Space Operations Officer

Joint Activities • Doral, FL

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The incumbent serves as the Command Subject-Matter Expert and Senior Technical Advisor for space-domain operations within the USSOUTHCOM SCJ3X Integrated Operations Division in Miami, Florida. The position directs the synchronization and operational integration of space capabilities into Theater Campaign Plans, deliberate operation and concept plans, crisis action planning, and joint fires and effects.

The role integrates space control, space electronic warfare (Space EW), and Special Technical Operations (STO) into joint maneuver plans; advises on space architectures and radio-frequency physics; and supports operations against terrestrial and orbital counterspace threats. It provides expertise for contested or degraded environments, including GPS-denied operations, navigation warfare, space-based positioning, navigation, and timing protection, and satellite communications link assurance. The position integrates space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; SATCOM; PNT; Space EW; missile warning; and environmental monitoring into the Joint Force Commander’s scheme of maneuver.

The officer analyzes end-to-end RF signal paths and space-system segments, validates operational annexes, participates in joint targeting and effects coordination, and connects space capabilities with terrestrial, maritime, air, and cyber warfare systems. The role also develops and evaluates capability request and response messages, prepares urgent operational needs justifications, and protects command-critical information across classification levels.

Employment is subject to suitability or fitness review and requires the ability to obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET clearance with SCI eligibility, pass a Counterintelligence Scope Polygraph, and comply with recurring urinalysis testing. Temporary duty travel may be required approximately 20% of the time. The position is designated mission essential during emergencies and inclement weather; weekend, night, and extended-hour work may be required. The employee must meet applicable DoD cyber work-role qualification and continuing professional development requirements.

Requirements

• One year of specialized experience executing space control operations, including Space EW, SATCOM electronic protection or mitigation, or non-kinetic counterspace capabilities in operational or tactical theater environments.
• One year of specialized experience synchronizing Annex N and Annex S across Joint Planning Process phases and integrating space and STO considerations into GCC and JTF operational plans.
• One year of specialized experience advising on satellite subsystems, orbital regimes, ground-control networks, and end-to-end RF signal flow to assess capabilities, limitations, and dependencies.
• One year of specialized experience formulating EReqMs, EResMs, JUONs, and JEONs for organizational processing.
• Required experience must be demonstrated through experience; education cannot substitute for the specialized experience requirement.
• Applicants who held a GS position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-13).
• Ability to obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET security clearance based on SSBI, with eligibility for SCI access.
• Willingness to take and successfully pass a Counterintelligence Scope Polygraph.
• Compliance with recurring urinalysis testing as a condition of employment; the position is a testing designated position.
• Meet DoD and Army cyber work-role requirements, including foundational qualifications within 9 months, resident qualifications within 12 months, and 20 hours of CPD per work-role code.
• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Applicants must meet at least one of the listed employment-authority eligibility categories and provide supporting documentation.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• Complete a one-year probationary period.
• Temporary duty travel may be required approximately 20% of the time; weekend, night, and extended-hour work may be required.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor of Science in engineering, physics, mathematics, operations research, computer science, or management information systems.
• Army Space Operations Officer Qualification Course (FA40 SOOQC) or USSF Space Operations Course (Undergraduate Space Training / UST).
• Army Space Control Planners Course (SCPC) or Space Control Fundamentals Course (SCFC).
• Joint Staff or Combatant Command Special Technical Operations (STO) Planners Course.
• Space Cadre Basic Course (SCBC) or Advanced Space Operations School (ASOpS) courses.
• USASOC or Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) advanced operational planning courses.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or Defense Acquisition University (DAU) Level II/III in Program Management or Engineering.

Responsibilities

• Synchronize Space Control, Space EW, and Special Technical Operations into joint maneuver plans and operational planning.
• Advise on space architectures, including ground, link, and orbital segments, and on RF physics.
• Address terrestrial and orbital counterspace threats, including anti-satellite systems, directed energy, jamming, spoofing, and signal degradation.
• Employ Space EW systems by resolving electromagnetic interference, geolocating hostile emitters, and executing targeted non-kinetic electromagnetic countermeasures.
• Advise on contested and degraded operations, including GPS-denied environments, defensive NAVWAR, space-based PNT protection, and SATCOM link assurance.
• Integrate space-based ISR, SATCOM, PNT, Space EW, missile warning, and environmental monitoring into the Joint Force Commander’s scheme of maneuver.
• Trace and troubleshoot end-to-end RF signal paths through user terminals, modulation, frequency conversion, amplification, space interfaces, transponder payloads, downlinks, and terrestrial demodulation.
• Review and validate operational annexes integrating conventional fires and maneuver, SOF, and compartmentalized SAP/STO effects.
• Participate in Joint Targeting Coordination Boards, Information Operations Working Groups, and Effects Coordination Cells to deconflict space effects, assess collateral effects, and address rules of engagement.
• Integrate space-domain capabilities with terrestrial, maritime, air, and cyber warfare systems to counter threats in the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility.
• Draft and evaluate Combatant Command Evaluation Request Messages and Evaluation Response Messages supporting STO and SAP capability integration.
• Prepare technical justifications for JUONs and JEONs to accelerate fielding of emergent space capabilities and address validated command deficiencies.
• Protect Command Critical Information Requirements and Essential Elements of Friendly Information across classification levels.
• Obtain and maintain required cyber work-role qualifications and complete required continuing professional development.
• Continue performing mission-essential duties during emergencies or inclement weather until relieved by proper authority.

Benefits

• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package for employees and their families.
• Permanent Change of Station allowances may be authorized, subject to applicable regulations and agency determination.
• Recruitment, relocation, or retention incentive may be authorized.
• Advance-in-hire may be authorized.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed