Special Operations Planner

Socket.dev; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 86,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Special Operations Planner role at CACI-Mission & Engineering Services supports USSOCOM and JTF planning, coordinating operations across GCCs and agencies. You will embed with SOF, develop OPLANs/CONPLANs/FRAGOs, and ensure risk mitigation and synchronization for sensitive tasks.

Required are a TS/SCI clearance with SAP eligibility, a bachelor’s degree with seven+ years of relevant experience (or 12+ years without a degree), and strong communication skills for senior briefs.

Qualifications

• Top Secret/SCI clearance with SAP access eligibility and willingness for polygraph.
• Bachelor's degree with 7+ years of experience; or 12+ years without a degree.
• 5+ years supporting military or IC compartmented activities (e.g., IJSTO, SAP).
• Experience with JPP/JOPES or current APEX equivalents.
• Strong oral and written communication for senior leadership briefs.
• Ability to provide structured daily feedback to teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop, coordinate, and maintain OPLANs, CONPLANs, and FRAGOs aligned to USSOCOM objectives.
• Support crisis action planning, contingency operations, and rapid-response cycles.
• Coordinate trans-regional SOF operations across GCC boundaries and interagency partners.
• Integrate SAPs and compartmented operations into unified planning frameworks.
• Collaborate with inter-agency partners, multinational forces, and OGAs.
• Coordinate MISO, cyber, and information operations within SOF planning.
• Apply advanced analytics and planning methodologies to support predictive analysis.
• Provide daily feedback and product development status updates to leadership.

Skills

TS/SCI clearance

JPP/JOPES experience

Operational planning

Strategic/operational communication

SIPR/JWICS familiarity

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

SharePoint

Web-based intelligence tools

Job description

Job Title: Special Operations PlannerJob Category: IntelligenceTime Type: Full timeMinimum Clearance Required to Start: TS/SCIEmployee Type: Regular-Rotational TravelerPercentage of Travel Required: Up to 10%Type of Travel: Continental US* * *

The Opportunity:

As a CACI-Mission & Engineering Services Special Operations Planner, you will play a critical role in facilitating, synchronizing, and integrating operations-level planning in direct support of a United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Joint Task Force (JTF). This position provides dedicated planning, synchronization, and operational coordination for highly sensitive activities spanning multiple Geographic Combatant Command (GCC) Areas of Responsibility (AOR), Functional Combatant Commands (FCCs), and Combat Support Agencies (CSAs).

Responsibilities:

As a Special Operations Planner, you will be embedded with Special Operations Forces (SOF) to provide operational overwatch, enhance mission effectiveness, and ensure the development of comprehensive risk mitigation strategies as required. Your in-depth knowledge of Irregular Warfare, Unconventional Warfare, and Hybrid Warfare as it applies to each unique operational event or tasking will allow you to seek out, identify, plan for, propose, integrate, and evaluate exquisite capabilities in support of Special Operations.

Your planning-focused efforts include:

• Developing, coordinating, and maintaining comprehensive operational plans (OPLANs), concept plans (CONPLANs), and fragmentary orders (FRAGOs) that align with USSOCOM strategic objectives and global campaign plans.

• Supporting crisis action planning, contingency operations, and rapid-response planning cycles in accordance with JTF priorities and operational timelines.

• Facilitating trans-regional SOF operations coordination and synchronization across Geographic Combatant Command (GCC) boundaries, Functional Combatant Commands (FCCs), and interagency partners.

• Integrating sensitive activities, special access programs (SAPs), and compartmented operations into unified, comprehensive operational-level planning frameworks.

• Collaborating closely with inter-agency partners, multinational forces, and Other Government Agencies (OGAs) to ensure cohesive planning efforts across the operational aperture.

• Coordinating Military Information Support Operations (MISO), cyber, and information operations integration within broader SOF planning efforts.

• Utilizing advanced analytics, specialized planning methodologies, and emerging technologies to enhance planning capabilities and support predictive analysis requirements.

• Providing daily feedback and product development status updates to team leaders, supported unit commanders, and joint staff leadership.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Current Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) security clearance with eligibility for Special Access Program (SAP) access, and willingness to undergo a polygraph examination as required.

• A bachelor’s degree with at least seven (7) years of experience; OR twelve (12) years of relevant work experience in lieu of a degree.

• More than five (5) years of specialized experience supporting military or Intelligence Community (IC) compartmented activities (e.g., IJSTO, SAP, ACCM).

• Demonstrated experience with the Joint Planning Process (JPP) and Joint Operation Planning and Execution System (JOPES) or current APEX equivalent systems.

• Exceptional oral and written communication skills at the strategic and operational levels, with the proven ability to prepare and deliver high-impact decision briefs for senior leadership.

• Ability to provide structured daily feedback to team leaders, supported units, and joint staff elements on operational product development.

• Practical understanding of Microsoft SharePoint and web-based intelligence tools and databases accessed via secure networks (SIPR and JWICS).

Desired:

• More than five (5) years of experience working directly with SOF, Special Mission Units (SMUs), Special or Technical Units of Federal, State, or Local Law Enforcement, and/or staff-level experience at the GCC, TSOC, or Joint Staff level.

• Proficiency in the Military Decision-Making Process (MDMP), including mission analysis, COA decision and CONOP approval briefings, D3A execution matrices, CONOP documents, and FRAGO development.

• Direct experience in cyber, electronic warfare, and information operations planning with emphasis on SOF applications.

• Demonstrated awareness and understanding of current global geopolitical issues and threat networks impacting special operations.

• Demonstrated understanding of various specialized capability providers and how to successfully incorporate their unique assets into operational objectives.

• Strong capability to work independently with minimal government oversight and function effectively as part of a joint, multi-disciplinary team environment.

• Practical understanding and capability to perform tasks with Microsoft productivity software and collaboration applications.

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:

$85,800 - $180,200

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.