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Posted: January 21, 2026 (1 day ago)

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STRATEGY AND ANALYSIS SPECIALIST

Air Force Elements, U.S. Special Operations Command

Department of the Air Force

Fresh

Location

Salary

$125,776 - $163,514

per year

Type

Closes

January 28, 2026More Air Force jobs →

GS-12 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $74,441 - $96,770

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-11. Advanced degree + significant experience.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This role involves acting as an expert advisor on special operations forces, analyzing military capabilities, planning experiments and wargames, and providing guidance to help shape future strategies for the U.S.

Special Operations Command. It requires deep knowledge of military operations and teamwork to lead projects and collaborate across organizations.

A good fit would be someone with experience in defense analysis, strong analytical skills, and the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly.

Key Requirements

  • One year of specialized experience at GS-12 level or equivalent, including federal time-in-grade requirements
  • Expert knowledge of Special Operations Forces (SOF) operational capabilities, technology, units, equipment, doctrine, missions, and tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs)
  • Comprehensive understanding of current and projected warfighting capabilities across component commands, geographic combatant commanders, defense agencies, and the private sector
  • Mastery of key documents and visions such as SOF Global Vision (2030), Joint Vision 2030, Special Operations Forces Experimentation Implementation Plan, and USSOCOM Posture Statement
  • Knowledge of wargame and experimentation planning, concept development processes, Joint Concepts and Integration Development System (JCIDS), and capabilities-based assessment (CBA)
  • Ability to lead teams, originate ideas and projects, execute within constraints, and foster collaborative environments
  • Strong skills in analysis, gathering facts and lessons learned, and effective oral and written communication with diverse stakeholders

Full Job Description

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 key U.S.

Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Directorate for Force Management and Development (FMD) Special Operations (SO) and subject matter expert, senior analyst, and advisor providing technical guidance, expert advice, and assistance.

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 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: Maintains expert knowledge of current and projected SOF operational and warfighting capabilities and technology.

Knowledge of wargame and experimentation planning, coordination, and synchronization of requirements.

Comprehensive knowledge with current and projected operational and warfighting capabilities of the component commands, geographic combatant commanders, defense agencies, and the private sector.

Mastery knowledge with SOF Global Vision (2030), Joint Vision 2030, and other SOF/joint warfighting visions.

In-depth knowledge with the Special Operations Forces Experimentation Implementation Plan, the Annual Special Operations Forces Reference Manual, the USSOCOM Special Operations Forces Posture Statement, the Annual Special Operations Forces Experimentation Campaign Plan, SOF doctrine, tactics, techniques, and procedures, and all command processes.

Knowledge of Special Operations Forces (SOF) units, equipment, doctrine, missions, and tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs).

Knowledge of concept development processes, the Joint Concepts and Integration Development System (JCIDS) process, and the capabilities-based assessment (CBA) process.

Knowledge with USSOCOM mission, organizational structures, and functions.

Ability to lead teams; originate new ideas, projects, and methodologies; execute projects and/or studies within established financial and/or time constraints.

Ability to establish a collaborative environment and maintain effective relationships.

Skill in developing, performing methods and techniques of gathering facts and lessons learned, observations and measurement, and analysis and assessments of documents and products, background material products, briefings, and after-action reports.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with various levels of personnel throughout many agencies/organizations.

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. Major Duties:

Leads, coordinates, synchronizes and represents USSOCOM in Joint, Service, and Special Operations Forces (SOF) concept development, wargame, experimentation, and capabilities-based assessment (CBA) events and activities.

Performs warfighter analysis entailing unique problems, future global challenges, creativity, innovative uses of techniques, advanced approaches, and/or new technologies.

Participates in meetings, conferences, briefings, and seminars related to the Joint Concept Development & Experimentation (JCD&E) Enterprise, future operating environments, future societal and cultural trends, and breakthrough technologies in a variety of disciplines.

Assists in the design, development, planning, and execution of experimentation.

Incumbent is responsible to ensure the core classified national information protection security disciplines of information are fully covered from a policy and programmic viewpoint to ensure overall information protection requirements meet mission requirements.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 1/21/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 1/22/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: 5I-AFPC-12869398-69390-JJD