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Deportation Officer

Department of Homeland Security
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO)

Summary

Are you ready to defend the homeland? Launch a dynamic and rewarding career as a Deportation Officer with Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO) at ICE! Join a dedicated team safeguarding U.S. borders and upholding immigration laws, playing a key role in defending our nation.

Organizational Location: Positions are located within ERO Field Office Areas of Consideration (FOD AOR) and are assigned based on the needs of the agency.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Location
Many vacancies in the following locations:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$76,745 - $124,730 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11
Promotion potential
12
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
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
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
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
ERO-13079430-DH-CDO
Control number
887477500

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

These positions will be filled through the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority for the occupation and is open to all U.S. citizens.

Duties

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As a Deportation Officer, you will work with more experienced officers to provide support and perform the following segments of work related to immigration investigation, custody, identification and location, arrest, prosecution and deportation::

  • Performing law enforcement duties to investigate, identify, locate, arrest, detain, prosecute, and remove foreign nationals who pose a threat to national security and public safety, as well as those that enter the United States illegally with the intent to undermine the integrity of the nation's immigration laws and border control efforts.
  • Conducting difficult, complex, and sensitive investigations that require development of new or substantially modified methods in order to resolve anticipated problems for the purpose of identifying violators of immigration laws through the use of investigative methods and techniques as well as determining citizenship, to include gathering facts and evidence pertaining to aliens who pose a threat to national security and/or public safety.
  • Conducting custody determinations regarding the detention of aliens in accordance with constitutional law, federal statutes, regulations and policies; coordinating and negotiating with domestic and foreign law enforcement agencies to manage the detention and removal of aliens in the U.S.; and sharing compiled actionable intelligence information with law enforcement intelligence communities.
  • Interviewing witnesses and interrogating suspects to gather critical information and evidence; obtaining and serving criminal and civil warrants of arrest; serving as agency lead on interagency, federal, state, and local law enforcement task forces to address threats to national security or public safety, as well as processing, detaining, and transporting aliens throughout the legal process.
  • Determining legal sufficiency to identify cases that meet the elements of a federal crime and the prosecutorial guidelines of the U.S. Attorney's Office (USAO); presenting cases for criminal proceedings; preparing and issuing subpoenas in support of criminal prosecutions; and initiating both criminal and civil prosecutions and deporting aliens to foreign countries as well as performing various aspects of custodial operations related to civil immigration enforcement.
This is an open continuous announcement closing 12/31/2026. The initial cut-off date for qualified applicants to be considered for selection is scheduled for 10/13/2026. Additional cut-off dates for selection consideration will be established based on agency needs.

NOTE: Applicants currently serving in the ICE Deportation Officer position cannot use this announcement for reassignment, promotion or change to lower grade purposes.

This journey-man level role may offer up to $30,000 in signing bonuses. Recruitment incentives available to eligible candidates require a service agreement. An additional one-time $5,000 incentive will be given to eligible candidates in the following hard to fill locations:

Karnes City, TX * Folkston, GA * Providence, RI * Binghamton, NY * Milwaukee, WI * Kansas City, MO * Louisville, KY * Amarillo, TX * San Angelo, TX * Casper, WY * Cheyenne, WY * Gillette, WY * Fargo, ND * Duluth, MN * Minot, ND * Rock Springs, WY * Centennial, CO * Albuquerque, NM * Philipsburg, PA * Tucson, AZ * Fort Snelling, MN * Sioux Falls, SD * Rapid City, SD * Cedar Rapids, IA * Grand Forks, ND * North Platte, NE * Lafayette, LA * Seattle, WA * Anchorage, AK * Eugene, OR * Richland, WA * San Francisco, CA * Boise, ID * Springfield, MA * Saipan, MP.

Geographic Preference: You have the opportunity to identify TWO geographic preferences in your application. Your preference locations are NOT guaranteed.The duty location extended at the final job offer will be based on the needs of the Agency and availability of positions and funding. Upon final job offer you may be offered a duty location that is not within your geographic preferences. You must be willing to accept any duty location that falls within the area of responsibility (AOR). For example, if offered FOD Atlanta, you may be offered a final duty location of Lumpkin, GA. Please view the duty locations within each FOD AOR ICE Field Offices. If you decline the duty location offered during the official job offer, you will be removed from further consideration. Selectees' applications will not be placed on hold to wait for a more desirable location to become available. You will have to reapply to a new announcement.

Location: Selectees are required to pay all expenses to initial duty location. Travel expenses for training will be at Agency expense.

