Location Camp Smith/Oahu, HI
Shift First
Description Cedar International LLC is currently seeking an Operational Planning & Posture SME. The Operational Planning & Posture SME is the branch's technical/functional authority for deliberate planning support and posture-related planning integration. The role defines and sustains planning-support rigor-standards, quality gates, and expert advisory-so high-visibility products remain coherent, defensible, and aligned with guidance across the Joint Planning and Execution Community (JPEC). Unlike the Senior role, the SME does not own daily suspense tracking/battle rhythm execution; the SME intervenes where complexity, risk, or ambiguity threatens outcomes.
Key Responsibilities - Define planning-support standards (templates, quality gates, staffing checklists, traceability expectations, version-control conventions) for branch-wide use
- Advise government leads on complex planning-support approaches (staffing strategy, integration paths, decision points, adjudication methods)
- Perform senior technical review of high-visibility briefs, information papers, and final planning documents to ensure clarity, consistency, and decision-readiness
- Resolve the hardest integration problems (conflicting guidance, misaligned assumptions, incomplete inputs) and recommend defensible tradeoffs and mitigation paths
- Translate policy/guidance into actionable planning inputs and posture initiative implications (as directed by government leads)
- Strengthen Operational Planning Team (OPT)/working group outcomes by shaping narratives, analytical framing, and decision-quality criteria (not meeting administration)
- Coach Senior and junior staff on advanced staff writing, editorial judgment, and staffing discipline through targeted reviews
- Assess systemic bottlenecks and recommend repeatable improvements to reduce rework and improve first-pass acceptance (without taking over daily execution)
Experience and Skills - Masters degree (or equivalent practical experience) in a relevant field
- Career level and intermediate level military education (Expeditionary Warfare School, Marine Corps Command and Staff College (other service equivalents))
- 10+ years deep experience supporting joint/service planning and senior-leader decision support, including production and critical review of staff products
- Demonstrated mastery of JPEC planning forums and staffing dynamics (e.g., OPTs, joint planning groups (JPGs))
- Knowledge and application experience in the Marine Corps Planning Process (MCPP) and Joint Planning Process (JPP)
- Expert capability drafting/editing planning products and enforcing consistency, traceability, and formatting discipline
- Ability to comply with government workplace requirements and obtain/maintain any required access/eligibility
Strongly Preferred - Intermediate or top-level operational planning education (e.g., JAWS/SAMS/MAWS/SAASS/Service and Joint War Colleges or Fellowships
- Senior PME (e.g., CGSC/ILE, USMC CSC, Naval/War College equivalents)
- Prior experience with USINDOPACOM, MARFORPAC, HQMC, a combatant command, Service component, or MEF HQ
- Doctoral degree in a relevant field
Skills & Competencies - Deep functional expertise in deliberate planning support and posture planning integration
- Advanced analytic framing and problem-solving under ambiguity
- Expert-level writing/editing and product coherence management
- Influence without authority; credible advisory presence with senior stakeholders
- Standards-setting, coaching, and quality assurance mindset
Physical Requirements - Willingness and ability to travel via locally provided aircraft, vehicles, and boats to remote locations.
- Ability to work in challenging environments, including high-threat areas and adverse weather conditions. Travel: Medium 25%Ability to work in secure, fast-paced operational environments.
- Must meet physical and medical standards for access to military facilities.
- Able to travel as required within PACAF/USINDOPACOM AOR.
What We Offer - Comprehensive Benefits Package
- 401k option
- Professional online learning opportunities and development
- Collaborative and supportive work environment
- Paid Time off (PTO)
- 11 Company Paid Holidays
- Relocation assistance negotiable
Full-Time/Part-Time Full-Time
Position Operational Planning & Posture SME
Position Requirements Please see the above job description
Salary $175k - $195k
Direct Contract/Indirect DepartmentDivision Cedar International Services, LLC
Close DateCreated By Daniel Berg
Number of Openings 1
Number Filled 0
Exempt/Non-Exempt Non-Exempt
Hiring Manager(s) Judge Ashmore
Open Date 4/6/2026
This position is currently accepting applications. 
