Postvention SME

Join Exigent Services as a Postvention Subject Matter Expert (SME) and be part of a dynamic team that supports the Defense Suicide Prevention Office (DSPO) directorates in Alexandria, VA with subject matter expertise in the areas of analyzing trends and patterns in suicide postvention data, developing and evaluating evidence-based prevention and postvention programs, collaborating with military and civilian stakeholders to implement initiatives, providing expert consultation on social work practices related to suicide postvention, and contributing to policy development and program improvement efforts. This position will also support the Wounded Warrior Project with subject matter expertise.  This position is REMOTE.

The Subject Matter Expert (SME) will:

• Provide knowledge and expertise relevant to mental health and suicide prevention to all stakeholders
• Utilize interpersonal skills to create a safe environment conducive to supporting and acknowledging crisis vulnerabilities
• Collaborate with various organizations to conceptualize, plan, and summarize observations
• Offer insights on mental health stigma and its impact on military personnel
• Guide best practices for supporting individuals in crisis
• Provide expertise on suicide postvention policies, frameworks, best practices, and emerging trends
• Advise Government leadership and project teams on postvention response planning and implementation strategies
• Support development and refinement of Military Service-specific postvention resources and response planning materials
• Provide technical input for funeral director, embassy, JMAS, and correctional facility deliverables
• Provide expertise on trauma-informed care principles, psychological safety, and safe messaging practices
• Support lived-experience engagement initiatives and sensitive stakeholder collaboration activities
• Support interpretation of Postvention Registry System (PRS) findings and Suicide Related Trend (SRT) reviews
• Contribute expertise to working groups, meetings, and Suicide-Centered Lived Experience Summit planning activities
• Review reports, training materials, communication products, toolkits, and guidance documents for clinical accuracy and cultural appropriateness
• Translate research findings into practical recommendations, tools, and decision-support products
• Support quality assurance and continuous improvement activities
• Lead the technical content development for suicide loss, suicide attempt response, post-intervention recovery, and reintegration guidance
• Provide evidence-informed direction for the Postvention Response Plan, Post-Intervention Response Plan, Reintegration Plan, awareness booklet, pocket guide, and related training curricula
• Ensure all materials reflect survivor-centered, culturally grounded, non-clinical support principles that promote safety, connection, stigma reduction, and appropriate escalation pathways

The SME will have:

• Bachelor's degree in social work, public health, psychology, sociology, education, human development, or a related social science field
• Certification in Social Behavior
• Extensive knowledge of mental health stigma and its implications
• Strong interpersonal skills and competencies
• Proven ability to create safe and supportive environments for discussing sensitive topics
• Experience collaborating with diverse organizations on mental health initiatives
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Familiarity with military culture and the unique challenges faced by service members
• Demonstrated experience in suicide prevention and postvention programs
• Behavioral health program development and support experience
• Experience with safe messaging related to suicide prevention and postvention
• Advanced knowledge of suicide postvention principles and best practices.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, facilitation, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and virtual collaboration tools.

Additional Qualifications:

• Master's or Ph.D. in a relevant field
• 5+ years of academic studies in Psychology
• Experience working with vulnerable work fields with a high suicide rate
• Familiarity with crisis intervention techniques
• Experience in program development or evaluation related to mental health initiatives
• Ability to work effectively in interdisciplinary teams
• Familiarity with ethical considerations in mental health research and interventions
• Knowledge of Federal Government, DoD, military, public health, or behavioral health environments preferred.

Compensation Exigent Services offers a comprehensive compensation package including: 401(k), Health, Dental, Vision, and Life/Disability Insurance.

Company Overview Exigent Services is a full-scope management consulting company that is ready “ON DEMAND” to offer a range of experts, technologies, cutting-edge teams of consultants, and strategic solutions and systems. With over 40 years of Federal Services, Exigent Services core competencies include: Planning Services, Cyberspace Exercise, Cyberspace Policy, Professional Services, Leadership Development, Training, Strategic Planning, and Human Capital Management.

EEO Commitment We’re an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer that empowers our people to fearlessly drive change – no matter their race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, or related medical conditions), national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, veteran status, military or uniformed service member status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local, or international law. 

Bachelor's degree in a relevant social science field, social behavior certification, suicide prevention and postvention experience, behavioral health program experience, strong communication and analytical skills, and Microsoft Office proficiency.

Key Responsibilities

• analyzing trends
• advising leadership
• developing guidance

Skills & Tools

Microsoft Office, Postvention Registry System (PRS), Suicide Related Trend (SRT)

Job Details

• Category: Research and Development (R&D)
• Seniority: Senior Level
• Commitment: Full Time
• Workplace: Remote — Maryland or Alexandria
• Languages: English

Benefits

• 401k matching
• Retirement plan

About Exigent Services

A management consulting company providing experts, technologies, teams, and strategic solutions to government and organizational clients. — Industry: Consulting Services