Salary: The salary range indicated in this announcement reflects the lowest and highest potential salaries for this position. The actual salary range will be based on the applicable locality pay for the selected duty location. Special Salary pay tables may be found under Salaries & Wages.

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.
  • Probationary Period: This is a full-time permanent position (Career/Career-Conditional appointment). Upon appointment to this position, you may be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
  • Complete the initial online assessment and USAHire Assessment, if required
  • You must complete and PASS a pre-employment drug test as a condition of employment. Employees are subject to drug testing in compliance with the Agency's Drug-Free Workplace Program.
  • A mandatory pre-employment physical fitness test (PFT) will be used to screen applicants who are required to attend the ICE Basic Immigration Enforcement Training Program (BIETP) and Deportation Officer Transition Program (DOTP).
  • Requirement to obtain and maintain a Secret Clearance.
  • You will be required to carry a firearm while performing the duties of this position. Maintaining firearm proficiency is also mandatory.
  • This position requires the selectee to carry a firearm. Any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition (Title 18, U.S.C. Section 922 (g) (9)).
  • Applicants who have completed HSI SA training, BP Integrated, or CBP Officer Training will be exempted from attending BIETP but will be required to attend the DOTP.
  • Relevant Experience (see Qualifications Section)
  • Travel: You will be required to travel.
  • You must complete a pre-employment medical examination and be found to meet the medical standards for the position.
  • If referred for a polygraph, you will be required to travel at your expense to complete the polygraph exam and obtain a favorable result in order to continue in the hiring process.
  • You must speak, read, and understand English.
  • You are required to obtain and maintain an official passport
  • Additional requirements located under "ADDITONAL INFORMATION"

Qualifications

View Common Definitions of terms found in this announcement. These are non-bargaining unit positions.

Please limit your resume to 2 pages. If more than 2 pages are submitted, only the first 2 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.
Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

You qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you possess one of the following:

Experience: One (1) year of specialized experience at the GS-09 grade level or equivalent performing duties such as:

  • Investigate: Supporting criminal investigations related to alleged or suspected violations of immigration laws, regulations, and policies; and performing investigative functions from planning and fact finding to reporting the results of an investigation.
  • Identify and Locate: Identifying and locating aliens who may pose a threat to national security and/or public safety utilizing various methods and techniques which may include the use of actionable intelligence, use of surveillance systems and agency database systems or participation in the interview of witnesses or interrogation of suspects; and initiating removal proceedings.
  • Arrest: Obtaining and serving criminal and civil warrants of arrest; participating in interagency law enforcement taskforce operations by providing support to senior officers; and initiating criminal and civil proceedings against immigration violators.
  • Custody: Conducting legal research to support custody decisions; recommending custody determinations regarding detention of aliens; under the guidance of senior officers,performing initial review of legal proceedings to deport from the U.S. or release from custody; performing armed and/or unarmed escort of detainees from one facility to another or to country of origin ensuring sufficient documentation for transport; supervising and transporting detainees (including medical, court and prison pick-ups); and ensuring the safe, secure, and humane treatment of detainees while in custody.
  • Prosecute: Performing initial review of case documentation to determine legal sufficiency for prosecutorial guidelines and reporting findings to senior officers; preparing criminal complaints, developing facts, gathering evidence, and assisting in the preparation of investigative reports in support of possible prosecution and/or civil action; and providing sworn testimony in Federal, state and local courts.
  • Deportation: Performing initial review of case documentation for legal sufficiency determining if agency prosecutorial guidelines are met and reporting findings to senior officers; obtaining case history information for use in determining appropriate custody conditions in support of the adjudication and response to applications for immigration benefits; assisting in the planning, coordination, and execution of the deportation of alien detainees; and maintaining control of assigned aliens.
  • Partnering: Performing detention responsibilities assuring appropriate detainee care (physical, mental, and civil rights); reporting findings of conditions observed in contracted state, local and private detention facilities to journeyman level officers and making recommendations for corrective action; and maintaining relationships with state and local law enforcement entities to share information and respond to inquiries.
OR

Education: A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; or three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or LL.M if related. (This education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university and demonstrate the skills necessary to do the work of the position. Check with your school or university to determine how many credit hours comprise three years of graduate education. If that information is not available, use 54 semester or 81 quarters hours.)

OR

Combining Education and Experience: A combination of successfully completion of graduate level education and experience. This will be calculated using your resume and unofficial transcripts or a list of courses/course hours submitted with your application.

Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Qualification claims will be subject to verification.

National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience):
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.

