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Operations Planner, Delta 5

Department of the Air Force
United States Space Force Components
United States Space Force / Delta 5

Summary

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Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
05/06/2026 to 05/13/2026
Salary
$104,349 - $161,313 per year
Pay scale & grade
NH 3
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Vandenberg AFB, CA
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
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
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
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
SF-FY26-6K-NH-343-3-SPLASH
Control number
868235600

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Duties

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The United States Space Force (USSF) at Vandenberg Space Force Base is searching for an Operations Planner for Delta 5 (NH-0343-03, GS-12/13 equivalent).

Description:
Space Delta 5 at Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB), CA is searching for a well-qualified candidate to fill the Operations Planner position for the combat delta. Come join our amazing team as we Protect, Defend, Deliver, and Connect together!
There's a reason Vandenberg Space Force Base is a desirable assignment for many in the space industry. The Central Coast of California offers a unique blend of opportunities and lifestyle, including stunning Pacific Ocean views, access to world-class vineyards and agriculture, a moderate climate, and a close-knit community rooted in space exploration and innovation. While not as bustling as major metropolitan areas, the region provides a relaxed pace of life with access to outdoor activities like cycling, surfing, hiking, and exploring the California coastline.
Candidate serves as a Senior Space Planner, providing oversight to a team of highly skilled planners, strategists and operations assessment personnel who support Space Delta 5 in conducting joint and coalition space operations world-wide.


Ideal Candidate:
- Knowledge of the Joint Operational Planning and Execution System, Planning Process, Publications, Joint/Service Doctrine, policies, principles, precedents, concepts, guidance, procedures, techniques, and methodologies pertaining to the development of joint space strategies, plans, and operations.
- Knowledge of manpower concepts, laws, regulations, programs, and practices; knowledge of personnel (civilian and military) concepts, precedents, principles, operations, laws, regulations, programs, and practices. Knowledge of major issues, program goals and objectives, work processes, and administrative operations of the organization.
- Knowledge of the mission, roles, functions, organizational structures, and operation of DoD organizations to provide command level staff guidance and/or joint space planning to ensure effective execution of operations in support of Joint warfighter.
- Knowledge and skill in applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to issues or studies concerning the efficiency and effectiveness of program operations carried out by administrative or professional personnel, or substantive administrative support functions.
- Ability to analyze, plan, and adjust work operations of subordinate organizational segments to meet program requirements and objectives within available resources.
- Ability to communicate, both orally and in writing, clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy.
- Ability to apply Joint space planning in support of DoD Combatant Commanders, other governmental agencies, coalition/allied and commercial partners.

Recruitment Knowledge Skills and Abilities:
1. Practical knowledge of the Joint Operational Planning and Execution System, Planning Process, Publications, Joint/Service Doctrine, policies, principles, precedents, concepts, guidance, procedures, techniques, and methodologies pertaining to the development of joint space strategies, plans, and operations;
2. Knowledge of manpower concepts, laws, regulations, programs, and practices; knowledge of personnel (civilian and military) concepts, precedents, principles, operations, laws, regulations, programs, and practices. Knowledge of major issues, program goals and objectives, work processes, and administrative operations of the organization.
3. Knowledge of the mission, roles, functions, organizational structures, and operation of DoD organizations to provide command level staff guidance and/or joint space planning to ensure effective execution of operations in support of Joint warfighter.
4. Knowledge and skill in applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to issues or studies concerning the efficiency and effectiveness of program operations carried out by administrative or professional personnel, or substantive administrative support functions.
5. Ability to analyze, plan, and adjust work operations of subordinate organizational segments to meet program requirements and objectives within available resources.
6. Ability to communicate, both orally and in writing, clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy.
7. Ability to apply Joint space planning in support of DoD Combatant Commanders, other governmental agencies, coalition/allied and commercial partners.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S Citizen.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance.
  • May be required to handle and safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise.
  • Eligible for situational telework only, including Emergency and OPM prescribed "unscheduled telework".
  • May be required to work overtime on an unscheduled or emergency basis.
  • May be required to travel by military or commercial aircraft in the performance of TDY assignments.
  • This position will close after 5 business days or 75 applications, whichever comes first.
  • PCS/incentive funding is authorized.
  • Subject to Temporary Duty Assignment (TDY): Approximately 15 days per year.
  • This position has been designated for drug testing.

Qualifications

The 0343 series does not have an individual occupational requirement that must be met. You can view the experience level requirements here. Please scroll down to the 3rd section titled Administrative and Management Positions.

Additional information

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.

Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here.

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.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies as related to the series and grade of the position being filled. Final qualifications determinations will be assessed based on OPM's General Schedule Qualifications Standards found here:

Interviews: You will be contacted by e-mail and/or telephone if your application is identified as qualifying for a position being filled. An interview may be conducted. If interviewed, you will be asked to address the same knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies used to initially qualify your application for the position.

United States Space Force Components

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This Job Opportunity Announcement (JOA) will be used to form a pool of qualified applicants who will be considered for direct hire vacancies as they become available.

To learn more about the United States Space Force Mission click here

Agency contact information

US Space Force Enterprise Talent Management
Email
HQ.USSF.TalentAcquisition@spaceforce.mil
Address
USSF - United States Space Force Components
1670 Space Force Pentagon
Washington, DC 20330
US

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Learn more about what it's like to work at United States Space Force Components, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://spaceforce.com

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