USSOCOM J3 -International SOF Support SME

Position Overview

The International Special Operations Forces (SOF) Support Subject Matter Expert (SME) provides expert advisory and operational support to the J3 International (J3-I) Division at U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). Assigned to the J3-I Plans and Operations Branch, this role serves as a critical bridge between USSOCOM and its global network of Allied and Partner Nation (A/PN) SOF organizations, ensuring their capabilities and strategic interests are effectively integrated into U.S. SOF planning and operational frameworks.

The SME's primary responsibility is to provide clarity to partner nations on U.S. SOF operational requirements and coordinate PN SOF support to U.S. operations where national and security interests align. This work is conducted in close collaboration with Theater Special Operations Commands (TSOCs), key USSOCOM staff directorates (J33, J35, J5), and NATO SOF Headquarters. A secondary focus is closing partner nation operational information gaps and contributing to the development of the international SOF Common Operating Picture (SOFCOP).

Key Responsibilities

• Identify international SOF requirements and areas requiring deconfliction, synchronization, and coordination with U.S. SOF operational headquarters, TSOCs, and other command elements.
• Manage and maintain the portal-based tracking mechanism for all Partner Nation (PN) requests for support, information, and guidance; track and action U.S. requests for PN SOF support and capabilities to ensure effective support to the Combatant Commands.
• Support development of and maintain a Common Operational Picture (COP) of PN SOF operations and activities, ensuring their strategic interests are accurately represented in USSOCOM planning forums, including the Global SOF Synchronization Process (GSOS).
• Plan, schedule, draft content for, and execute coordination events-including planning meetings, Secure Video Teleconferences (SVTCs), and collaborative planning sessions-with TSOCs, SOF components, NATO SOF Headquarters, and PN SOF headquarters.
• Plan, coordinate, and prepare PN SOF inputs to key USSOCOM and TSOC planning processes, including senior leader seminars, GSOS, Trans-Regional Synchronization Forums (TRSF), Strategic Coalition Alignment Forums (SCAF), and J3-I communities of interest and communities of action.
• Enhance USSOCOM enterprise planning efforts by integrating PN SOF units and capabilities; develop and maintain metrics to assess the depth and quality of enterprise-level PN SOF integration.
• Coordinate with the Foreign Disclosure Office (FDO) for the release of USSOCOM, combatant command, and DoD plans and documents to PN SOF representatives; maintain a tracking mechanism for information requests and disclosure actions.
• Collect information from PN SOF organizations and contribute to J3-I situation reports that maintain command situational awareness and synchronize inputs across SOLO, embassy, TSOC, and Geographic Combatant Command reporting channels.
• Manage the daily operations of the J3-I facility, including access control to secure collaboration spaces, SVTC planning rooms, SCIFs, conference areas, and individual PN secure country rooms.
• Perform close-out and escort duties in accordance with the Division's Security Procedures.

Requirements & Qualifications
Education

• Bachelor's degree in any field from an accredited university.
• Graduate of a U.S. SOF component selection and assessment program, such as the U.S. Army Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC), Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S), or a service-equivalent SOF component program.
• Graduate of a Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) course, Intermediate Developmental Education (IDE) course, or Senior Professional Military Education (SPME) course.

Experience

• Minimum one (1) year of recent combat or operational experience (within the last 5 years) as a member of International Stabilization Force Afghanistan (ISAF) or a comparable multinational special operations force.
• Minimum three (3) years of recent regional experience (within the last 7 years) as a member of a Geographic Combatant Command (GCC) or Theater Special Operations Command (TSOC) staff.
• Minimum one (1) year of experience in an international SOF environment, such as an assignment to a Multinational SOF headquarters (e.g., NATO SOF HQ) or a GCC coalition coordination center.
• Experience with Foreign Disclosure policies and procedures, and demonstrated ability to work effectively within international partner information exchange frameworks.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Thorough understanding of USSOCOM's organizational structure, global SOF enterprise, and the roles of TSOCs, SOF components, and international SOF partners.
• Knowledge of U.S. security cooperation frameworks, foreign disclosure policies, and the mechanisms governing PN SOF participation in U.S. operations and planning processes.
• Strong analytical and writing skills; ability to draft clear, concise operational products, situation reports, planning documents, and correspondence for senior leader audiences.
• Proficiency with DoD information and collaboration platforms across multiple security domains (SIPR, NIPR, BICES, APAN, and related tools).
• Strong organizational and coordination skills with the ability to manage multiple simultaneous tasks, track information across diverse sources, and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Effective interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills; ability to build productive working relationships with international military representatives from diverse national backgrounds.

Clearance & Access Requirements

• Current DoD Secret clearance required; must be eligible for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access at time of hire.
• Ability to obtain and maintain access to SCIFs and classified networks in support of J3-I mission requirements.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to travel domestically and internationally in support of J3-I coordination and engagement activities.
• Must be identifiable as a contractor at all times during the performance of contract duties.

Pay Range: $1 - $1,000 per year