Interagency Exercise Planner / Interagency Operations SME- Suffolk, VA

Serco; Portsmouth (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Serco is seeking a full-time Interagency Exercise Planner / SME to support the Joint Staff J-7 in Suffolk, VA. You will integrate interagency and partner capabilities into joint exercises, develop realistic environments with DIME considerations, and leverage AI tools to enhance planning and assessments.

The role requires an active TS clearance with SCI eligibility, U.S. citizenship, a Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience, and about 8 years of relevant experience supporting Joint or

Qualifications

• Active TS clearance with SCI eligibility required.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field.
• 8 years of relevant experience in joint/strategic operations.
• Experience with interagency coordination and government operations.
• Ability to travel up to 25%.

Responsibilities

• Integrate interagency organizations and partner capabilities into joint exercises and assessments.
• Serve as content editor for interagency products with proper classifications.
• Support exercise execution, planning conferences, and senior leader engagements.
• Assist with planning, execution, assessment, and operational analysis for Joint Staff and Combatant Commands.
• Safeguard classified information and manage access control.

Skills

Security clearance

Analytical writing

Briefing skills

Communication and organization

Travel up to 25%

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Joint Training Tool (JTT)

MSEL development

CJCSM 3500.03F

Joint planning processes

Job description

Position Description & Qualifications

Serco is seeking a full-time Interagency Exercise Planner / Interagency Operations Subject Matter Expert (SME) to support the Joint Staff J-7 Deputy Directorate for Joint Training and Exercises (DDJTE) in Suffolk, Virginia. In this high-impact role, you will help integrate U.S. Government interagency organizations, coalition partners, and national-level policy considerations into whole-of-government Joint training events, exercises, and operational assessments. Working with the Joint Staff, Combatant Commands, Military Services, Defense Agencies, and senior military and civilian leaders, you will design realistic operational environments that incorporate Diplomatic, Informational, Military, and Economic (DIME) considerations, support senior leader decision-making during exercise execution, and leverage Government-provided Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to enhance planning, assessments, knowledge management, and Joint Force readiness.

This position is contingent upon the ability to maintain/transfer an active U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Top Secret (TS) security clearance with eligibility for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access is required.

In This Role, You Will

• Integrate Interagency organizations, partner nation capabilities, and national-level policy considerations into Joint training events, exercises, operational planning activities, and assessments.
• Serve as the content editor for Interagency Cell exercise products, including National Security Council Summary of Conclusions, Department of State cables, Interagency Daily Situation Reports, executive correspondence, and other operational documents while ensuring proper security classification markings and organizational formatting.
• Serve as an Interagency Cell duty watch stander during exercise execution supporting:
  • Master Scenario Event List (MSEL) Inject Manager functions.Request for Information (RFI) management.
  • Information Management and Knowledge Management (IM/KM) functions.
  • Battle rhythm meeting management and executive meeting minutes.
  • Development of After-Action Reports (AARs), observations, and lessons learned utilizing Government-provided AI tools where authorized.
• Support Joint Exercise Control Group (JECG) operations by representing the Interagency Cell during planning conferences, exercise execution, operational working groups, and senior leader engagements.
• Participate in Initial Planning Conferences (IPC), Mid-Planning Conferences (MPC), Final Planning Conferences (FPC), In-Progress Reviews (IPRs), operational planning teams, and exercise synchronization meetings.
• Assist with exercise planning, execution, assessment, and operational analysis supporting Joint Staff, Combatant Commands, Military Services, and Interagency stakeholders.
• Coordinate administrative and operational support activities including classified access verification, facility access, badging, and computer account coordination.
• Properly safeguard classified information and perform classified material handling in accordance with established security procedures.
• Develop operational assessments, observations, lessons learned, and recommendations that improve the integration of Interagency organizations and partner capabilities into Joint operations and strategic-level training.
• Employ Government-provided Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities, knowledge management tools, and Microsoft 365 applications to improve information sharing, automate routine processes, and enhance operational analysis.

