Internships with the Center

CETIS Research Assistant Positions

Description:

The Center for Terrorism and Intelligence Studies (CETIS), an independent division of the Akribis Group, is a research center dedicated to identifying, better comprehending, and accurately assessing the present and future security threats stemming from a variety of violence-prone extremists and their enablers. In an effort to improve existing scholarship, inform policy, and provide guidance about these important, specialized, and often arcane topics, CETIS undertakes in-depth, cutting-edge research and prepares innovative analyses of terrorist groups, clandestine and covert operations, and political and religious extremism.

At this time, CETIS, in cooperation with the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START), a Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence, is seeking Research Assistants to assist with the Global Terrorism Database (GTD). The GTD is currently the most comprehensive unclassified database on terrorist events in the world, and is an indispensable tool for government analysts and academics in the field of counterterrorism.

In the course of their work with CETIS, Research Assistants will:
- Receive training in critical thinking and counterterrorism analysis
- Apply knowledge of terrorist attack types and definitions of terrorism to analyze specific GTD incidents
- Perform in-depth open-source research on specific terrorist attacks and terrorist groups
- Benefit from access to the CETIS network of counterterrorism scholars

Qualifications:

Competitive applicants will either be enrolled in a graduate program or will have recently graduated, with highly qualified undergraduates considered as well. PhD candidates are especially encouraged to apply. The ideal applicant will have knowledge proficiency in Terrorism Studies or International Affairs, and excellent analytical skills.

Both full and part-time RA positions are open presently. There is a minimum time commitment for part-time positions of 120 hours between now and August 15, 2008. RAs may work from anywhere in the United States, provided they have reliable access to a broadband internet connection. The research assistant position is currently unpaid, but could be performed in exchange for academic credit, depending on the requirements of the applicant's home university.

To Apply:

CETIS currently has immediate openings for qualified applicants and applications are reviewed upon arrival. Please send resume and cover letter to Erin McNerney: emcnerney@start.umd.edu.

 

Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) Surgeon General: Medical CBRNE Internship
Position Description Colorado Springs, CO (1 Position)

Assist HQ AFSPC/SGO in developing and evaluation plans to meet current operational requirements and long-range strategic requirements for Homeland Security/Homeland Defense medical emergency response. Collect and review existing medical CBRNE and HLS/D medical response plans, training program, equipment/supplies inventories, inspection reports and any other document pertaining to the CBRNE/WMD program. Work with seven Air Force Space Commands Installations Medical Emergency Response Managers (MERM) to assist with identifying local community and installation HLD response capabilities and gaps. Work additional resources, supplies, equipment, manpower, Memorandum of Agreements (MOA) to close gaps and increase medical emergency response capabilities to a CBRNE event at each community and installation.

 

Washington Office (1 position)

The Norad Northcom WO intern will be involved in the Pandemic Influenza Global Synchronization effort currently entrusted to NORAD USNORTHCOM. The intern will attend meetings at the unclassified/secret level in order to gain situational awareness of the situation. The intern will assist with the preparation of a pandemic influenza continuity of operations plan for
the Washington Office and will also assist in folding that plan into an all hazards COOP plan.

 

N-NC Surgeon General (2 positions)

Full time, temporary position for University undergraduate interested in a career in Medical Homeland Defense/ Security. Requirements; able to obtain interim Secret clearance, computer skills appropriate for internet research, word processing, etc. Physical health appropriate for office work. Interested in independent (but guided) research on a variety of Homeland Security related medical topics; medical aspects of CBRNE events, Agro- terrorism, Pandemic influenza, medical surge, triage, force health protection, disaster communications, mental health effects of disaster, emergency public health. Able to work well within a small group, some prior public speaking experience desirable. Able to convey ideas effectively and succinctly in person and on paper. Will be participating in command wide exercises, (long hours). May require travel on occasion.

 

1 Air Force AFNORTH (1 position): 1 AF AFNORTH CONTINGENCY ACTION TEAM
(CAT)

Job Description: Intern will be an active participant in the planning, training and execution of tasks required of the AFNORTH Contingency Action Team (CAT). The intern will assist with the further development and refinement of AFNORTH/CAT processes as they relate to the Homeland Security/Defense mission and the Defense Support to Civil Agencies (DSCA)
role. Additional tasks will include reviewing appropriate plans associated with above missions and assisting with exercise planning and execution. Intern will work directly with A3T POC for lesson(s) learned formulation/validation, updating ALMS database, assigning OPRs for resolution and tracking progress. This intern would also assist A3T with regularly scheduled CAT training as well as special training session in preparation for exercises.

 

1 Air Force AFNORTH (1 position): 1AF History Office

Duties here at First Air Force/AFNORTH history office would be a combination of historical research, collection of primary source documents which detail the various Homeland Security operations and writing the history of these operations for the Air Force Record. The below is from the Air Force Historian job description.

