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Assistant Director, Office of Firearms and Tactical Programs

Department of Homeland Security
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Office of the Director

Summary

The Assistant Director of the Office of Firearms and Tactical Programs is a key member of ICE's senior executive leadership team and plays a critical role in supporting and advancing the DHS and ICE missions through strategic planning and law enforcement operations.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/18/2026 to 04/01/2026
Salary
$151,661 to - $228,000 per year
Pay scale & grade
ES 00
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Washington, DC
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Senior Executive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
ICESES/26-12878736
Control number
861531700

Duties

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The Assistant Director (AD) of the Office of Firearms and Tactical Programs (OFTP) is a Senior Executive Service position within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Department of Homeland Security (DHS). OFTP provides specialized firearms and tactical training, along with law enforcement equipment, support, and policy, to all ICE law enforcement programs and officers to promote officer and public safety and enable effective execution of ICE's law enforcement mission.

OFTP's responsibilities include ICE-wide strategic planning, policy, and operations related to the research, testing, selection, and procurement of authorized firearms, ammunition, body armor, and law enforcement equipment; post-basic, advanced, and specialized training and tactics-including Special Response Team (SRT) operations; use-of-force and defensive tactics training; and firearms inspection, repair, maintenance, and disposal. OFTP also provides program services to other federal law enforcement agencies.

The AD oversees OFTP law enforcement and non-law enforcement resources across multiple U.S. locations, exercising broad delegated authority to manage, direct, advocate, and implement all aspects of OFTP operations in support of ICE's strategic goals and objectives and its law enforcement missions.

Additionally, the AD, OFTP:

  • Oversees a large, geographically dispersed, multidisciplinary workforce engaged in all aspects of OFTP operations, providing day-to-day direction through subordinate managers, supervisors, and staff directors. Reports to the ICE Deputy Director and is responsible for determining which programs or major projects should be initiated, discontinued, or modified, establishing appropriate timelines, and justifying resource allocation to OFTP programs and projects in alignment with ICE and Directorate priorities.
  • Determines and develops OFTP program strategic goals and objectives, ensuring successful implementation across the organization. Manages programs that directly impact ICE's ability to fulfill its mission and support DHS objectives. Develops strategies and policies to mitigate threats, uphold the OFTP mission, and maintain data integrity.
  • Designs and develops the organizational structure to support mission accomplishment in the most efficient and cost-effective manner. Establishes and maintains performance metrics through subordinate managers and supervisors to monitor work status and assess organizational effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity. Identifies program deficiencies and implements corrective actions to ensure continued program operations in support of the organization's mission, goals, and objectives.
  • Ensures consistent understanding, implementation, and compliance with all relevant criminal and civil immigration laws, regulations, and policies in support of DHS, ICE, and OFTP missions. Develops and implements policies and guidelines for critical law enforcement programs, translating new legislation into actionable program goals and policies. Serves as an ICE law enforcement authority, advising top agency executives and formulating policies and objectives with broad, long-term impact on ICE law enforcement programs.
  • Collaborates with and provides counsel to ICE senior executive leadership and management officials across organizational lines to resolve complex issues. Advises the Deputy Director on all aspects of assigned programs and independently manages office operations, including sensitive matters. Represents ICE at conferences, meetings, and with counterparts regarding OFTP programs. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with international, federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies, as well as private sector partners, to advance program responsibilities.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen.
  • Subject to a 1-year supervisory probationary period (unless already completed).
  • Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
  • If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
  • May be subject to pre-employment and random drug tests.
  • File a Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-278e) within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.
  • You may be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
  • Experience in a primary law enforcement position or equivalent experience outside the federal government is a prerequisite.
  • This position requires the incumbent to carry a firearm. Any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime or domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9)).

Qualifications

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

To meet the minimum qualifications requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Technical Qualifications (TQs) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified.Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position. There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the ECQs or TQs.

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the TQs.

  • TQ 1: Demonstrated mastery-level knowledge of, and advanced skill in applying laws, regulations, theories, concepts, practices, and principles governing criminal and civil immigration law enforcement work, including constitutional and statutory authorities, investigative procedures and techniques, and specialized law enforcement methodologies, enabling effective management of ICE's law enforcement operations.
  • TQ 2: Demonstrated expertise in applying advanced management and organizational theories, principles, and methodologies to provide strategic direction and executive leadership.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the TQs listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position.
  • ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding - This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.
  • ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.
  • ECQ 3: Merit and Competence - This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.
  • ECQ 4: Leading People - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable.
  • ECQ 5: Achieving Results - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.

Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in a U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM)-approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50 or certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Law Enforcement Retirement: This position carries secondary law enforcement coverage as provided by 5 U.S.C. § 8336(c) and § 8412(d) for eligible law enforcement employees, which does not carry mandatory retirement. However, some employees may be subject to mandatory separation depending on their individual status.

Veterans' Preference: Veterans' preference is not applicable to the SES.

Mobility: Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES leaders. Individuals selected for SES positions may be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines, and may be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligation Agreement.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Statement: http://www.eeoc.gov/federal/index.cfm

Employment Information Resources - Resource Center: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to

Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx).

OPM must authorize any employment offers made to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Noncareer SES employees in the executive branch. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Noncareer SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the Human Resources Office.

There are three key documents that contain important information about your rights and obligations. Please read and retain these documents:

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be conducted. If you meet minimum qualifications, your application package will be further reviewed to determine if you possess the ECQs and TQs listed above. The ECQs and TQs must be thoroughly addressed within your 2-page resume. Separate narratives will not be accepted or reviewed. Highly qualified applicants may undergo one or more interviews and may be referred to the selecting official for further consideration.

Upon selection, if not already a member of the SES serving under a career appointment, the individual(s) selected must have their executive qualifications certified by the OPM SES QRB before appointment. The selected individual's application will be forwarded to OPM for review and certification by the QRB, unless the selectee provides evidence of their noncompetitive status (i.e., a current SES, QRB-certified SESCDP graduate, or SES reinstatement eligible).

Upon QRB certification, the selected individual will be required to serve a one-year probationary period. For more information regarding the SES, go to https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/.

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