Federal

Senior Strategic Advisor

Office of the Secretary of Defense ยท Department of Defense
๐Ÿ“ Alexandria, Virginia GG-15 $169,279 - $197,200/yr
Posted: Mar 11, 2026 Deadline: Mar 16, 2026 (Closed days left)

About This Position

This position is located in the Department of War, Office of the Secretary of War, DoW Chief Information Office (CIO), Workforce Innovation Directorate (WID). The WID oversees the creation and maintenance of cybersecurity policies and strategies consistent with DoW CIO's objectives and national policy and is also responsible for the design and implementation of the DoW Cyber Excepted Service personnel system, cyber human resources policies, and cyber human capital strategy.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for this position, you must meet the requirements described below.

You may qualify at the GG 15 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement: One year of qualifying experience equivalent to the GG 14 (or equivalent) level performing 1) Performing strategic-level policy analysis and program oversight for complex, mission oriented programs; 2) Developing, interpreting, or implementing policies or guidance impacting organizational or enterprise-level operations; and 3) Conducting program evaluation and performance analysis, providing senior leadership advisory support, and managing or overseeing budgetary resources in support of program objectives. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social).

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. All qualifications requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement and clearly documented in your resume.

Your resume may not exceed two (2) pages. For qualifications determinations, it is recommended that applicants include their months and hours worked per week for each employment listed on their resume. If a determination is not able to be made about the duration of your creditable experience for qualification requirements, you will be removed from consideration.

Read more about what should I include in my federal resume at https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: Federal agencies treat active duty service member as veterans, disabled veterans, and preference eligible, when they submit, as part of their application package, a "certification" of active service in lieu of a DD-214, indicating the service member is otherwise eligible and will be discharged or released within 120 days from the date of submission.. A "certification" letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. This "certification" must include your rank, dates of active duty service, type of discharge and character of service (i.e. honorable), and date any terminal leave will begin.

It must be signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters. Active duty members that fail to provide a valid "certification" of service with their initial application will be found "not eligible". Members may be appointed before the effective date of their military retirement/separation if they are on terminal leave.

Major Duties

This position is a DoD Cyber Excepted Service (CES) personnel system position in the Excepted Service under 10 U.S.C. 1599f. For more information on the Cyber Excepted Service Personnel System, click here If you are a current Federal Career/Career-Conditional employee, you will be placed on an Excepted appointment. Incumbents typical work assignments may include the following: Oversees programs to shape the future of the cyber workforce by leading talent forecasting efforts, building robust pipelines through strategic partnerships (e.g., with Federal, DoW, academia, industry), and designing tailored programs to retain our most valuable experts.

Provides advice and guidance to resolve, implement, or manage program or policy issues involving major areas of uncertainty in approach or methodology. Makes major recommendations and decisions related to policy formulation and long-range planning in connection with prospective changes in functions and programs. Develops and execute strategic communication plans to build consensus and advance national cyber workforce initiatives, influencing key stakeholders from academia, industry, and government.

Translates complex analyses and strategic goals into a comprehensive Cyber Workforce Strategic Plan and Implementation Plan, driving the coordination, publication, and communication efforts to ensure its successful adoption across the enterprise. Conducts budgetary oversight; performs long-range planning and management of substantive grant and/or cooperative agreement programs where precedents are scarce or there are large gaps in program guidelines.

Education

There is no substitution of education for the qualifying experience at the GG-15 grade level.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated based on a review of your resume and supporting documents by a panel of subject matter experts. The panel will assess your experience relative to the required competencies for this position.

You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Budget Execution Decision Making Oral and Written Communication Oral Communication Program Planning, Review and Evaluation DOD PPP candidates using Application-Based Procedures: Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: Military Spouse Preference applicants, must be selected and placed at the highest grade level for which they have applied and been determined best qualified.

You must include a completed copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD-3145-4) dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Spouse Preference. Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians PPP Eligible: MR and NG technicians PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified.

You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD-3145-3) to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician preference. Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians Receiving Disability Retirement PPP Eligible: MR and NG technicians receiving disability retirement PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified.

You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD-3145-2) to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability preference. Retained Grade PPP Eligible: Retained Grade PPP applicants, must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified.

You must include a completed copy of the Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD-3145-1) to verify your eligibility for Retained Grade preference.

Additional Information

Probationary Periods: New appointees in CES may be required to serve a 3 year probationary period. Because this position is in the Cyber Excepted Service, Veterans' Preference will be applied to preference eligible candidates, as defined by Section 2108 of the Title 5 U.S.C. in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 3005, "CES Employment and Placement." If you are a veteran claiming veteran's preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you must submit documents verifying your eligibility with your application package. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing an online application, you may request an alternative application.

Please send an email to the following address for information on how to obtain an alternative application: [email protected] Reemployed Annuitants: Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants (DODI 1400.25, volume 300). http://www.esd.whs.mil/DD/DoD-Issuances/140025/ Current or Former Political Appointees: Agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level. If you are currently or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Human Resources Office. Nepotism: Under the provisions of 5 USC 3110, an individual may not be appointed into a position if the position is under the supervisory chain of command of a relative.

Additional vacancies may be filled by this announcement.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply to access the online application.

You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.

Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package.

Your resume cannot exceed two pages. See the Required Documents section above for more information.

You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted.

Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process, and it is your responsibility to ensure that they do so successfully.