To Be Successful In This Role, You Will Have

• Active U.S. Department of Defense Top Secret (TS) security clearance with eligibility for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access.
  • A U.S. Citizenship.
• A current or be able to obtain a valid U.S. Passport.
• A Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience) and relevant military, government, or defense contractor experience supporting Joint or strategic-level operations.
• 8 years of relevant experience.
• Experience supporting the Joint Staff, Combatant Commands, Military Service Headquarters, Interagency organizations, or equivalent Department of Defense organizations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of how U.S. states and territories coordinate and interact with federal government agencies during crises, disasters, and military operations, including understanding interagency organizations, missions, authorities, capabilities, and operational processes.
• Strong understanding of Joint Planning Processes, Joint doctrine, Multi-Domain Operations, and the integration of Interagency organizations into military planning and execution.
• Experience supporting senior General Officer, Flag Officer, Senior Executive Service (SES), or equivalent civilian leadership.
• Excellent analytical, technical writing, briefing, communication, and organizational skills.
• The ability to travel up to 25%.

Additional Desired Experience And Skills

• Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) Phase II graduate or Senior Service College graduate.
• Experience supporting Combatant Command exercises, Joint training events, wargaming, operational planning, experimentation, or readiness assessments.
• Experience with Joint exercise planning methodologies and the Joint Exercise Life Cycle (JELC).
• Experience using the Joint Training Tool (JTT), Master Scenario Event List (MSEL) development processes, and the Joint Training Manual for the Armed Forces of the United States (CJCSM 3500.03F).
• Practical experience using Government-provided Artificial Intelligence (AI) software tools to support planning, knowledge management, assessments, or reporting.
• Experience supporting the National Exercise Program (NEP), National Security Council (NSC), or Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) exercise planning and execution.
• Formal training or operational experience with the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS).
• Experience supporting Joint Staff J-7, Combatant Command, or other strategic-level Joint training organizations.

Company Overview

Serco Inc. (Serco) is the Americas division of Serco Group, plc. In North America, Serco’s 9,000+ employees strive to make an impact every day across 100+ sites in the areas of Defense, Citizen Services, and Transportation. We help our clients deliver vital services more efficiently while increasing the satisfaction of their end customers. Serco serves every branch of the U.S. military, numerous U.S. Federal civilian agencies, the Intelligence Community, the Canadian government, state, provincial and local governments, and commercial clients. While your place may look a little different depending on your role, we know you will find yours here. Wherever you work and whatever you do, we invite you to discover your place in our world. Serco is a place you can count on and where you can make an impact because every contribution matters.

To review Serco benefits please visit: https://careers.serco-na.com/us/en/what-we-offer. If you require an accommodation with the application process please email: [e-mail] or call the HR Service Desk at 800-628-6458, option 1. Please note, due to EEOC/OFCCP compliance, Serco is unable to accept resumes by email.

Candidates may be asked to present proof of identity during the selection process. If requested, this will require presentation of a government-issued I.D. (with photo) with name and address that match the information entered on the application. Serco will not take possession of or retain/store the information provided as proof of identity. For more information on how Serco uses your information, please see our Applicant Privacy Policy and Notice.

Serco does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies without being a contracted approved vendor. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Serco and will not be obligated to pay a placement or contract fee. If you are interested in becoming an approved vendor at Serco, please email [e-mail].

Serco is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

Pay Transparency

Our Total Rewards package includes competitive pay, performance-based incentives, and benefits that promote well-being and work-life balance—so you can thrive both professionally and personally. Eligible employees also gain access to a wide range of benefits from comprehensive health coverage and health savings accounts to retirement plans, life and disability insurance, and time-off programs that support work-life balance. Program availability may vary based on factors such as contract type, location, hire date, and applicable collective bargaining agreements.

Salary range: The range for this position can be found at the top of this posting. This range is provided as a general guideline and represents a good faith estimate across all experience levels. 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. For roles available in multiple states, the range may vary to reflect differences in local labor markets. In addition to base salary, eligible positions may include other forms of compensation such as annual bonuses or long-term incentive opportunities. Benefits – Comprehensible benefits for full-time employees (part-time employees receive a limited package tailored to their role):

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Robust 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

To review all Serco benefits please visit: https://careers.serco-na.com/us/en/about-us.

Serco complies with all applicable state and local leave laws, including providing time off under the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act for eligible Colorado residents, in alignment with our policies and benefit plans. The application window for this position is for no more than 60 days. If an applicant has any concerns with job posting compliance, please send an email to: [e-mail].