Operations Watch Officer

Operations Watch Officer 

BLUF

Tactical Analyst II provides mid-level operational or technical expertise in support of experimentation, analysis, field events, and technology evaluations. This role blends hands-on execution with insightful analysis, contributing meaningfully to project planning, scenario development, and data-driven assessments.

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 Operations watch structure, reporting procedures, and execution rhythms for supported events.
• Develops working knowledge of status displays, logs, schedules, communications, and turnover requirements needed for watch continuity.
• Demonstrates ability to maintain situational awareness, prioritize information, and promptly report or escalate incidents, constraints, and decision requirements.
• Builds effective coordination across Operations, Data Collection, Logistics, and project personnel while identifying practical improvements to watch reporting and turnover.

Core Responsibilities

Operational SME Track

• Participate in scenario development, structured test design, and event reporting.
• Provide operational insights into emerging technologies, integration, and employment.
• Lead portions of field execution and ensure accurate data capture.

Project Responsibilities

The Operations Watch Officer maintains operational awareness and coordinates routine execution during an assigned watch. The employee supports the Operations team by tracking activity, recording changes, maintaining logs, and communicating incidents and decisions. The role produces accurate status reporting and continuity between shifts.

• Maintain current operational status, activity logs, and assigned watch displays.
• Track event schedules, milestones, changes, and execution dependencies during the watch.
• Receive, verify, record, and distribute operational reports through approved channels.
• Coordinate routine requests with Operations, Data Collection, Logistics, and project personnel.
• Monitor personnel, equipment, communications, and support status as assigned.
• Identify incidents, constraints, and information gaps and promptly notify the team lead.
• Track decisions, actions, acknowledgments, and unresolved issues through closure.
• Conduct watch turnover using current logs, status products, and outstanding actions.
• Follow established reporting, safety notification, and escalation procedures.
• Contribute watch observations, reporting improvements, and after-action inputs.

Required Qualifications

• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance.
• Military experience at the SNCO or O3/O4 level, OR equivalent mid-level operational or coordination experience within a federal or state organization.
• Demonstrated capability in mid-level operational or technical roles.
• Education requirement may be satisfied with appropriate experience.
• Mid-level operational coordination or watch-floor experience.
• Accurate logging and reporting skills with the ability to maintain awareness, prioritize information, and communicate under time pressure.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting DoD test events, experimentation, or operational analysis.
• Familiarity with integration of sensors, networked systems, or prototype technologies.
• Ability to mentor junior team members.
• Operations-center, exercise, experimentation, or field-event experience; familiarity with operational reporting and shift turnover.

Specialized Tools / Systems / Capabilities

• Watch logs; operational displays; Microsoft 365; authorized communications; schedules and action trackers.
• Ability to rapidly learn and use assigned operational reporting, collaboration, and status-tracking systems.

Clearance Requirements

• Secret eligibility required; Secret preferred. Higher access only as required by the assigned contract or program.
• Must comply with all applicable security procedures and reporting requirements.

Work Environment & Travel

• Remote-first role with approximately 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 governed by Covan Group's Travel Policy.

Compensation

2026 Pay Band: $88,000 – $126,000

EEOC & Accommodation Statement

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