected departure on 21 September 2026. Assignment-specific travel authorization reporting instructions lodging transportation and reimbursable travel terms if applicable will be addressed in the independent contractor agreement or task authorization.

Engagement: Anticipated 1099 independent contractor assignment. The contract has been awarded; this requisition supports event-specific recruiting and remains subject to final staffing authorization successful onboarding and execution of an independent contractor agreement. It does not constitute an offer guarantee of work or commitment to a minimum number of days or hours.

Compensation: Role-specific rates are being finalized. Compensation will be based on a daily rate of pay and aligned to relevant experience specialized qualifications assigned position and additional Team Lead responsibilities if applicable. Final rates will be provided before engagement.