Job Abstract

The Capital Area Division (CAD) of Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is seeking a Strategic Planner to support the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Customs and Border Protection (CBP). CBP is responsible securing the border and facilitating lawful trade and travel while enforcing the immigration, customs, agriculture, and other laws of the United States at the borders. As a valued contributor to our team, you will support and conduct projects requiring interdisciplinary methods including but not limited to analyzing mission and program goals and objectives, performing program evaluations, requirements analysis, cost and feasibility analysis, and discussing issues related to International Trade and Border Security.

Applicants for this position will support a variety of requirements and analysis projects for CBP. Successful candidates will have demonstrated experience with the following:

• Analyzing mission, program goals and objectives, program evaluations, analysis of program effectiveness, requirements analysis, organizational performance assessment, special studies and analysis, training, and consulting.
• Performing requirements analysis, cost/cost performance trade-off analysis, feasibility analysis, program management, and technology transfer/insertion.
• Conferring with organization officials or staff members to discuss issues, coordinate activities, or resolve problems related to International Trade, Border Security, or a related functional area.

Required Qualifications:

• Current and active CBP Tier 4 provisional (limited) or full Background Investigation (BI)
• Must be a US Citizen
• An analytic mindset, with strong problem-solving abilities
• Eagerness to learn new tools and techniques
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Teams, SharePoint), including advanced skills with Excel
• Experience providing authoritative and defensible analyses, assessments, and recommendations supporting senior leadership decisions
• Experience working with multiple stakeholder groups to reach consensus decisions
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance
• Bachelors degree in Strategic Planning or similar with 5-7 years of relevant experience OR Masters degree in Strategic Planning or similar with 3-5 years of experience

COMPANY INFORMATION:

Applied Research Associates, Inc. is an employee-owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. The company, founded in Albuquerque, NM, in 1979, currently employs over 2000 professionals. ARA offices throughout the United States and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense technologies, civil technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement. The corporation also provides sophisticated technical products for environmental site characterization, pavement analysis, and robotics.

At ARA, employees are our greatest assets. The corporation realizes that employee ownership generates greater creativity and initiative along with higher performance and customer satisfaction levels. ARA gives its employees the tools, training, and opportunities to take more active roles as owners. The culture is challenging; innovation and experimentation are the norm. Employees are eligible for contributions which not only add to the company’s success, but also their own through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The motto, “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit” sums up the ARA experience. For additional information and an opportunity to join this unique workplace, please visit our website at www.ara.com.

Please apply at www.careers.ara.com for the Strategic Planner position.