Operations Chief - Assistant Section Leader

BLUF 

Tactical Analyst III is a senior operational or technical leader responsible for shaping experimentation strategies, leading scenario design, and delivering authoritative assessments to customers. This role represents the highest level of expertise within the Tactical Analyst job family and provides strategic guidance across programs, events, and analytic efforts. 

Company Overview 

Covan Group is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) based in the National Capital Region. Our team consists of high-performing, experienced, and adaptive veterans and civilians who bring a multi-tiered perspective and deep expertise to our clients. Covan Group combines military and civilian experience across key areas, including MAGTF Planning, MEU and Special Operations, Military Instruction, Fires, Networking, Data Analytics, and Multimedia Production. Our capabilities are rooted in experience at all levels, from squad leaders to division leaders. With a strong foundation of recently separated service members—many still serving in the reserve component—Covan Group provides clients with firsthand military insight into research, development, and operational innovation. 

Key Outcomes (First 90–180 Days) 

• Learns and understands the deployment, employment, and support requirements of Operations teams, providing informed recommendations to leadership. 

• Develops a clear understanding of Operations Headquarters systems, processes, personnel, and readiness requirements. 

• Demonstrates sound judgment in identifying operational risks, resource gaps, and areas requiring leadership attention. 

• Builds effective working relationships across Operations, Planning, Data Collection, Logistics, and project leadership to support integrated execution. 

• Identifies practical opportunities to improve readiness, procedures, training, and operational effectiveness based on experience and lessons learned. 

Core Responsibilities 

Operational SME Track 

• Lead scenario development across experiments, tests, and operational evaluations. 

• Oversee after-action reviews (AARs) and synthesize findings into actionable insights. 

• Provide thought leadership on how emerging technologies can be integrated to enhance operational capability. 

• Drive end-to-end planning of events, ensuring alignment with mission objectives and customer priorities. 

Project Responsibilities 

The Operations Chief serves as the assistant section leader for Operations Headquarters and leads operations-center readiness and integration. The role coordinates personnel, systems, procedures, and support across assigned teams and events. It produces reliable situational awareness, disciplined execution, and timely escalation of operational decisions. 

• Assist the section leader in setting Operations priorities, standards, and readiness requirements. 

• Lead planning, setup, staffing, operation, and improvement of assigned operations centers. 

• Establish watch procedures, reporting standards, escalation paths, and shift coverage. 

• Synchronize Operations teams with Planning, Data Collection, Logistics, and project leadership. 

• Coordinate readiness of authorized communications, networks, workstations, displays, and facilities. 

• Maintain operational awareness and coordinate response to incidents within established authorities. 

• Review personnel, equipment, and facility requirements and recommend resource priorities. 

• Maintain Operations SOPs, training plans, checklists, and readiness assessments. 

• Brief leadership and customers on operational status, risks, constraints, and decisions. 

• Mentor Operations leads and implement improvements from event lessons learned. 

Required Qualifications 

• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance. 

• Military experience at the senior SNCO or senior officer (O4/O5) level, OR equivalent senior-level operational or technical leadership experience within a federal or state organization. 

• Demonstrated senior-level operational or technical expertise relevant to experimental design and execution. 

• Education requirement may be satisfied with appropriate experience. 

• Senior operational or technical leadership experience, including demonstrated direction of operations centers or comparable teams. 

• Experience integrating staff functions, readiness, incident reporting, and customer briefings. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience leading complex experimentation, wargames, or multi-agency evaluations. 

• Expert-level understanding of emerging technology integration and operational employment. 

• Ability to shape analytic methodologies and guide strategic assessments. 

• Experience leading experimentation or multi-organization events. 

• Relevant degree or equivalent experience. 

• Familiarity with operational networks and emerging technologies. 

Specialized Tools / Systems / Capabilities 

• Operations-center displays and reporting tools. 

• Authorized communications and collaboration systems. 

• Readiness checklists, schedules, and incident logs. 

Clearance Requirements 

• Secret required; TS/SCI strongly preferred depending on program. 

• Must maintain full compliance with all clearance reporting and security protocols. 

Work Environment & Travel 

• Remote-first role with 50-80% annual travel to customer, laboratory, and event locations. 

• Event execution may require extended days, shift work, early mornings, evenings, weekends, and schedule changes. 

• Travel is governed by Covan Group's Travel Policy. 

Compensation 

2026 Pay Band: $95,000 – $150,000 

EEOC & Accommodation Statement 

Covan Group provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request.