Supervisory Program Analyst (Director, Strategy, Policy, and Future Concepts)

$169,279

Pentagon, Arlington, VirginiaFull-timeExecutivePosted Nov 2, 2026

Against the United States typical range

Job description

This position is located in the Secretariat for Special Operations (SSO), within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of War for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict (OASW(SO/LIC)). Under the authority of 10 U.S.C. Sections 138 and 167, the ASW (SO/LIC) serves as the principal civilian advisor and assistant to the Secretary of War.

Incumbent typical work assignments may include the following: Directs the directorate's analytical and policy programs, establishes priorities, assigns work, evaluates employee performance, and manages resources to accomplish organizational objectives. Leads complex studies of Special Operations Forces (SOF) strategies, force design, and policies, developing quantitative and qualitative methods to assess effectiveness and future mission requirements.

Develops strategic guidance, policy recommendations, and future operational concepts to align SOF capabilities, force structure, and global posture with national defense priorities. Evaluates proposals from military commands and interagency stakeholders, identifies policy conflicts and capability gaps, and recommends solutions to support long-term force sustainability and modernization.

Represents the organization in Department-level and interagency forums, coordinates competing stakeholder positions, and oversees preparation of briefings, issue papers, and decision memoranda for senior leaders.

In order to qualify for this position, you must meet the requirements described below. You may qualify at the GS 15 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service that demonstrates:

  1. Supervising or leading multidisciplinary analytical teams in planning and executing complex defense or national security studies, establishing priorities, and reviewing analytical products:
  2. Directing strategic assessments using quantitative and qualitative methods to evaluate Special Operations Forces (SOF) or joint military strategy, force design, global posture, or future capability requirements; AND
  3. Translating complex analytical findings into defense policy, strategic guidance, and decision documents for senior leaders, and representing an organization in senior-level defense or interagency forums to negotiate positions and resolve policy or resource conflicts. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, Ameri. Corps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. All qualifications and education requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement and clearly documented in your resume.Your resume may not exceed two (2) pages . For qualifications determinations, it is recommended that applicants include their months and hours worked per week for each employment listed on their resume. If a determination is not able to be made about the duration of your creditable experience for qualification requirements, you will be removed from consideration. Read more about what should I include in my federal resume at https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: Federal agencies treat active duty service member as veterans, disabled veterans, and preference eligible, when they submit, as part of their application package, a "certification" of active service in lieu of a DD-214, indicating the service member is otherwise eligible and will be discharged or released within 120 days from the date of submission.. A "certification" letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. This "certification" must include your rank, dates of active duty service, type of discharge and character of service (i.e. honorable), and date any terminal leave will begin. It must be signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters. Active duty members that fail to provide a valid "certification" of service with their initial application will be found "not eligible". Members may be appointed before the effective date of their military retirement/separation if they are on terminal leave. Current or Former Political Appointees: Agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level. If you are currently or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Human Resources Office. Time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement and clearly documented in your resume.

Education

cannot be substituted for experience.

Description copied from U.S. Department of Defense's careers page. Read the full posting before you apply.

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