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Deputy Chief, IHSC Communications Unit (O-6 Billet) Supervisory

Department of Homeland Security
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC)

Summary

Deputy Unit Chief for the IHSC Communications Unit supports the Unit Chief in leading national-level communications, staff supervision, workflow management, strategic messaging, executive communications, digital content, campaigns, and crisis/issues support. Ensures accurate, timely, audience-focused products aligned with ICE and IHSC priorities.

This position is only open to current USPHS officers.
USPHS Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidates are not eligible for this position.

Overview

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Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—Situational telework may be available, based on the needs of the agency.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—Please note that upon selection, the candidate must live within 50 miles of an IHSC Field Office.
Salary
$1 - $150,000 per year

Please note that the salary is dependent on the officer's rank, years in service, and location of duty station.

Pay scale & grade
CC 6
Promotion potential
None
Learn more about pay scale and grade
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
25% or less - 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 Excepted Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Other
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
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
IHSC-ICU-DC-O6-S-2027
Control number
887341200

This job is open to

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The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

Applicants must be a current USPHS Commissioned Corps Officer. USPHS Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidates are not eligible for this position. Civilians are not eligible for this position.

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Duties

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DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Communications and Campaign Leadership

  • Assist the Unit Chief in managing integrated, multi-channel communications strategies that support ICE Health Service Corps priorities.
  • Lead the development of clear, compelling, and audience-focused messaging that translates complex IHSC initiatives, priorities, and program information for senior leaders, stakeholders, and diverse internal and external audiences.
  • Develop task management standards, standardize approaches, and expectations; ensure uniform implementation across the Communications Unit; and ensure high-quality communications and customer service.
  • Provide strategic communications support to ICE Health Service Corps leadership, including messaging, timing, targeting audience, and risk considerations.
  • Oversee enterprise-level communications campaign strategy from concept through execution and evaluation, aligning messaging, stakeholder engagement, and performance outcomes with organizational priorities.
  • Advise the Unit Chief and staff on communications strategy, messaging and risk considerations, including support for issues and crisis communications as needed.
Writing, Content Development, and Executive Communications
  • Assist the Unit Chief in overseeing the planning, writing, editing and production of communications content for ICE Health Service Corps, including executive communications, speeches, talking points, news releases, web content, social media and feature stories.
  • Provide supervisory review of high-visibility communications products to ensure accuracy, clarity, consistency, and alignment with ICE and IHSC priorities.
  • Guide staff in developing content for publications, presentations, web platforms, reports, internal campaigns, and leadership communications.
  • Ensure complex IHSC data, initiatives, policies, and program outcomes are translated into clear, accurate, and audience-appropriate communications for leadership, employees, stakeholders, and other audiences.
  • Review communications products to maintain consistency of voice, message, tone, and branding across communications products.
  • Identify quality issues, provide corrective feedback, and coach staff on improving writing, editing, and product development.
Digital Strategy and Institutional Communications
  • Assist the Unit Chief in shaping and overseeing IHSC digital communications strategy across internal and external platforms, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities, stakeholder needs, and mission objectives.
  • Supervise and coordinate staff responsible for web content, social media coordination, digital engagement, and related communications products.
  • Ensure IHSC web content is accurate, current, accessible, and aligned with institutional priorities.
  • Apply digital content best practices, including accessibility standards and audience engagement strategies.
  • Partner with communications and social media staff to ensure cohesive storytelling across platforms.
  • Provide support for issues management and crisis communications, including message development and coordination with leadership.
Project Management, Stakeholder Coordination, and Team Support
  • Provide guidance for complex tasks and coordination for IHSC-wide efforts to ensure all resources are used properly, there are no duplication of efforts, and all communications requirements are satisfied.
  • Assist the Unit Chief in managing all aspects of Unit operations, including supervising staff, assigning tasks and projects, and overseeing communications intake and workflow processes to ensure appropriate prioritization, clear expectations, balanced workloads, and timely delivery.
  • Coordinate across design, digital, events and data visualization teams to execute high-impact communications initiatives.
  • Ensure ICU is responsive, professional, and timely to all requests for communications services.
  • Train, develop, coach, and assist communications specialists as needed.
  • Develop workflows and standards to improve efficiency and consistency of communications output.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
  • You must successfully pass a background investigation.
  • You must successfully pass a drug screen.
  • Males born after 12/31/59 must certify registration with Selective Service.
  • Requirements by Closing Date: Unless otherwise noted, you must meet all requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
  • Service Remaining Requirement Agreement: Upon appointment to this position, officers will be required to serve an 18 to 24-month commitment to IHSC.
  • ASSIGNMENT PAY AGREEMENT: You must not have a current Assignment Pay Agreement. However, if you have a current Assignment Pay Agreement, it must be fulfilled within 90 days of your application submission.
  • Applicants must be a current USPHS Commissioned Corps Officer. USPHS Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidates are not eligible for this position. Civilians are not eligible for this position.
  • PHS officers must participate in IHSC TDY On-Call Schedule (ITOS.) ITOS is either an entire month or two 16-day periods a year where, depending on the needs of the agency, the officer is required to be available to serve.

