Deputy Director Plans and Policy

Summary

As the Deputy Director for Plans and Policy (DJ5) at USSTRATCOM, you serve as the senior civilian executive leading global strategic deterrence during a complex shift to a multi-polar nuclear landscape. Working with the J5 Director, you oversee day-to-day operations and a diverse workforce. Your mission is dual-track: sustaining legacy systems while rapidly modernizing capabilities across cyber and space, acting as a key diplomat to OSW/OSD and the NSC.

Duties

Help

The Deputy Director for Plans and Policy (DJ5) at USSTRATCOM is the senior civilian executive responsible for ensuring that all strategic operational plans and nuclear employment concepts strictly align with Title 10 and Title 50 of the U.S. Code, international law, and arms control treaties. To maintain democratic oversight and safeguard public trust, the Deputy Director establishes transparent communication channels with congressional committees, the White House, and defense oversight bodies, translating highly classified capabilities into clear briefings. As the primary champion for human-in-the-loop systems integrity, the incumbent systematically audits artificial intelligence and machine learning integrations within warning systems to protect presidential decision-making authority. Operational efficiency is driven through calculated risk management, balancing the fail-safe sustainment of legacy platforms with the rapid scaling of modernized kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities. The Deputy Director exercises direct executive control over an operational budget of up to $9.2 million-including key portfolios like Deterrence Assurance Planning Support ($1.6M-$1.8M) and Tri-lab funding ($2.7M-$3.1M)-by streamlining contract integration and holding contractors to performance-based benchmarks. Efficiency is further enhanced by adopting advanced software, big data analytics, and cloud tools to automate routine administrative workflows, freeing human intelligence for high-priority strategic analysis.

This role demands elite cognitive agility to transition between zero-defect nuclear operations and the agile thinking required to navigate space, cyber, and electromagnetic spectrum domains. Serving as the chief futurist, the Deputy Director leads long-range intelligence-fusion efforts to anticipate adversary technological breakthroughs, such as hypersonics and quantum communications, and preemptively adjusts USSTRATCOM's strategic posture. Applying authoritative technical expertise in Joint doctrine and nuclear command and control, the incumbent designs unified plans integrating conventional, nuclear, and non-kinetic options. Leading a highly specialized joint workforce of approximately 190 active military, 205 federal civilians, and 37 contractor personnel, the Deputy Director builds a collaborative culture of innovation and psychological safety where personnel can challenge outdated processes without reprisal. This leadership actively supports physical, mental, and professional resilience while cultivating future national security leaders through dedicated mentorship and succession planning for the Senior Executive Service and flag-officer ranks.

To achieve critical results, the Deputy Director acts as USSTRATCOM's primary senior diplomat in Washington, D.C., negotiating policy and resource allocations with 4-star generals, the Secretary of War/Defense, the Joint Staff, and the National Security Council. The incumbent dismantles institutional silos between Combatant Commands by leading cross-functional working groups to synchronize global deterrence postures. By leveraging a mature, pre-existing network across the Joint Staff, OSW/OSD, the Department of Energy, the Department of State, and the Intelligence Community, the Deputy Director rapidly resolves coordination deadlocks during fast-breaking crises. Ultimately, these efforts deliver highly integrated, timely, and credible strategic options to the President, combining kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities to preserve vital presidential decision space during national security emergencies.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
• Disclosure of Political Appointments.
• Mobility is a condition of employment and appointment for SES members will be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligations Agreement.
• Selected candidate must file a Executive Personnel Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 278) in accordance with the Ethics in Government Act of 1978.
• Position has been designated Special-Sensitive and the selectee must have or be able to obtain a Top Secret clearance.
• Drug testing designated position. The incumbent is subject to random testing for drug use IAW Exec. Order 12564, dated 14 Sep 86. Position requires that the incumbent sign a Drug Testing letter and pass urinalysis testing prior to appointment.
• Position requires travel under conditions specified in the DoW Joint Travel Regulations. Incumbent is expected to travel on short notice to attend high-level meetings.
• Position may require incumbent to be available for other than normal duty hours to include weekends to support exercises and crisis planning.
• An initial SES career appointment becomes final only after the individual successfully completes a 1-year probationary period.
• Attendance to the Air Force's Senior Leader Orientation Course (SLOC) is generally required within 12 months of appointment, subject to course availability.
• Position may be subject to the post-government employment restrictions of Sections 207(a) and (f) of Title 18, United States Code.
• Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoW Policy on The Employment of Annuitants.

