Sustainment SME / Exercise Planner

About the role

The Sustainment Subject Matter Expert (SME) / Exercise Planner supports the Joint Staff (JS) J-7 Deputy Directorate for Joint Training and Exercises (DDJTE) in Suffolk, VA. The role involves executing complex sustainment-related tasks throughout the exercise Joint Exercise Life Cycle (JELC) and collaborating with Combatant Commands, geographic contract Joint Event Support Teams (JESTs), and government and military leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead sustainment planning, integration, and execution across all phases of the exercise Joint Exercise Life Cycle (JELC) for Combatant Command Tier 1 and Tier 2 Joint exercises.
• Develop and synchronize sustainment concepts, logistics operations, force flow, deployment, distribution, and theater support plans in support of Combatant Command and Joint Force training objectives.
• Provide support in Global Force Management (GFM), Joint Planning and Execution Services (JPES), and Joint Operation Planning and Execution System (JOPES) processes to support exercise design and execution.
• Develop sustainment annexes, logistics support plans, movement plans, and operational contract support requirements for multi-Combatant Command exercises and contingency scenarios.
• Integrate sustainment functions including supply, maintenance, transportation, engineering, health services support, personnel services, financial management, and contracting into Joint exercise scenarios and operational environments.
• Advise Joint Staff, Combatant Command, and exercise leadership on sustainment requirements, capabilities, risks, and readiness impacts affecting operational plans and campaign objectives.
• Design realistic sustainment injects, Master Scenario Events List (MSEL) actions, and operational problems that challenge training audiences and support commander training objectives.
• Conduct operational analysis and assessment of sustainment activities during exercises; develop observations, findings, recommendations, and after-action products for senior leaders.
• Facilitate sustainment-focused planning conferences, working groups, seminars, and training events while coordinating with Service Components, coalition partners, and interagency stakeholders.
• Maintain expertise in Joint doctrine, logistics command and control, deployment and distribution operations, theater sustainment, and emerging sustainment capabilities to enhance exercise realism and Joint Force readiness.

Requirements

• An active U.S. Department of War (DoW) Top Secret (TS) security clearance with eligibility for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access.
• Bachelor’s degree with 7 years of operational experience, with six years specifically in military sustainment operations and training.
• Master’s degree with 4 years of relevant Sustainment Military experience.
• Must possess or be able to obtain a U.S. Passport.
• Willing and able to travel CONUS/OCONUS (up to 25%).
• Work on-site in Suffolk, Virginia.

Qualifications

• A U.S. citizenship.
• Active DoW Top Secret (TS) clearance with eligibility for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access.
• Bachelor’s degree with 7 years of operational experience, with six years specifically in military sustainment operations and training.
• Master’s degree with 4 years of relevant Sustainment Military experience.
• Must possess or be able to obtain a U.S. Passport.
• Willing and able to travel CONUS/OCONUS (up to 25%).
• Work on-site in Suffolk, Virginia.

Skills

• Joint Planning Experience.
• Joint Professional Military Education (JPME II).
• Experience supporting Combatant Command exercises, wargaming, experimentation, operational planning, or readiness assessments.
• School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS) or Joint Advanced Warfighting School (JAWS) Graduate.
• Knowledge of Joint Operation Planning and Execution System (JOPES), Joint Planning and Execution System (JPES), and Global Force Management.
• Experience collaborating with senior military and government personnel.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Roadmap of vacation and sick leave benefits, and flexible work arrangements where permitted by role or contract.
• 401(k) plan that includes employer matching funds.
• Tuition reimbursement program.
• Life insurance and disability coverage.
• Optional coverages that can be purchased, including pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal, ID theft protection.
• Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits.
• Employee Assistance Plan.

Pay

The salary range for this position is TBD. Actual base salary will be determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to, the scope of the role, relevant experience, job-related knowledge, education and training, key skills, and geographic market considerations.

Schedule

Full-time schedule.