Coast Guard Maritime Credentialing SME

Job Type: Independent Contractor (1099)

Estimated Hours per Week: 10 - 15

Company Overview

SOLID (Solutions for Information Design, Inc.) is a dynamic, 100% employee-owned company committed to workforce development, credentialing, and innovative application design. For over two decades, SOLID has supported federal, commercial, and nonprofit clients—developing tools that empower career advancement and improve economic mobility.

We are trailblazers in supporting U.S. military service members and veterans, helping them translate their skills into civilian career opportunities. Our work includes the development of digital tools, policy analysis, and consulting services that bridge the gap between military experience and civilian credentials. We take pride in our collaborative, flexible, and family-friendly culture, ensuring our team has the support they need to thrive.

Position Overview

We're seeking a Coast Guard Subject Matter Expert (SME) to provide strategic insight, quality assurance, and subject matter guidance for the Coast Guard COOL (Credentialing Opportunities On-Line) program by aligning Coast Guard military occupations across personnel categories with industry-recognized credentials (certifications, licenses, apprenticeships). This role complements the efforts of our Coast Guard Service Lead by bringing high-level validation, industry perspective, and stakeholder engagement.

This contract-based role is ideal for a maritime expert with at least 10 years of Coast Guard experience and deep knowledge of credentialing pathways like Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMC), STCW, and other civilian licenses.

This is a part-time remote, contract-based (1099) role with flexible hours, ideal for a seasoned Coast Guard professional with at least 10 years of service and experience, extensive expertise in military-to-civilian credentialing, and a strong grasp of Coast Guard workforce structure and occupational specialties.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a subject matter expert for Coast Guard COOL and support strategic program development
• Provide QC/QA of occupational mappings, credential alignments, and related products
• Join stakeholder meetings to offer subject matter input and represent SME perspective
• Recommend alternative government-furnished information (GFI) sources and enhancements
• Support content validation related to military-to-civilian transitions, especially maritime licensing and Merchant Mariner Credentials
• Leverage working knowledge of MilGears to support tool development and use cases
• Attend relevant meetings or conferences, as needed

Required Qualifications:

• U.S. Citizenship required. May be required to obtain a U.S. Military Common Access Card (CAC) (sponsored by SOLID)
• 10+ years of U.S. Coast Guard experience, including strong familiarity with enlisted ratings, officer roles, and career progression
• Expertise in maritime licensing and credentialing, including MMCs, STCW endorsements, and NMC policies
• Experience supporting military-to-civilian career transitions and credentialing programs like COOL or GI Bill
• Strong understanding of civilian credentialing bodies and licensing processes

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with federal consulting, credentialing policy, or workforce development
• Bachelor's degree or relevant industry certifications (e.g., MMC, NMC license, CCS)
• 20 years+ Active Duty service with the United States Coast Guard