Researches and writes the wing history. Writes the wing history, emphasizing problems encountered, solutions to these problems, and the wing's effectiveness in accomplishing its mission. Collects information that will ensure significant aspects of the wing's mission are preserved. Identifies, selects, and organizes a wide variety of primary and secondary sources, including personal interviews with the commander and other key officials, staff meetings, briefings, conferences, official correspondence,
e-mail, reports, studies, directives and instructions, published materials, and other internal and external sources. Critically evaluates source material to establish its relative value and veracity, considering circumstances at the time events occurred or decisions were made, objectivity of those presenting the information, and the consistency and quality of the information. Where significant evidentiary materials are ambiguous or inconsistent, conducts research to establish and verify the facts. Synthesizes historical facts with consideration of broad program directives and specific requirements. Writes the historical narrative and
includes the chronological sequence of events, including any charts, tables, and graphs required to support and supplement the text. Identifies sources of information through footnote citations and attaches supporting documents for future research and reference. Coordinates completed history with appropriate staff agencies prior to submission to the commander.

Conducts special studies and creates other historical products such as oral histories. Conceptualizes, plans, researches, and writes historical studies of broad interest and applicability throughout the wing, including such topics as long-term historical analyses of the wing's operations, advanced technology developments, and wing contingency operations. Researches and writes heritage pamphlets and articles for internal and external audiences. Advises wing leadership on historical matters, as
necessary.

 

NORAD and USNORTHCOM/J39 Information Operations Division

Support the manager of the Command Operations Security (OPSEC) Program. Duties to include: Review initial and refresher OPSEC training material; Assist in the dissemination of periodic OPSEC notices; Establish a continuity folder; Coordinate with Future Plans Cell and Future Operations Cell and regional commands; Liaison with Interagency OPSEC support staff;
Develop draft OPSEC provisions of command JOPES planning documents; Review command critical information list.

 

NORAD and USNORTHCOM/J4 Logistics and Engineering Directorate

In J43 Plans, we would expose an intern to the various staff actions we complete -- pub and doctrine reviews, the planning process, and the support agreement process. If there are contingency or exercise opportunities (the period of the internship is not defined precisely, but seems to coincide with hurricane season) we can also expose the intern to the J4 battlestaff
processes.

J42 will consider an intern who is computer literate and can help us create the interactive web tools we seek for the US Military Engineer Forces templates - as well as other Engineer Portal displays.

 

NORAD and USNORTHCOM/J5 Plans and Policy Directorate - Strategic Concepts Branch

Research, review, and analyze national level strategic documents such as the national Security Strategy, national Military Strategy, Homeland Defense and Civil Support Strategy, and supporting documents. The intern would also learn the Joint Capabilities Integration and development System (JCIDS) and how strategy documents are staffed at the Geographic Combatant Commander (GCC) level. Further, the intern would gain exposure to a Combatant Commander's staff and learn how a GCC staff functions within the defense establishment and interacts with other combatant commanders and the Joint Staff.

 

NORAD and USNORTHCOM/J63 Theater NetOps Control Center

Work in the theater NetOps Control Center, a 24/7 watch facility that
monitors and assesses theater communications and provides command's
leadership on how well communications supports ongoing and planned missions
and operations. Specific duties will include analyzing command, control,
communications and computers (C4) and cyber threat data from the department
of Homeland Security and NORAD and USNORTHCOM, defining gaps, seams or
shortfalls, and providing course of action recommendations to enhance
information flow and improve situational awareness.

 

Standing Joint Force Headquarters -- North/JPIT (Joint Pandemic Influenza Team), Colorado Springs, CO

Defense Educational Consortium Intern requested to help conduct Pandemic Influenza (PI) plan review within the Joint Pandemic Influenza Team (JPIT) of US Northern Command. Would serve as plan reviewer on team for synchronization of the DoD's global response to PI and preparing DoD's Global Campaign Plan to synchronize worldwide operations to mitigate and
contain the effects of PI . Challenges to include, but not limited to, synchronizing actions, requesting clarification, and identification of potential interagency support requirements based on interagency plans should a worldwide pandemic occur. Efforts to include identifying unanticipated Defense Support of Civil Authorities requirements established within interagency plans. Plan is to utilize the intern as a plan reviewer, briefing and VTC prep, etc.

 

MARFORNORTH, New Orleans, LA (2 positions)

Perform duties as a U.S. marine Corps Forces North (MARFORNORTH) G-3/5 intern. Support daily review of U.S Marine Corps Service Component responses to both U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and Headquarters Marine corps (HQMC) on various tasks, draft products, service memoranda, policy/program issues, Homeland defense (HLD) training exercises and draft plans in direct support of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Homeland Security/Homeland Defense mission. The intern will have frequent opportunity to make recommendations on aforementioned items and travel, on occasion, to external DoD commands and agencies for related briefs and meetings. Be prepared to perform contributing staff role in core
operational staff cells during normal daily operations, training exercises and real-world contingencies; operations, plans, and exercises and training. Be prepared to brief senior staff officers as required on aforementioned items in staff meetings and Video Tele-conferences as/when/if required. The intern will utilize appropriate security clearance level to review classified material and access classified computer systems as/when/if required. The intern will be supported, supervised and mentored
by a highly professional and seasoned team of U.S. Marine Corps Officers and Staff to ensure a fun, challenging, and rewarding Homeland Security/Homeland Defense combined work-education internship experience.