About the opportunity
Serves as a Strategic Planner for the Joint Activities located at Fort Meade, Maryland. The role involves advising senior Special Operations Forces (SOF) leadership on force development and design plans to secure organizational approval for emerging strategic capabilities. Key duties include supporting organizational analyses of operational approaches and emerging technologies, identifying operational risks through strategic wargaming and performance evaluations, generating proposals for new programs and analytical studies, and coordinating project assessment plans with external sponsors and partners. The position requires delivering executive-level oral briefings and analytical reports to inform high-level civilian and military decision-makers on defense policy and resourcing.
Salary and benefits
- Salary ranging from $131,342 to $170,750 per year (including applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement)
- Direct deposit of pay is required
- Incentives such as student loan repayment, advance in hire, relocation, and recruitment may be authorized for qualifying selectees
- Comprehensive federal employee benefits and working conditions
Who can apply?
- Only applicants who meet one of specific employment authority categories are eligible to apply (such as 30 Percent or More Disabled Veterans, Current Department of Army Civilian Employees, Military Spouses under E.O. 13473, People with Disabilities Schedule A, Priority Placement Program, VEOA of 1998, and others)
- Must have one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade/level in the federal service (GS-13) or equivalent
- Specialized experience includes: 1) analyzing operational concepts and emerging technologies to identify strategic risks and support executive decision-making; 2) evaluating alternative programs and programmatic resources to develop analytical studies and improve organizational capabilities; 3) delivering executive-level oral briefings and analytical reports to inform high-level managers; and 4) coordinating project assessment plans and contractor activities
- Substitution of education for experience is not permitted for this job
- Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must meet time-in-grade requirements (52 weeks of Federal service at GS-13)
Required documents
- Resume (must be two pages or less, supporting specialized experience, and include employer name, job title, start/end dates with month and year, hours worked per week, and brief description)
- Cover letter (optional)
- Most recent Performance Appraisal (if applicable)
- Proof of Eligibility to Apply (documents proving eligibility under at least one accepted employment authority)
- Time-in-grade documentation (such as an SF-50 clearly demonstrating time-in-grade requirements if recent SF-50 does not show it)
When to apply
- Opening Date: August 28, 2026
- Closing Date: September 10, 2026, at 11:59 PM (ET)
- Online assessments must be completed within the specified window following application submission
How to apply
- Read the entire vacancy announcement and instructions thoroughly
- Click the Apply Online button on USAJOBS
- Answer the questions presented in the application questionnaire
- Attach all necessary supporting documentation, ensuring the resume is two pages or less
- Submit the complete application package prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/10/2026
- Complete any required USA Hire Assessments following the instructions provided in your application screen and email
Additional information
- Announcement Number: MCGT-26-13050432-MP
- Control Number: 882585500
- Position requires a 1-year probationary period
- Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized
- Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration
- Proof of U.S. Citizenship is required
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Professionals with specialized experience in force development, strategic wargaming, and operational risk analysis.
- Candidates who are comfortable delivering executive-level briefings to high-level civilian and military leadership.
- Individuals who meet specific employment authority categories, such as veterans or current federal employees.
What should you think carefully about?
- Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs are not authorized, so you should verify if your current location is sustainable.
- The resume must be strictly limited to two pages, requiring precise articulation of your specialized experience.
- The position requires a one-year probationary period for new federal competitive service employees.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This role is a strategic career move for those looking to influence defense policy and organizational design at the highest levels. It is well-suited for individuals aiming to transition their analytical and project management skills into a high-stakes, executive-advisory capacity within the Department of the Army.
Our take
This position is highly suitable for experienced strategic planners with the required federal eligibility. It is less suitable for those who do not meet the specific hiring authorities or who require relocation assistance.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
Official-source verifiedSource: USAJOBS
