Operational Psychologist

CACI International; Fort Meade (MD); On-site; USD 104,000 - 218,000; Full time

Job summary

Join CACI International as an Operational Psychologist in Fort Meade, MD. This full-time role supports national security missions through behavioral science applied to irregular warfare and operational psychology.

You will advise on target analysis, develop measures of effectiveness, and produce planning briefs for senior decision makers, leveraging research and data analytics in a dynamic defense environment.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance with CI Poly.
• MA/MS in behavioral sciences, neuroscience, psychology, or social science.
• 5 years’ experience supporting military operational planning and/or assessments for OIE, IW, Sensitive Activities, or compartmented activities.
• Experience briefing senior decision makers (GO/FO/SES).

Responsibilities

• Support OIE and related activities by applying behavioral science to influence targets.
• Advise on target audience analysis and message development.
• Develop MOEs to measure impact of operations.
• Support development of intelligence requirements.
• Perform behavioral assessments of targets using research orientations.
• Produce OIE planning products and briefs.

Skills

Behavioral models

Briefing executives

Data analysis

Operational psychology

Education

MA/MS in behavioral sciences

PhD in field

Tools

AI/ML tools

Job description

Job Title: Operational Psychologist

Job Category: Science

Time Type: Full time

Minimum Clearance Required to Start: TS/SCI with Polygraph

Employee Type: Regular

Percentage of Travel Required: Up to 25%

Type of Travel: Local

* * *

The Opportunity:

Join a team dedicated to advancing national security through innovative irregular warfare and operationsexpertise. CACI is looking for individuals to join a program that delivers mission-critical advisory, training, and operational support services that help mission partners stay ahead of rapidly evolving global threats. Working across geographic and functional combatant commands, these professionals play a vital role in developing, integrating, and sustaining mission-ready task forces that enhance joint force effectiveness and operational success.

This is an opportunity to contribute to high-impact missions, collaborate with experienced professionals, and support strategic operations that strengthen our nation’s defense capabilities around the world. Candidates who thrive in dynamic environments, embrace complex challenges, and are committed to mission excellence will find meaningful opportunities for growth and impact within CACI and on this team.

Responsibilities:

• Supports OIE (including Psychological Operations), IW, andSensitiveactivities by applying behavioral science principles to develop, target, and influence individuals, groups, or organizations toaccomplishtactical, operational, or strategic objectives


• Advises on target audience analysis including development of themes and messages; identification of psychological vulnerabilities, strengths, susceptibilities; decision making style; and assessment criteria refinement


• Develops measures of effectiveness (MOE) to systematically assess and report the impact of operations on targets, target audiences


• Facilitates and supports development of intelligence requirements toidentifyand evaluate relevant enemy capabilities, personality/decision making characteristics, and intentions.


• Performs behavioral assessment of relevant targets using empirically supported theoretical orientations, perspectives, or modalities (e.g.trait/motivational, cognitive behavioral, psychodynamic) adapted for observable operational environments


• Develops personalized influence tactics by synthesizing digital phenotyping, neuroscience, or cyberpsychology to create actor-specific behavioral models


• Maintains and actively applies current psychological research as a practitioner to ensure scientific rigor is integrated into all operational psychology tactics, techniques, and procedures


• Maintains current professional ethical standards


• Integrates intelligence, assessment, and feedback to refine OIE approaches and adapt to changing information conditions.


• Supports OIE exercises, experiments, and wargaming to test assumptions andvalidatepsychological effects.


• Produces decision-quality OIE planning products, assessments, and briefs incorporating operational psychology insights.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Active TS/SCI clearance with CI Poly


• MA/MS in a relevant field (e.g.behavioral sciences, neurosciences, psychology, social science)


• 5 years’ experience supporting military operational planning and/or assessments (7 years with BA/BS) for OIE, IW, Sensitive Activities, or compartmented activities


• Demonstrated experience briefing or delivering written concepts to executive/senior-level (GO/FO/SES) decision makers


• Demonstratedexpertiseapplying behavioral models, scientific theory, and data analysis to military operations and assessments for OIE, IW, and/or Sensitive Activities


• Demonstratedexpertiseof scientific research and its application to support psychological assessment, influence psychology, and behavior change models


• Demonstrated experience designing,administeringand/or evaluating research instruments and activities in support of military operations

Desired:

• PhD in relevant field


• 5 years’ experience supporting military operational planning, research, and assessments at the CCMD, Service Component Command, Joint TaskForceor similar level


• Demonstrated experience integrating data analytic tools, to include AI/ML enabled tools

What You Can Expect:

A culture of integrity.

At CACI, we place character and innovation at the center of everything we do. As a valued team member, you’ll be part of a high-performing group dedicated to our customer’s missions and driven by a higher purpose – to ensure the safety of our nation.

An environment of trust.

CACI values the unique contributions that every employee brings to our company and our customers - every day. You’ll have the autonomy to take the time you need through a unique flexible time off benefit and have access to robust learning resources to make your ambitions a reality.

A focus on continuous growth.

Together, we will advance our nation’s most critical missions, build on our lengthy track record of business success, and find opportunities to break new ground — in your career and in our legacy.

Pay Range :

There are a host of factors that can influence final salary including, but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education, and certifications. Our employees value the flexibility at CACI that allows them to balance quality work and their personal lives. We offer competitive compensation, benefits and learning and development opportunities. Our broad and competitive mix of benefits options is designed to support and protect employees and their families. At CACI, you will receive comprehensive benefits such as; healthcare, wellness, financial, retirement, family support, continuing education, and time off benefits.

The proposed salary range for this position is:

$103,800 - $218,100

CACI is anEqualOpportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any otherprotectedcharacteristic.