After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.

You will be taken to the online application and questionnaire which you must complete in order to apply for the position.

Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. Read the Eligibility questions carefully.

Your responses will affect your consideration for the position.

You may qualify for more than one eligibility, so please choose carefully.

You will only be considered under the options you have selected. If you respond that you do not meet any of the eligibility questions, you will not be considered for this position. To view the questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12899081 Do not email or send hard copy resumes/applications to the Contact Information or Agency Information listed in this vacancy announcement.

All resumes/applications received at the addresses listed in the Contact Information or Agency Information will be destroyed and will not be considered for this vacancy announcement. It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that all information in their resume and documents are legible and accurate. HR will not modify answers/documents submitted by an applicant.

Required Documents

YOU ARE REQUIRED TO DOCUMENT IN YOUR APPLICATION PACKAGE EVIDENCE THAT SUPPORTS YOUR ELIGIBILITY AND QUALIFICATION CLAIMS.

You MUST upload the applicable documents with your application package. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.

  1. All applicants are required to submit a resume limited to two (2) pages showing all relevant experience.

Your resume must address your technical qualifications for the position, and it may not exceed two (2) pages.

Your 2-page (or less) resume must be in PDF format, with no smaller than a 1" margin and no smaller than a 10-point font. If you submit a resume that exceeds the two-page limit and/or does not meet the margin or font limitations stated herein, you will immediately be deemed ineligible for this position and will receive no further consideration. If you submit a resume that exceeds the two-page limit and/or does not meet the margin or font limitations stated herein, you will immediately be deemed ineligible for this position and will receive no further consideration.

If you submit more than one copy of your resume, only the most recent version will be reviewed. The latest timestamp will be used to determine which version of your resume is "most recent." If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations and you will not be considered for this vacancy.

  1. Other supporting documents: Cover Letter, optional Most recent SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action" showing you are/were in the competitive service and the highest grade held. It is recommended you provide a SF-50 within the last 52 weeks before the closing date of this JOA for current federal employees.

We will use the employment date and grade on your resume in conjunction with the provided SF-50 to help determine initial eligibility, but may require additional information to confirm at the job offer stage if needed. College Transcript(s), if qualifying based on education. Official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

DD-214, SF-15 Form and VA letter, or certification of expected discharge or release from active duty from Veterans for consideration under Veteran hiring authorities DoD Priority Placement Program applicant supporting documentation - See the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section of this announcement Other Noncompetitive appointment authority documentation, if applicable DOES THIS POSITION REQUIRE A LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE? You are strongly encouraged to provide a copy of your license or certificate in your application package. It is also acceptable to document your license number and the name of the licensing authority in your resume.

ARE YOU A VETERAN CLAIMING SOLE SURVIVORSHIP PREFERENCE OR 5-POINT VETERANS' PREFERENCE?

1.

You must provide legible copy/copies of the following: DD-214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," showing all dates of service, type of discharge as well as character of service (Honorable, General, etc.) or Statement of Service/Proof of Service (in lieu of a DD-214) from your command or local Personnel Support Detachment (PSD). The Statement of Service/Proof of Service must provide all dates of service, the expected date of discharge and anticipated character of service (Honorable, General, etc.). Veterans should upload their DD-214 once they receive it upon separation.

  1. You should also document your complete military service information in the Veterans Preference and Military Service Section of the assessment questionnaire (type of preference, dates of service, date of VA letter, character of service, disability claim and rank and date of retirement if retired). ARE YOU A DISABLED VETERAN or CLAIMING 10-POINT VETERANS' PREFERENCE?
  2. Disabled veterans, veterans, widows, spouses or the mother of a veteran, who are eligible for 10-point veterans' preference, you must provide legible copies of the following: Applicable supporting documents as noted on Standard Form-15 (SF-15). To obtain a copy of SF-15, go to: https://help.usajobs.gov/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/veterans ARE YOU A CURRENT OR FORMER POLITICAL SCHEDULE A, SCHEDULE C, NON-CAREER SES OR PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTEE EMPLOYEE?Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment: Position title Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee) Agency; and Beginning and ending dates of appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary for the Senior Strategic Advisor position at Office of the Secretary of Defense?
The salary range for this position is $169,279 - $197,200/yr. This is a GG-15 position on the General Schedule pay scale. Actual pay may vary based on locality adjustments.
Where is the Senior Strategic Advisor job located?
This position is located in Alexandria, Virginia. This is an on-site position.
What qualifications do I need?
In order to qualify for this position, you must meet the requirements described below. You may qualify at the GG 15 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement: One year of qualifying experience equivalent to the GG 14 (or equivalent) level performing 1) Performing strategic-level policy analysis and program oversight for compl...
How do I apply for this position?
Apply through USAJobs.gov by clicking the 'Apply on USAJobs' button. You'll need a USAJobs account, a federal-style resume, and supporting documents. The deadline is Mar 16, 2026.
Is a security clearance required?
Yes, a Sensitive Compartmented Information clearance is required.
What does GG-15 mean?
GG-15 refers to the General Schedule grade level. Higher grades require more experience and offer higher pay. Visit our GS Pay Scale page for full salary tables by grade and locality.
What benefits do federal employees receive?
Federal employees receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (FEHB), retirement through FERS, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with government matching, paid annual and sick leave, paid parental leave, life insurance, and student loan repayment programs.