STRATEGIC PLANNER (PROJECT MANAGEMENT)

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information. The primary purpose of this position: To serve as a strategic planner in the Commanders' Initiative Group (CIG), NORAD and USNORTHCOM (N/NC), responsible for planning, managing, and executing complex Combatant Command (CCMD)-level initiatives and analytic projects that support senior leader decision making.

Major duties

Performs advanced strategic planning, analysis, and command messaging to support NORAD and USNORTHCOM senior leader decision making. Plans, organizes, and manages complex strategic initiatives and analytic projects across the full life cycle to deliver decision-quality products. Integrates strategic planning and analytic efforts with headquarters, joint, interagency, and bi-national activities and improves related processes and information flows. Performs senior-level strategic analysis and staff support and carries out ancillary duties that contribute to CIG and N/NC missions.

Qualifications

Conditions of Employment CONT: May be required to perform Battle Roster functions during Exercises and Real-World events. Battle Roster functions may include but are not limited to the Joint Operations Center (JOC), Future Operations Center (FOC), Future Plans Center (FPC), Joint Logistics Operations Center (JLOC), N&NC Deployment and Distribution Operations Center (NDDOC), Joint Intelligence Operations Center-North (JIOC-N), Joint Cyber Center (JCC), and other tasks as assigned. These duties may require additional duty hours and/or a physical/medical assessment to deploy to alternate duty locations (non-combat) or inplace. The physical/medical assessment is not a pre-employment requirement. This is a KEY position IAW 32 CFR, Part 44 Appendix A and DoD Directive 1200.7. A Key Position is a Federal position that cannot be vacated during a war, national emergency, or mobilization without seriously impairing the capability of the parent Federal Agency to function effectively. Applicants for positions designated as "Key" positions who do not agree to this condition shall not be extended an offer of employment. The employee must be removed from the Ready Reserve and CANNOT become a member of the Ready Reserve while assigned to this position. IAW DoDI 3020-42 this position has been locally, or command designated as Mission Essential (ME). ME personnel perform a Mission Critical Function (MCF), which must continue uninterrupted after the occurrence of an emergency or during hazardous weather conditions to keep critical operations functioning. These personnel are required to report for duty at normal times when the base is closed or if delayed reporting is directed and remain on duty during phased or early release. In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Administrative and Management Positions.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-12, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes:

1. Working knowledge of joint and combined planning processes, COCOM Command campaign and contingency planning constructs, and associated doctrine, policy, and guidance to translate broad national- and joint-level direction into executable plans, lines of effort, and decision options;
2. Working with complex strategic planning and analysis to translate broad national-level and COCOM Command-level guidance into integrated plans, concepts, and courses of action; and
3. Working with managing the full life cycle of complex projects, including defining scope, developing project plans, managing milestones and risks, integrating inputs, and delivering decision-quality products on time.

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in­-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-12 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-13 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

• Ability to perform complex strategic planning and analysis to translate broad national-level and CCMD-level guidance into integrated plans, concepts, and courses of action.
• Skill in managing the full life cycle of complex projects, including defining scope, developing project plans, managing milestones and risks, integrating inputs, and delivering decision-quality products on time.
• Ability to conduct rigorous qualitative and quantitative analysis of incomplete or ambiguous information to identify trends, assess risks and opportunities, and develop feasible, distinguishable options and recommendations.
• Skill in building and sustaining effective working relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders to gather information, align efforts, and integrate products across organizational boundaries.
• Ability to communicate complex strategic and analytical information clearly and persuasively in writing, including preparing decision papers, options analyses, executive summaries, and related documentation for senior leaders.
• Skill in delivering concise, well-organized briefings and presentations that explain complex issues, findings, and recommendations to senior officials and other audiences.
• Ability to evaluate and improve planning, project management, and coordination processes by identifying gaps or friction points and recommending practical improvements, tools, or methods that enhance the quality and timeliness of outputs.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: The VOW Act requires federal agencies to treat an eligible active duty service member as a veteran, disabled veteran, and preference eligible (as applicable) when applying for civil service positions before the effective release or discharge date. Appointment of military members before the release or discharge date is permissible if the member is on terminal leave. At the time the active duty member applies for a civil position, he or she must submit a "certification" memo in lieu of a DD-Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. Active duty members applying for a civil service position without submitting a valid certification memo or DD-Form 214 with their application will render the member ineligible for the position. The certification memo must originate from the member's military service branch on official letterhead and contain the following:

• Name/Rank/Grade of Service Member
• Branch of Armed Forces
• Dates of Active Service (Start and End Date(s)
• Expected Date of Discharge/Release from Active Duty
• Terminal leave start date (if applicable)
• Expected character of service (honorable or general) and type of separation (i.e. separation or retirement)
• Must be certified within 120 days of anticipated discharge
• Signature by, or by direction of the adjutant, personnel office, unit commander, or higher headquarters commander.

Note: The VOW Act provides tentative preference. If appointed, a DD Form-214 must be submitted upon receipt