Physical Abilities Assessment (PAA): All applicants must pass the PAA prior to graduation from FLETC. The PAA consists of four parts: 1-Dynamic warn-up (non-scored); 2 - a 220-yard sprint in 47 seconds or less; 3 - an obstacle course in 1 minute and 30 seconds (1:30) or less; and 4 - a 1.5 mile run in 14 minutes (14:00) or less.

Medical Requirements: This position has medical requirements. Click here for information about the medical process. You must complete a pre-employment medical examination and be found to meet the medical standards for this position.

Training: Candidates selected will be required to attend and successfully complete the ERO Basic Immigration Law Enforcement Training Program located at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC). DO training is approximately 71 days in duration, not including weekends and holidays. Candidates who have previously completed CBP Officer Basic Training Program, Border Patrol Agent Basic Training Program, HSI Special Agent Training Program, BIETP, DOTP, ICE-D, or equivalent, may be eligible to attend the Deportation Officer Transition Program (DOTP).

NOTE: Employees who do not successfully complete basic immigration law enforcement training and are terminated from training are ineligible to return to the ERO Academy for training, unless selected as a law enforcement officer under a different vacancy announcement. In accordance to ERO Training policy 11158, no one will be permitted to attend more than two ERO Academy training sessions.

Additional information

Age Restrictions: Applicants must meet the minimum entry age of 21. Additionally, the date immediately preceding an individual's 40th birthday is the last day to be referred for selection (PL 93-950 and 100-238). However, the age restriction may not apply to individuals who are qualified preference-eligible veterans or who are currently or have previously served in a federal civilian (not military) law enforcement position covered by 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or 5 U.S.C.§ 8412(d).

Polygraph: ICE has designated this position for polygraph testing, which you may be required to submit to as a pre-employment requirement. If referred for polygraph testing, you will be required to travel to a testing location at your own expense. If you previously had an unsuccessful ICE administered polygraph examination within the last 2-Years, ICE will use those results, which will eliminate you from continuing in the hiring process.

Motor Vehicle Operation: You must possess a valid state driver's license and be able to drive an automobile or light truck. You may also need to obtain and maintain a state commercial driver's license to operate an over-the-road bus capable of transporting 30 or more persons.

Mobility Agreement: This position is covered by the Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) 1801 Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) Mobility Program. As a condition of employment, (Insert Position name) must sign a Mobility Agreement acknowledging their willingness to accept geographic reassignment to any ICE/ERO duty location as determined by operational needs.

Geographic preferences will be considered when practicable; however, management retains discretion to assign employees based on mission requirements. Employees will generally receive at least 90 days advance notice of relocation, unless essential mission requirements or approved exceptions necessitate a shorter notice period.

Relocation expenses for directed reassignments will be reimbursed in accordance with Federal Travel Regulations and agency policy.

Failure to sign or comply with the Mobility Agreement may result in administrative action, up to and including separation from federal service.

E-Verify: DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

Suitability: If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.

Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet these standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully obtain and maintain a background investigation for Secret as a condition of placement into this position. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.

A student loan repayment incentive may be available, in which case a service agreement will be required.

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 based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position.

You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Flexibility
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Reasoning
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork


In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements.

Promotion Potential: When promotion potential is shown, the agency is not making a commitment and is not obligated to provide future promotions to you if you are selected. Future promotions will be dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the continuing need for an employee assigned to the higher level, and administrative approval.

Direct Hire Authority: These positions will be filled through the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority. The "Rule of Three", Category Rating and Veterans Preference will not apply to this vacancy. For more information on Direct Hire Authority, please see: OPM Direct Hire Fact Sheet.

Veterans: Although the Direct Hire Authority permits hiring without regard to Veterans Preference, applicants who are eligible for Veterans Preference are still encouraged to include that information in their application and submit supporting documentation (i.e. DD-214, or other substantiating documents). Staffing Policy View information on veterans' preference.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not ICTAP eligible. View information about ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered eligible under ICTAP, you must be placed in the well qualified category for this position. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this job announcement.

Pursuant to Executive Order 12564, and the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan, ICE is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions (testing designated positions) are subject to random drug testing. Moreover, other drug testing of employees (e.g., reasonable suspicion drug test) may be conducted in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. All applicants tentatively selected for employment at ICE are subject to pre-employment drug testing and a final offer of employment is contingent upon a negative drug test result.

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 dynamic 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

HROC ERO Staffing Unit
Email
ice-erojoainquiries@ice.dhs.gov
Address
ERO DIRECTOR
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.

http://www.ice.gov

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