Operational Planner Policy and Plans Support Specialist

SAIC•Town of Cortlandt, NY

10d

About The Position

The Senior Planning Support Specialist drives day-to-day execution of MARFORPAC G-5 (Plans) deliberate planning support and the daily planning battle rhythm. The role owns delivery of assigned planning support outputs—including coordination, staffing, and product production—so leaders receive on-time, decision-ready materials that enable execution across the Joint Planning and Execution Community (JPEC). The specialist applies established templates and standards and ensures planning actions move from tasking to closure. The role supports planning efforts across operational, functional, campaign, and posture planning cycles; synchronizes inputs across military commands and staff organizations; manages tasks, suspenses, staffing actions, and decision points; and supports Operational Planning Teams and working groups. It produces and edits briefing decks, information papers, and planning documents for senior leader review and approval, maintains version control and auditable records, and supports program-based and posture initiative planning. The specialist also coaches junior staff on battle rhythm discipline, staffing practices, and product formatting. The position owns day-to-day execution for assigned planning efforts and determines work sequencing and coordination approaches within established standards. Priority conflicts and tradeoffs are escalated to government leads. The role is accountable for on-time delivery, complete staffing packages, and reliable coordination closure.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and 10 or more years of related experience; or a master’s degree and 8 or more years of experience; or a PhD or JD and 5 or more years of experience.
Active TS/SCI clearance.
At least 7 years of experience supporting military, joint, or federal civilian planning, including meetings or working groups and staff products for senior leaders.
Demonstrated proficiency producing and editing briefing decks, information papers, and formal planning documents.
Familiarity with JPEC processes and joint planning forums, such as OPTs and joint planning groups.
Ability to comply with government workplace requirements and obtain and maintain any required access or eligibility.
Skills in operational execution, suspense management, and staffing discipline.
Ability to coordinate stakeholders in high-tempo, deadline-driven environments.
Clear writing and ability to synthesize complex inputs into decision-ready outputs.
Attention to detail, formatting rigor, and version control.
Professional judgment about when to elevate risks, conflicts, or late-breaking changes.

Nice To Haves

Advanced planning education, such as JAWS, SAMS, MAWS, JCWS, or JPME.
Relevant professional certifications, such as PMP.
Prior relevant MOS experience, such as USMC 0505, 0302, 0502, or 0511.
Prior experience working with or alongside USINDOPACOM, MARFORPAC, HQMC, a combatant command, a Service component, or MEF headquarters.

Responsibilities

Support assigned planning efforts across operational, functional, campaign, and posture planning cycles to meet directed timelines.
Synchronize inputs across USINDOPACOM, Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC), MARFORPAC staff divisions, adjacent components and sub-unified commands, and Marine Expeditionary Forces (MEFs).
Manage planning tasks, suspense dates, staffing actions, decision points, and follow-through to reduce delays and rework.
Provide Operational Planning Team (OPT) and working group support, including preparation, read-aheads, notes and actions, and closeout.
Develop briefing decks, information papers, and planning documents for senior leader review and approval.
Edit and format products for clarity, consistency, and executive-ready quality using established standards.
Maintain version control and auditable staffing and coordination records across product iterations.
Coordinate program-based planning tasks to align assumptions, inputs, and outputs across organizations.
Support posture initiative planning by organizing inputs, staffing actions, and implementation tracking as directed.
Coach junior staff on battle rhythm discipline, staffing hygiene, and product formatting.
Own day-to-day planning support execution for assigned efforts, including battle rhythm, staffing mechanics, and delivery.
Determine work sequencing and coordination approaches within established standards, and escalate priority conflicts or tradeoffs to government leads.
Deliver outputs on time, provide complete staffing packages, and ensure reliable coordination closure.