Qualifications

Eligibility will be based upon a clear showing the applicant has education, training, and experience of the scope and quality sufficient to effectively carry-out the duties of the position. Candidates must exemplify the corporate perspective, leadership vision, broad experience and character needed in the SES corps not only to satisfy the immediate vacancy, but future vacancies which will occur in a variety of organizations, functions and locations. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

In accordance with new OPM requirements to streamline Senior Executive Service (SES) hiring, applicants are no longer required to submit lengthy narrative essays, including those for Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or Mandatory Technical Qualifications (TQs), when applying. Instead, the initial application will be resume-only, capped at two pages. This change streamlines the application process and more closely aligns with private industry practices. Applicants identified for potential selection will have their ECQs assessed by undergoing a structured interview with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Review Board (QRB).

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the education, Technical Qualifications (TQ), and Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) related to this position within your resume (not to exceed 2 pages).

Resumes over the 2-page limit will be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position.

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that satisfy the technical qualifications.

TQ1. Constitutional Literacy, Democratic Oversight, Civic Trust, Treaty/Statutory Compliance. Directs the development and legal review of all operational plans (OPLANs) to include nuclear employment concepts. Ensures that all plans conform strictly to Title 10 (Armed Forces) and Title 50 (War and National Defense) of the U.S. Code, international humanitarian law, and standing arms control treaties. Establishes and maintains transparent, authoritative channels of communication with congressional committees, the White House, and defense oversight bodies. Translates highly classified operational capabilities and requirements into clear, unclassified and classified briefings that support legislative oversight and safeguard the public trust.

TQ2. Strategic Integration, Interagency Diplomacy, Portfolio Synchronization, Outcome Delivery. Acts as the primary "senior diplomat" for USSTRATCOM strategy, policy, and plans issues in Washington, D.C., representing the command's strategic equities with fierce diplomacy in high-stakes forums. Routinely briefs, advises, and negotiates policy and resource allocations with 4-Star General Officers, the Secretary and Undersecretaries of War/Defense, the Joint Staff Operations Deputies (OpsDeps), and White House National Security Council staff. Leverages collaborative executive authority to dismantle institutional barriers between Combatant Commands (CCMDs). Leads cross-functional, inter-organizational working groups to synchronize USSTRATCOM's global deterrence posture with the geographic and functional operations of partner commands, producing integrated, multi-domain options for the President. Deploys a mature, pre-existing network of high-level contacts across the Joint Staff, the Office of the Secretary of War (OSW)/Defense, the Department of Energy (DOE), the Department of State, and the Intelligence Community. Mobilizes this network to rapidly resolve coordination deadlocks and build consensus during fast-breaking strategic crises. Delivers highly integrated, timely, and credible strategic options to the President. Ensures these options combine kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities, are thoroughly vetted against adversary perceptions and force availability, and directly preserve presidential decision space during national security emergencies.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): All new appointees to the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the five mandatory ECQs:

ECQ 1. Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding: Demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.

ECQ 2. Driving Efficiency: Demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.

ECQ 3. Merit and Competence: Demonstrated knowledge, ability, and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.

ECQ 4. Leading People: Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable.

ECQ 5. Achieving Results: Demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.

Please note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program, or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you must attach proof (e.g., SF-50 or Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.

Education

A bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited institution is highly desired.

Additional information

In addition, DoW requires an Enterprise Perspective. The individual must possess a broad point of view and an awareness and understanding of individual or organizational responsibilities in relation to DoW or government-wide strategic priorities. Executives must demonstrate an ability to work with internal and external partners to support national security objectives. This perspective is typically gained through a variety of diverse work experiences. This information should be embedded within the resume.

Tiering: The Department of the Air Force structures its SES positions into tiers to determine the pay range for each position. The categories are based on the position scope, breadth, functions, and placement within the structure of organizational levels across the Department.

Salary: $151,662.00 - $219,000.00 per annum. (Air Force Tier 2) SES members are eligible for bonuses and/or ranks and stipends in addition to annual salary. SES members are eligible for Performance-Based Salary increases and/or bonuses.

Area of Consideration: Applications will be accepted from all qualified persons.

Mobility: Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES leaders and generally is a key to advancement. Therefore, mobility is a condition of employment and appointed SES members will be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligation Agreement.

Veterans' Preference: Veterans' preference is not applicable to the SES.

Relocation Authorized: Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is authorized in accordance with the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR).

Recruitment/Relocation Incentive: May be offered.

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

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

Tax Law Impact for PCS: On 22-Dec-2017, Public Law 115-97 - the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017" suspended qualified moving expense deductions along with the exclusion for employer reimbursements and payments of moving expenses effective 01-Jan-2018 for tax years 2018 through 2025. When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit