Job Information
SAIC Senior Planning Support Specialist in Camp Smith, Hawaii
Description
The Senior Planning Support Specialist drives day-to-day execution of MARFORPAC G-5 (Plans) deliberate planning support and the daily planning battle rhythm. The role owns delivery of assigned planning support outputs—coordination, staffing, and product production—so leaders receive on-time, decision-ready materials that enable execution across the Joint Planning and Execution Community (JPEC). This role applies established templates/standards and ensures planning actions move from tasking to closure.
Key Responsibilities
Lead assigned planning support efforts across operational, functional, campaign, and posture planning cycles to meet directed timelines
Synchronize inputs across USINDOPACOM, Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC), MARFORPAC staff divisions, adjacent components/sub-unified commands, and Marine Expeditionary Forces (MEFs)
Manage planning tasks, suspense dates, staffing actions, decision points, and follow-through to reduce delays and rework
Run Operational Planning Team (OPT) and working group support (prep, read-aheads, notes/actions, closeout)
Develop briefing decks, information papers, and planning documents for senior leader review/approval
Edit and format products to ensure clarity, consistency, and executive-ready quality using established standards
Maintain version control and auditable staffing/coordination records across iterations
Coordinate program-based planning tasks to align assumptions, inputs, and outputs across organizations
Support posture initiative planning activities by organizing inputs, staffing actions, and implementation tracking (as directed)
Coach junior staff on battle rhythm discipline, staffing hygiene, and product formatting to improve throughput
Qualifications
Bachelors and ten (10) years or more of related experience; Masters and eight (8) years or more experience ; PhD or JD and five (5) years or more experience.
Career level school completion (e.g. Expeditionary Warfare School or other service equivalents)
Intermediate Level Schools (ILS) completion (e.g. Marine Corps Command and Staff College or other service equivalents)
7+ years ’ experience supporting military, joint, or federal civilian planning (meetings/working groups, staff products for senior leaders)
Demonstrated proficiency producing/editing briefing decks, information papers, and formal planning documents
Demonstrated education and application of the Marine Corps Planning Process (MCPP) and the Joint Planning Process (JPP).
Familiarity with JPEC processes and joint planning forums (e.g., OPTs, joint planning groups)
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
Autonomy, Decision Authority & Accountability
Owns technical/functional standards and review thresholds for planning-support quality (government leads retain final approval authority)
Decides when to elevate quality risks and require additional review cycles for high-visibility products
Accountable for reducing defects, preventing misalignment with guidance, and improving first-pass acceptance of key deliverables
Target salary range: $120,001 - $160,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.
REQNUMBER: 2610981
SAIC is a premier technology integrator, solving our nation's most complex modernization and systems engineering challenges across the defense, space, federal civilian, and intelligence markets. Our robust portfolio of offerings includes high-end solutions in systems engineering and integration; enterprise IT, including cloud services; cyber; software; advanced analytics and simulation; and training. We are a team of 23,000 strong driven by mission, united purpose, and inspired by opportunity. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $6.5 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For information on the benefits SAIC offers, see Working at SAIC. EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability