Strategic Planner

Department of the Air Force

Vandenberg AFB, California Full-time $104,349 – $161,313 Closes Jul 10, 2026

Summary

Click on “Learn more about this agency” button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.

Duties

  • PURPOSE: To serve as a joint planning subject matter expert tasked with integrating the Joint Planning Process (JPP) into adaptively planned products e.g. deliberate plans; campaign plans) developed CJFSC.
  • Provides continuous development and maintenance of portions of all CJFSC policy, planning, and assessment products that span the full range of responsibilities assigned to CJFSC.
  • Frames complex national security problems by leading analytical research studies to discern the myriad of strategic guidance documents
  • Develops globally integrated warfighting options by understanding and implementing the adaptive planning and execution (APEX) processes for joint and combined military planning to produce cooperation, competition, and warfighting options to the CCDR.
  • Develops globally integrated CCMD deliberate plans by synthesizing the results of the problem & solution framing into CCMD plans that cross the Cooperation & Competition, Crisis, and Armed Conflict spectrum.
  • Establish, lead, and manage operational planning teams (OPTs), joint planning groups (JPGs), and/or other planning initiatives on behalf of the J5 Directorate in support of Component campaign and deliberate planning.

Required Documents

  • The following documents are required and must be provided with your application.
  • Applicants who do not submit required documentation to determine eligibility and qualifications will be eliminated from consideration.
  • Other documents may be required based on the eligibility/eligibilities you are claiming.
  • Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide and the required documents you must submit to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming.
  • Online Application: Questionnaire Resume: Your resume may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts.
  • You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume is illegible/unreadable.
  • Additional information on resume requirements can be located under "How To Apply".
  • Transcripts/Registration/License: If qualifying on education/position requires education, you must submit copies of your transcripts and if required for the position, submit an active, current registration/license.
  • Veterans: If claiming VEOA, VRA or 30% Disabled Veteran
  • Submit VOW certification memo or copy of the official DD Form 214, which must include the character of service (i.e., with an honorable or general discharge).
  • This will be annotated in block 24 on member copy 2, 4, or 7 of the DD Form 214.
  • If claiming 30% Disabled Veteran, you must also submit a VA Letter or a disability determination from a branch of the Armed Forces.
  • All veterans claiming 10-point preference must also submit a SF-15 form.
  • Current or Former Federal Civilian Employees (includes current Air Force employees): You must submit a legible copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, AND a SF-50 reflecting the highest grade held if different from your
  • The SF-50, block 24 must contain "1" or "2" AND block 34 must be a "1".
  • Employees eligible under an OPM approved interchange agreement, block 34 may contain a "1" or "2".
  • Promotion Consideration: If you wish to be considered as a promotion candidate and your SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you meet the one-year time-in-grade requirements.
  • You will need to provide additional SF-50s which clearly demonstrates you meet the time-in-grade requirements (examples of appropriate SF-50s include Promotions, Within-Grade, Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s with an effective date more than one year old).
  • ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: The VOW Act requires federal agencies to treat an eligible active duty service member as a veteran, disabled veteran, and preference eligible (as applicable) when applying for civil service positions before the effective release
  • Or discharge date.
  • Appointment of military members before the release or discharge date is permissible if the member is on terminal leave.
  • At the time the active duty member applies for a civil position, he or she must submit a "certification" memo in lieu of a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.
  • Active duty members applying for a civil service position without submitting a valid certification memo or DD Form 214 with their application will render the member ineligible for the position.
  • The certification memo must originate from the member's military service branch on official letterhead and contain the following:
  • Name/Rank/Grade of Service Member Branch of Armed Forces Dates of Active
  • Service (Start and End Date(s) Expected Date of Discharge/Release from Active Duty
  • Terminal leave start date (if applicable)
  • Expected character of service (honorable or general) and type of separation (i.e. separation or retirement)
  • Must be certified within 120 days of anticipated discharge
  • Signature by, or by direction of the adjutant, personnel office, unit commander, or higher headquarters commander. Note: The
  • VOW Act provides tentative preference. If appointed, a
  • DD Form 214 must be submitted upon receipt. OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS: Performance Appraisals for Current Federal Civilian Employees
  • Most recent performance appraisals (dated within last 3 years) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable. Awards for Current Federal Civilian employees
  • List any awards received within the last 3 years on the resume. Note: Applicant must not submit award Notification of Personnel Actions (SF50s).

About this role

The STRATEGIC PLANNER position and is based in Vandenberg AFB, California. Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.

Day to day, the work involves PURPOSE: To serve as a joint planning subject matter expert tasked with integrating the Joint Planning Process (JPP) into adaptively planned products e.g. deliberate plans; campaign plans) developed CJFSC. The full list of duties, conditions, and required documents appears in the official announcement linked on this page.

Who should apply

Review the announcement's Qualifications section closely, since it defines exactly what federal service experience this STRATEGIC PLANNER position requires. Match your federal resume directly to the announcement's wording so a reviewer can confirm each requirement in writing. For this STRATEGIC PLANNER position in Vandenberg AFB, California, confirm you meet each requirement before applying.

How competitive it is

Competitiveness for this STRATEGIC PLANNER role depends mainly on how closely applicants match the stated qualifications. Based in Vandenberg AFB, California, it competes within that local market, which can mean lighter competition than major metropolitan postings.

This overview is general guidance from Job Army to help you understand the role. Always read the official announcement for exact duties, qualifications, and requirements before applying.

Job Details

Department Department of the Air Force
Job Type Full-time
Location Vandenberg AFB, California
Salary $104,349 – $161,313
Pay Period Per Year
Closing Date Jul 10, 2026
Posted Jul 2, 2026
Source ID 9C-AFPC-12999768-378614-NW
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