Senior Planning Support Specialist (MARFORPAC G-5 Plans)

Overview

The Senior Planning Support Specialist drives day-to-day execution of MARFORPAC G-5 (Plans) deliberate planning support and the daily planning battle rhythm. This position is responsible for the execution of assigned planning support activities, including coordination, staffing, and production of planning products that enable informed decision-making across the Joint Planning and Execution Community (JPEC). The incumbent applies established planning processes, templates, and standards while ensuring planning actions progress efficiently from initial tasking through final completion.

Responsibilities

The Senior Planning Support Specialist will:

• 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.
• Support Operational Planning Teams (OPTs) and working groups by preparing meeting materials, developing read-ahead packages, documenting notes and action items, and managing closeout activities.
• Develop briefing decks, information papers, and planning documents for senior leader review and approval.
• Edit and format planning products to ensure clarity, consistency, and executive-ready quality using established standards.
• Maintain version control and auditable staffing and coordination records throughout multiple product iterations.
• Coordinate program-based planning tasks to align assumptions, inputs, and outputs across participating organizations.
• Support posture initiative planning activities by organizing inputs, coordinating staffing actions, and tracking implementation activities, as directed.
• Coach junior staff on battle rhythm discipline, staffing procedures, and product formatting to improve planning efficiency and overall product quality.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent practical experience) in a relevant field.
• 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).
• Minimum of seven (7) years of experience supporting military, joint, or federal civilian planning activities, including meetings, working groups, and development of senior leader staff products.
• Demonstrated proficiency producing and 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 Joint Planning and Execution Community (JPEC) processes and joint planning forums, including Operational Planning Teams (OPTs) and joint planning groups.
• Ability to comply with government workplace requirements and obtain and maintain any required access or eligibility.

Preferred Qualifications

• Intermediate Advanced Level Schools (A-ILS) planning education (e.g., JAWS, SAMS, SAW, MAWS, or SAASS).
• Relevant professional certifications (e.g., Project Management Professional (PMP)).
• Prior relevant military occupational specialty (MOS) experience (e.g., USMC 0507, 0505, 0502, 0511, or equivalent service specialties).
• Prior experience supporting or working alongside USINDOPACOM, MARFORPAC, Headquarters Marine Corps, a Combatant Command, a Service Component Headquarters, or a Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Operational execution, suspense management, and staffing discipline.
• Stakeholder coordination in high-tempo, deadline-driven environments.
• Strong written communication skills with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear, decision-ready products.
• Attention to detail, document formatting, version control, and product quality.
• Professional judgment to identify and elevate risks, conflicts, or late-breaking changes requiring government leadership attention.

Autonomy and Accountability

The Senior Planning Support Specialist is responsible for day-to-day execution of assigned planning support activities, including battle rhythm management, staffing coordination, and product delivery. The incumbent determines work sequencing and coordination approaches within established planning standards while elevating priority conflicts and tradeoff decisions to designated government leadership. This position is accountable for delivering planning products on schedule, maintaining complete staffing packages, and ensuring coordination actions are fully executed and documented.

 

Clearance Requirement: This position requires a Top Secret/SCI security clearance. Must be a U.S. citizen.

 

Physical Requirements: The ideal candidate must at a minimum be able to meet the following physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation: 

• Ability to perform repetitive motions with the hands, wrists, and fingers. 
• Ability to engage in and follow audible communications in emergency situations. 
• Ability to sit for prolonged periods at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to walk for extended periods throughout the work day including moving between buildings and covering long distances by foot.

The Nakupuna Companies use a market-based compensation strategy to ensure that our employees are compensated within applicable market ranges commensurate with multiple factors, including but not limited to the individual’s particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, as well as contract-specific affordability, organizational requirements, and position location. The projected compensation range for this position is $140,000 to $170,000 (annualized USD). The salary range displayed represents the typical salary range for this position and is just one component of Nakupuna Companies' total compensation package for employees.