STRATEGIC PLANNING SPECIALIST (ARCTIC)

Summary

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information. The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a Policy and Plans Specialist in the Strategy, Policy and Plans Directorate under North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM).

Duties

• Develops and coordinates Arctic strategic/operational level policy and plans, in response to SecDef and CJCS direction, through the CJCS Joint Strategic Planning System (JSPS) in support of national objectives. Writes, develops, edits, and revises documents, formal briefings, instructional papers, meeting notes, articles and formal documents in support of the NORAD and USNORTHCOM missions and functions, and Commander directed special initiatives and projects. Evaluates National and DoD Arctic policy, doctrine, strategy and planning documents to ensure NORAD and USNORTHCOM integration and compliance.

Qualifications

Conditions of Employment (cont.): This position is designated by the Air Force as a Test Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Testing Program. As a mandatory requirement for employment in this TDP, the incumbent is (A) to refrain from use of illegal drugs and (B) if required, to submit to urinalysis testing. Illegal drug use by employees in sensitive position presents a clear threat to the mission of the Air Force, national security, and public safety. The selectee must sign a statement acknowledging the position occupied is identified as a TDP. May be required to perform Battle Roster functions during Exercise and Real World events. Battle Roster functions may include, but are not limited to, 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 alternate duty locations. IAW DoDI 3020-42 the position has been locally or command designated as Mission Essential (ME) performing a Mission Critical Function (MCF) which must continue uninterrupted after the occurrence of an emergency and continued through full resumption of all functions IAW, DoDI 3020-42, Defense Continuity Programs. YA002 = Eligible for situational telework only, including Ad hoc, Emergency, or OPM prescribed "Unscheduled" Telework. This eligibility is separate and distinct from the employee's eligibility. A civilian employee's telework arrangement may be terminated at the discretion of the supervisor or at the employee's request. 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, Miscellaneous Administration and Program Series 0301. 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 broad knowledge of National and DoD strategic planning guidance, military and joint planning doctrine, service roles and responsibilities, DoD goals and objectives, and the history and application of military concepts, operational art and strategy to accomplish assigned missions. (Specifically, Arctic related); Expert knowledge of policy, doctrine, strategy and plans for traditional combatant command activities as they apply to CJCS planning, review and decision processes for NORAD and USNORTHCOM missions; Expert knowledge of military strategy and planning; the relationships of the various combatant command missions and organizations, and the respective agents for those commands involved in the overall planning and execution of military operations and evaluations; and how strategic, operational, deliberate planning, crisis and contingency planning, and war gaming support them; Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of NORAD and USNORTHCOM crisis response processes and the command and control systems used by component commands. Understanding of roles, missions, and capability of Services and their assigned component commands, as well as knowledge of the roles, responsibilities and missions of partner U.S. and Canadian government departments and agencies. 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: Knowledge of Joint Strategic Planning System (JSPS), Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution (PPBE) processes to include, but not limited to, joint operation planning, joint strategy reviews, joint capabilities identification and development, joint policy and doctrine, and CJCS assessment processes and documents. Knowledge of the relationships between the various combatant command missions and organizations and the respective agents for those commands involved in overall planning and executing military operations, including in the Arctic, and how deliberate and crisis action planning supports them. Knowledge of the National, DoD, and Joint Staff strategic planning documents and development processes. Skill in articulating information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; negotiates complex issues, listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately. Skill in using correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a brief, clear, and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience. Ability to gather, assemble, and analyze facts, draw conclusions, conduct expert analysis, devise recommended solutions, and package the entire process in briefings, papers, or reports suitable for leadership decision-making. Ability to develop effective strategies consistent with the mission and function of the organization in a global setting. Examines policy issues and strategic planning with a long-term perspective. Determines objectives and sets priorities; anticipates potential threats or opportunities 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.

How to apply

The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/10/2026 To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13054881 To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the application questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Application button at the end of the process. To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: 1. Your Resume. If you submit more than one resume, only the most recent will be reviewed. The "most recent" is considered the resume with the latest timestamp. Resumes may not exceed two pages. The two-page resume ensures the most relevant experience is reviewed and considered, which is a common practice in both the public and private sectors. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. Additional information on how to complete or update your resume may be located here. For qualification determination your resume must contain hours worked per week and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient, and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series and grade, i.e. GS-0301-09. Current Federal Civilian Employees may list any relevant performance related rating (given within the last three years) and/or incentive awards in your resume. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your name, first and last, MUST be included on your resume. 2. A complete Application Questionnaire 3. Additional Required Documents (see Required Documents section). Ensure all submitted documents contain your full name. 4. Help recruiters find you. Make your resume and profile searchable, which means recruiters may contact you about possible jobs. Additional information may be located here. PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan. Human Resources WILL NOT modify or change any answers submitted by an applicant.