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SENIOR CONOPS ANALYST

Department of Defense
Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Joint Force Development Directorate (J-7)

Summary

This position is part of the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The incumbent will be responsible for reviewing the Secretary of Defense and Chairman's top future Joint Concepts, developing CONOPS and Concepts of Employment (CONEMPs), and testing the concept through analytic activities such as wargames, Table-Top Exercises (TTX), and analytic studies.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
01/23/2026 to 02/02/2026
Salary
$150,144 to - $195,190 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 15
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Suffolk, VA
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Top Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
JCS-26-12870802-DE
Control number
855343100

Duties

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As a SENIOR CONOPS ANALYST at the GS-0301-15 some of your typical work assignments may include:

  • Leads a multi-disciplinary team of senior military and civilian analysts in the development and assessment of complex, multi-domain Concepts of Operations (CONOPS).
  • Performs and directs in-depth analysis of future adversary threat trajectories, doctrine, and advanced capabilities to identify emerging warfighting challenges.
  • Applies strategic thinking to ensure future concepts provide a decisive and enduring advantage for the Joint Force.
  • Leads the conceptual integration of emerging technologies and highly sensitive, compartmented capabilities into cohesive and viable joint warfighting frameworks.
  • Employs advanced problem-solving skills to navigate complex security and policy seams during concept development.
  • Serves as a subject matter expert providing critical advice, analysis, and recommendations on future warfighting capabilities to senior leaders across the defense enterprise.
  • Applies influence and negotiating skills in high-level joint and interagency forums to build consensus and ensure concepts are validated for transition.
  • Manages the day-to-day analytical and administrative operations of the team, including maintaining project files and preparing reports to ensure efficient mission execution

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service http://www.sss.gov
  • Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply)
  • Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
  • Work Schedule: Full time
  • Overtime: Occasionally
  • Tour of Duty: Flexible
  • Recruitment Incentives: May be Authorized
  • Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
  • Financial Disclosure: Not Required
  • Telework Eligibility: This position is SITUATIONALLY telework eligible
  • Drug Testing Designated Position: Yes
  • Employee must obtain/maintain a Special Sensitive (Top Secret/SCI) security clearance
  • The employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.
  • This position may require the employee to travel away from the normal duty station to include CONUS or OCONUS.

Qualifications

You may qualify at the GS-15 grade level, if you fulfill the following qualifications:

One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service:

  • Recognizing United States methods of warfighting, capability trends and trajectories, joint warfighting operations and operational assessments to provide analysis to senior staff and managers within the Joint Staff, Combatant Commands and Services, regarding operational issues of major importance;
  • Understanding methods of warfighting, capability trends and trajectories, joint warfighting operations and operational assessments to provide expert advice and analysis to senior staff and managers within the Joint Staff, Combatant Commands, and Services, regarding operational issues of major importance;
  • Identifying tactics, techniques, procedures, and capabilities being developed by countries and monitor future adversary threat trajectories.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.

Additional information

Re-employed Annuitant: This position does not meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/1400.25-V300.pdf

All applicants must meet qualifications and eligibility criteria by the closing date of the announcement.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Programs (
ICTAP eligibility): This program applies to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position; Well qualified is defined as possessing the type and quality of experience that exceeds the positions minimum qualifications. and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. For more information:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/

Military Spouse Preference: If you are entitled to military spouse preference, in order to receive this preference you must choose the spousal eligibility in your application package referencing MSP Military Spouse Preference. Your preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency. If you are claiming military spouse preference and qualified for the position, your name will be placed below preference eligible veteran candidates and above non-preference candidates on a list sent to the hiring manager for employment consideration. To claim Military Spouse Preference (MSP) please complete the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist, save the document and attach it to your application package.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) DoD Retained Grade Preference (RGP): In order to receive this preference, you must choose to apply using the "Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference (RGP)" eligibility. If you are claiming RGP and are determined to be Well Qualified (score of 85 or above) for the position, you will be referred to the hiring manager as a priority applicant. Information and required documentation for claiming MSP may be found at the General Applicant Information and Definitions link below. To be eligible as a RGP, you must submit the following supporting documents with your application package: a signed Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 (whs.mil)); a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) effecting the placement in retained grade status; or a copy of the notification letter you received regarding the RIF or classification downgrade.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

We will review your resume and supporting documents, to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the minimum qualifications on the information provided and evaluate your relevant work experiences as it relates to fundamental competencies, identified below, required for this position.

Competencies:

  • Developing Others
  • Influencing/Negotiating
  • Information Systems/Network Security
  • Problem Solving
  • Strategic Thinking


If you meet the minimum qualifications of this position, you may be presented with instructions on how to access the USA Hire Assessment. This additional online assessment is required and must be completed within 48 hours following the close of this announcement unless you have requested Reasonable Accommodation for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Your results will be kept on record for one year when applying for future jobs that require the same USA Hire Competency Based Assessments.

A list of qualified applicants will be created and sent to the selecting official. All applicants reviewed and/or referred will receive a notification letter.

Based on the results of this evaluation, you will be placed in one of the following quality categories:

Best Qualified:
This highest category will be used for those candidates who possess the type and quality of experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position, including any selective placement factors and/or appropriate quality ranking factor(s), as determined by the job analysis.
Highly Qualified: This higher category will be used for those candidates who possess the type and quality of experience that exceed the minimum qualifications of the position, including any selective placement factors and/or appropriate quality ranking factor(s) as determined by the job analysis.
Qualified: This lowest category will be used for those candidates that meet the minimum qualifications of the position, including all selective placement factors and appropriate quality ranking factor(s) and are proficient in some, but not all, of the requirements of the position. Candidates may require extensive training and/or orientation in order to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position. https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/competitive-hiring/#url=Category-Rating

Names of the candidates in the Best Qualified category will be sent first to the hiring manager for employment consideration. Applicants in other categories will be referred in accordance with category rating procedures.

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