Operational Environment (OE) Exercise Planner (Allies and Partners)

Serco; Yorktown (VA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Serco Inc. is seeking an Operational Environment (OE) Exercise Planner to support the Joint Staff J-7 in Tier 1 exercises, based in Suffolk, Virginia.

The role focuses on integration with Allies and Partners to ensure interoperability and strategic alignment. The candidate will maintain a TS security clearance, provide consulting on strategic, operational and tactical concepts for Allies and Partners, and design/mature exercises with stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Active DoD TS clearance or ability to obtain/maintain within 24 months.
• U.S. citizenship required.
• Bachelor's or Master’s with joint operational experience as specified.
• Minimum years of joint HQ staff or civilian equivalent experience.
• Strong understanding of deploying joint forces and national power instruments.
• Knowledge of operational-level joint planning and execution.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a functional expert for planning and preparing joint/combined exercises with Allies and Partners.
• Provide consulting expertise to military/defense clients on concepts for Allies and Partners.
• Design and plan exercises with stakeholders and liaison officers.
• Deliver exercise products such as Scenario, RTC, and CONOPs.
• Coordinate suspense dates based on product development needs.
• Participate in Global Integration initiatives and exercise planning conferences.
• Serve as a cell member during execution of joint training events globally.

Skills

DoD TS clearance

US citizenship

Joint ops planning

Coalition environment

JELC/UJTL/MSEL

Travel up to 25%

On-site Suffolk VA

Writing/presentation

Education

Bachelor's degree + 6+ years joint experience

Master's degree + 4+ years joint experience

Job description

Position Description & Qualifications

Serco is seeking a Operational Environment (OE) Exercise Planner with a focus on integration of Allies and Partners, to support the Joint Staff J-7 in support of Tier 1 Combatant Command joint exercises. You will join a dynamic team supporting the Joint Staff in Suffolk, Virginia. This is an exciting opportunity to work alongside other professionals committed to enhancing military operational readiness through Collective Joint Training (CJT).

This position is contingent upon the ability to maintain/transfer an active U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Active Top Secret (TS) security clearance or TS held within the last 24 months, with eligibility for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access.

In this role, you will:

• Serve as a functional expert for planning, conceptualizing, and preparing joint and combined military exercises to ensure integration and interoperability with Allies and Partners. These efforts must enable seamless collaboration and coordination during joint training exercises and align with strategic objectives.

• Provide consulting expertise to military or defense clients in the development of military strategic, operational and tactical concepts for Allies and Partners.

• Design and plan military exercises in collaboration with training audience representatives, Combatant Command Liaison Desk Officers, and other exercise planners.

• Deliver exercise products such as Scenario, Road-to-Crisis (RTC), Adversary Campaign Plan, Operational Environment (OE) Overview to include Allies & Partners, and Adversary / Opposing Force Concept of the Operations (CONOP).

• Coordinate and adjust suspense dates based on product development needs.

• Participate in Global Integration initiatives and attend exercise planning conferences, In-Progress Reviews, and coordination meetings as required.

• Serve as a functional syndicate cell member during execution of joint training events globally.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• An active U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Active Top Secret (TS) security clearance or TS held within the last 24 months.

• A U.S. citizenship.

• A Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 6 years of joint operational experience

• OR a Master’s degree with a minimum of 4 years of joint operational experience.

• A minimum of 3 years of experience on a 3-star or 4-star Joint or Service Headquarters staff or civilian equivalent.

• To be highly knowledgeable about deploying and employing joint forces in concert with other instruments of national power.

• A thorough understanding of operational-level joint operations planning and execution.

• Knowledge, familiarity, and experience working in a coalition or combined environment where Allies and Partners are part of operation/mission.

• Familiarity with the Joint Exercise Life Cycle (JELC), Universal Joint Task List (UJTL), and MSEL processes.

• Intermediate Service School graduate.

• To be able to work on-site in Suffolk, Virginia.

• To be willing and able to travel (up to 25% of the time).

• A current or be able to obtain a valid U.S. Passport.

• A strong understanding of joint operational planning and execution.

• An excellent analytical, writing, and presentation skills.

• The ability to collaborate and work closely with senior military and civilian leaders.

• A deep familiarity with joint and multinational training and exercises.

Additional desired experience and skills:

• Joint Forces Staff College / JPME II graduate.

• Senior Service School graduate.

• Joint Staff or OSW experience.

• Operational experience working with General Officer / Flag Officer / Senior Executive Service (SES) leaders.

• Joint Staff, Combatant Command, Division, Afloat staff, or Wing staff experience or a civilian recognized as a strategic policy expert within the DOW community in a specific field related to the development requirements of an Operational Environment.

• Experience with operational planning efforts at the operational and strategic levels.

• Experience with Adversarial Assessments (Red Teaming).

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.

Serco adheres to all applicable regulations and policies. If an applicant has any concerns with job posting compliance, please send an email to: [e-mail] .