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Director Service Center Operations

Department of Homeland Security
Citizenship and Immigration Services
Service Center Operations Directorate

Summary

The Director, Service Center reports to the Deputy Associate Director, Service Center 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 evaluation in terms of overall administrative and operational accomplishment.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted today · Apply by 07/21/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 21, 2026
Location
2 vacancies in the following locations:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$151,661 - $228,000 per year
Pay scale & grade
ES 00
Promotion potential
00
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
Yes
Federal service type
This job is in the Senior Executive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Top Secret
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
Yes
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
ERS-46754-26-ES-SCOPS
Control number
873859800

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

All groups of qualified individuals within the Civil Service and individuals with SES reinstatement eligibility may apply. Additionally, current career Senior Executive Service (SES) members, OPM certified graduates of an SES Candidate Development Program (CDP), and individuals with SES reinstatement eligibility may be considered noncompetitively. This announcement is not open to the general public.

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.

Service Center Operations Directorate (SCOPS) adjudicates applications and petitions for persons seeking immigration benefits that do not require in-person processing or interviews.

Major Duties

The Director, Service Center exercises executive leadership in carrying out all delegated authorities and responsibilities for planning, directing, managing, and coordinating the activities of the Service Center to include processing and adjudicating applications and petitions for immigration and nationality benefits and privileges.

Administers key national goals and priorities of the immigration benefits program and is responsible for results to Headquarters' senior management. Collaborates with Headquarters in the formulation and application of broad policy and procedures that impact service center operations. Recommends changes in legislation, regulations, and interpretations of policy. Advises higher management of current and emerging immigration benefit and privilege issues.

Oversees the Center's responsibility for related functions to support its operations, including fraud detection, records operations, public information services, and operation of computer support systems and administrative support systems and activities.

Develops and implements policies, procedures, guidelines, and standards for the effective and efficient operation of all the Service Center functions.

Remains cognizant of and sensitive to the national, political, social, economic, and national security conditions that impact petitioners and applicants for immigration benefits and privileges.

Provides guidance and recommendations to senior agency officials and subordinates on advanced techniques and resolves critical problems in a timely and cost-effective manner.

Represents USCIS' interests, concerns, and relationships within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and among other agencies within and outside of DHS.

Contributes to the development of national policy-based on perspectives for all immigration and nationality benefits and privileges.

Performs equal employment opportunity (EEO) programs in Federal and agency guidelines. Carries out EEO policies and program activities, communicates support of the policies to subordinates and encourages active participation in EEO programs, activities, and training.

Performs other duties as assigned.

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.

1. Executive level expertise in leading a large complex organization. Leading an organization that includes multiple divisions and leadership teams is required. Demonstrated qualification and experience in driving business decisions across a complex organization to meet evolving mission needs and priorities.

2. Expertise in leading multiple business lines and resource streams that are critical to mission support in managing immigration (or related homeland security) programs or other complex benefit application or adjudication programs

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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