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Deputy Associate Director, Field Operations Directorate

Department of Homeland Security
Citizenship and Immigration Services
Field Operations Directorate

Summary

The Deputy Associate Director reports to the Associate Director, Field Operations Directorate, who provides general guidance and administrative direction. The work is performed independently, with the technical aspects reviewed only as to the soundness of recommendations made and actions taken under delegated authority, and with performance evaluated in terms of overall administrative and operational accomplishment.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
04/27/2026 to 05/11/2026
Salary
$151,661 - $228,000 per year
Pay scale & grade
ES 00
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Camp Springs, MD
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
00
Job family (Series)
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
ERS-67421-26-ES-FOD
Control number
866756300

Duties

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U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). We lawfully administer immigration and naturalization adjudication functions and establish immigration services policies and priorities.

The Field Operations Directorate oversees and manages the day-to-day operations of the Western Region Office, Central Region Office, Northeast Region Office, Southeast Region Office, the National Benefits Center, the Immigrant Investor Program Office, 16 District Offices and 89 Field Offices located throughout the continental US, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, Saipan and the U.S. Virgin Islands.


Major Duties

The Deputy Associate Director (DAD) oversees all aspects of the Field Operations Directorate, including management of a headquarters staff, and is nationally accountable for the Field Operations Directorate. He/she plans, coordinates, and ensures consistent administration of the Field Operations Directorate in accordance with USCIS-wide requirements.

The DAD develops national policies, regulations, standard operating procedures, guidelines, and training programs, and all fiscal resources of the Field Operations Directorate.

The DAD develops long-range and short-term strategic plans; develops and tracks performance measures; and allocates staffing and other resources. The Deputy Associate Director will ensure USCIS is able to promote uniform implementation of immigration benefits policy in support of its goal to further national security, to continue eliminating adjudication backlogs, and to implement solutions for improving customer services.

The DAD establishes and maintains liaison with all clients and stakeholders with respect to operations both internal and external to the government. Serves as chief USCIS spokesperson for all operations. He/she must effectively and tactfully present the policies and views of the Field Operations Directorate, USCIS, and DHS in giving and seeking cooperation and reciprocity.

As a member of the agency's executive team, you will implement the President's Management Agenda within your specific area of responsibility. For an overview of the various responsibilities USCIS carries out within the Government, visit our website at http://www.uscis.gov.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National to apply for this position
  • 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.
  • Subject to a 1-year supervisory probationary period (unless already completed).
  • Excess pages will not be considered, if documents exceed page limits.
  • File a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report OGE-278e within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.
  • May be subject to pre-employment and random drug tests
  • 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
  • Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency

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 qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) 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.

Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an 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, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.

There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs). The ECQs and TQs should be evident in the
2-page resume.


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

TQ 1: Demonstrated executive level leadership in overseeing operational programs that directly impact the national security or homeland security of the United States. This includes overseeing and ensuring the integrity, efficiency, and quality of program operations using a risk-based approach, and managing organizational and operational change across multiple, geographically dispersed offices.
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EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements 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 effectively demonstrate evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position.

There are five ECQs:

  • 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.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

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 members 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)

If you are unable to apply online, please contact USCISHCTExecResources@uscis.dhs.gov

OPM must authorize any employment offers made to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career 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.

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.

Our evaluation will be based on the information you provide. Verification of performance, suitability and security information from reference checks will be taken into consideration when making offers of employment.

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 Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (MTQ) listed above. ECQs and TQs must be thoroughly addressed within your two (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 selected must have his/her executive qualifications certified by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB) before appointment to this position. The selected individual's application will be forwarded to the OPM for review and certification by the QRB, unless the selectee provides evidence of their noncompetitive status (i.e., a current SES, OPM 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/

Citizenship and Immigration Services

Protect your homeland and defend your culture. Join USCIS, America's frontline defense against illegal foreign infiltration and fraud.

Visit uscis.gov/careers for more information.

Agency contact information

Executive Resources and Services

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