Communications Watch Officer

About the Role

The One 23 Group empowers clients in the Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, and Federal Civilian sectors with advanced capabilities in Enterprise IT, Mission IT, and Cyber. We are seeking an experienced NMCC Communications Watch Officer (CWO) to support the National Military Command Center (NMCC) within the Pentagon. This highly visible role ensures uninterrupted communications and network operations for senior national leadership, combatant commands, and critical Department of Defense missions. Ideal candidates thrive in high-pressure operational environments and solve complex technical challenges that directly contribute to national security.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and manage mission-critical communications systems and network operations.
• Coordinate with network operators, communications nodes, and technical teams to rapidly restore service interruptions.
• Track, prioritize, and escalate incidents while ensuring timely resolution and system availability.
• Oversee scheduled maintenance, upgrades, cutovers, and network changes with minimal operational impact.
• Validate connectivity between senior government leadership, combatant commands, and national security partners.
• Support secure communications systems including AMHS, Secure Video systems, and Defense Red Switch Network capabilities.
• Monitor warning systems, situational awareness tools, and command-and-control communications infrastructure.
• Troubleshoot complex LAN, MAN, and WAN network issues and recommend technical solutions.
• Provide operational status updates and brief stakeholders during outages, maintenance events, or mission-impacting incidents.
• Support contingency operations, exercises, continuity planning, and emergency response activities.
• Lead and manage project planning, resourcing, supply, progress reporting, troubleshooting, and NMCC team management.

Requirements

• Active Top Secret Clearance with eligibility for SCI indoctrination.
• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• CompTIA Security+ CE or equivalent DoD 8570 IAT Level II certification.
• 5+ years of experience supporting military or Department of Defense IT systems.
• Experience with systems engineering, network operations, incident management, and troubleshooting complex communications environments.
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills in mission-critical environments.
• Experience supporting the NMCC in the Pentagon (preferred).

Schedule

This is a full-time position requiring shift work coverage 24/7, 365 days per year, including holidays. The current shift structure consists of three shifts:

• Day shift: 6:00 AM – 2:30 PM ET
• Swing shift: 2:00 PM – 10:30 PM ET
• Mid shift: 10:00 PM – 6:30 AM ET

Approximately 2-6 weeks of day shift work is required for training and access.

Physical / Mental Demands

• Primarily sedentary role with occasional mobility, filing, and movement between locations.
• Ability to lift files, open filing cabinets, and bend or stand on a stool as necessary.
• Capability to read, analyze, and interpret data for long periods in a high-pressure environment.

Work Environment

This role operates in a professional, secure office environment, routinely using standard office equipment such as computers, phones, copiers, and fax machines. Government or ICS-owned equipment must be maintained in a safe and secure location. If working remotely, a safe and ergonomic workspace is required.

Travel

Limited travel is expected for this position, less than 10% throughout the year. Travel may include:

• Day trips of up to 12 hours for training, exercises, or real-world events.
• Occasional overnight stays in COOP facilities under lock-down conditions, working 12-hour shifts.