Qualifications

PREFERRED SKILLS:

  • Knowledge of media relations and digital engagement practices, including story pitching, inquiry response, web content management, social media coordination, and performance analysis.
  • Ability to translate complex initiatives, data, and program outcomes into clear, audience-appropriate narratives and messaging.
  • Experience managing internal and external web content, including content planning, review, accessibility, accuracy, and governance.
  • Experience preparing executive-level communications, including speeches, talking points, briefings, announcements, and leadership messages.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
  • Sitting or standing for extended periods of time [6-8 Hours].
  • Duty hours outside core business hours, such as evenings or weekends.
  • Performing repeated bending motion.
  • Average manual dexterity for computer operation.

Education

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

  • Holds a qualifying degree for the officer's category and an advanced degree, such as an M.A. or M.S., from an accredited institution, plus at least five years of professional experience relevant to the officer's category. Of the total professional experience, officer must possess at least three years of leadership, management, or administration experience.
  • If the incumbent holds a clinical license, it is the responsibility of the incumbent to fulfill the obligation(s) of their licensing or certifying body to maintain currency. This position may be required to perform clinical activities with the scope of clinical license in times of critical needs within the agency.
  • Knowledge of strategic communications principles and ability to develop, execute, and evaluate integrated, multi-channel communications strategies and campaigns.
  • Skill in writing, editing, and producing clear, accurate, and compelling communications products for executive, internal, external, digital, media, and event audiences.
  • Maintain high degree of independence, initiative, and follow through on a wide range of sensitive, complex, and program issues.
  • Skill in advising leadership on communications strategy, messaging, timing, audience targeting, risk considerations, and issues or crisis communications.
  • Skill in managing communications projects, intake processes, workflows, timelines, priorities, approvals, and competing deadlines.
  • Ability to professionally interact effectively and collaborate with other IHSC, ERO, ICE, and DHS offices, as well as all levels of management.
  • Flexibility and ability to adapt to sudden changes in schedules and work-related requirements.
  • Skill in evaluating communications effectiveness using qualitative and quantitative information and recommending improvements.

Additional information

This U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC), Office of the Chief of Staff, IHSC Communications Unit (ICU). The incumbent reports to the ICU chief. This is a supervisory position.

The incumbent serves as the Deputy Unit Chief for ICU, a component of IHSC Headquarters. The unit manages national-level communications and partners with leadership and staff across Headquarters, detention facilities, and 24 field offices to develop and coordinate high-quality communications products. ICU receives numerous agencywide requests per month for communication product development, document creation, and editing. ICU personnel actively collaborate with all internal IHSC components, operate within a high-volume and fast-paced environment, and create products viewed nationally by stakeholders internal and external to IHSC.

The incumbent supports the unit chief in overseeing the entire unit, with responsibility for managing and supervising team leads and staff by assigning work, monitoring deadlines, reviewing products, mentoring staff, and resolving workload or workflow issues. The incumbent tracks communications projects to ensure staff deliver products within established deadlines. The incumbent works with IHSC leaders, offices, field locations, and communications teams to ensure messages are clear, accurate, and consistent across the organization. In coordination with the unit chief, the incumbent advises on communication content, strategies, and processes to help the unit work efficiently, stay accountable, and produce consistent high-quality communications products.

IHSC has a multi-sector, multidisciplinary workforce of more than 1,650 employees, including PHS commissioned officers, federal civil servants, and contract staff. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, IHSC managed a health care system that provided direct care to more than 171,000 detained aliens housed at 17 IHSC-staffed facilities nationwide. IHSC provided medical, dental, mental health, and public health services, resulting in nearly 1.4 million health care encounters in FY 2025. IHSC also managed off-site medical care for detained aliens housed in about 217 additional non-IHSC-staffed facilities.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:
The Deputy Unit Chief for the IHSC Communications Unit works under the supervision of the IHSC Communications Unit Chief. The Deputy Unit Chief serves as the rater for three team leaders: Technical Writing and Editing, Communications, and Strategic Communications.

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.

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. You may be selected for an interview at the hiring authority's discretion. You will be notified of selection or non-selection.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is calling on those who want to help protect American interests and secure our Nation. DHS components work collectively to prevent terrorism; secure borders and our transportation systems; protect the President and other dignitaries; enforce and administer immigration laws, safeguard cyberspace; and ensure resilience to disasters. We achieve these vital missions through a comprehensive workforce spanning hundreds of occupations. Make an impact; join DHS.

The mission of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is to protect America from the cross-border crime and illegal immigration that threaten national security and public safety. ICE focuses on smart immigration enforcement, preventing terrorism, and combating the illegal movement of people and goods. ICE is the principal investigative arm of DHS and the second largest investigative agency in the federal government. Created in 2003, through a merger of the investigative and interior enforcement elements of the U.S. Customs Service and the Immigration and Naturalization Service, ICE has more than 20,000 employees in more than 400 offices in the United States and around the world. ICE is a key component of the DHS layered approach to protecting our nation from a wide range of threats. For additional information about ICE and career opportunities, please visit www.ice.gov.

Agency contact information

IHSC Recruiting
Email
IHSCrecruiting@ice.dhs.gov
Address
ERO-DRO-IHSC Public Health Service
500 12th Street SW
Washington, DC 20536
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Immigration and Customs Enforcement, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://www.ice.gov/detain/ice-health-service-corps

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