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Serves as Deputy Unit Chief for IHSC Special Operations, providing supervisory and program leadership for air, land, and sea medical operations. Oversees operations, operational support, and training; assures quality of care; manages staff; and supports domestic and international missions involving individuals in ICE custody.
This position is only open to current USPHS officers.
USPHS Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidates are not eligible for this position.
Learn more about this agency
This job is open to
The public
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.
Duties
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Supports ISOU Unit Chief by providing guidance and oversight to IHSC Special Operations' three sections (Operations Section, Operational Support Section, and Training Section) and within the mission, vision, and goals of the organization.
- Provides guidance to professional and technical staff in areas of program planning, development, and evaluation.
- The incumbent will develop and execute a plan and program for evaluating the quality of care provided by contract flight nurses. This will include overseeing the development and implementation of the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Program and reporting findings, metrics, and statistics concurrently to the ISOU UC and DAD HSS.
- Maintain deployable status 24/7 in support of the different IHSC Special Operations missions to include: Air, Land, and Sea Operations.
- Providing mentorship and career development strategies.
- Remain flexible and able to adapt to sudden changes in schedules and work requirements-This means cancellation of leave if it interferes with unanticipated missions.
- Must be able to travel up to 50% of the time needed.
- In conjunction with Unit Chief, compiles monthly reports and submits to IHSC HQ.
- Participate in IHSC supervisory, programmatic meetings.
- First-line supervisor and yearly performance evaluator for ISOU flight nurses and other assigned staff.
- Serves as a team member for analysis of established protocol practices, identifies areas of improvement and collaboratively drafts comprehensive recommendations for improved efficiency of essential mission components.
- Serves as an expert in program development and expansion.
- Prepare and deliver presentations to professional, academic and special interest groups with expert knowledge, serve as an authority on national and international health care trends and a variety of health care service delivery issues.
- Analyzes health care trends of related special population groups and assists in developing and implementing policies and guidelines to improve health services of such groups.
- Evaluates program goals and objectives, priorities, and activities in terms of current operating experience, program progress, and changing health needs and demands. In this regard, the incumbent develops and monitors an implementation plan in support of overall program goals.
- Represents the ERO/IHSC Special Operations to other Federal and non-Federal agencies, grantees, and advocacy organizations, to ensure a coordinated effort in improving health care to the nation's special populations.
- Works with representatives of State and local health agencies, as well as professional and community-based organizations when indicated to succeed in a common designated operation. Serve as a major focal point for the exchange of information.
- Mastery of managerial and administrative practices including interpersonal and communication skills needed to interact with multiple federal agencies, military, state and local governments.
- The incumbent will complete and comply with all mandatory training to competently support austere operations, and other training as assigned.
- In addition to managerial and supervisory roles, incumbent will maintain all necessary requirements for the position, of ISOU flight registered nurse or flight advanced practice provider.
- Conducts risk assessments to minimize adverse management or operational impacts.
- Establishes, enforces, and oversees comprehensive policies, investigative procedures, and corrective actions to detect, prevent, and address misconduct, ensuring accountability, ethical conduct, and compliance across the healthcare system.
Requirements
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
COMPETENCIES:
- Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills. Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations.
- Demonstrates strong critical thinking and problem solving, judgement and independent problem-solving skills.
- Demonstrates strong organizational and time management skills.
- Demonstrate strong diplomatics skills in adversity. Makes rapid decisions, based upon limited clinical information, frequently under time constraints and with sensitivity to cultural and international relations.
- Is open to change and new information; rapidly adapts to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles.
- Strong emotional intelligence.
- Leadership, strong reading comprehension, and active listening skills, and makes clear and convincing oral presentations. Listens effectively; clarifies information as needed.
- Behave in an honest, fair, and ethical manner. Shows consistency in words and actions. Exhibits high standards of ethics. Integrity/Honesty/Cultural Competency.
- Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.
- Knowledge of teaching, training, research, making presentations, lecturing, testing, and other instructional methods.
- Inspires and fosters team commitment, spirit, pride, and trust. Facilitates cooperation and motivates team members to accomplish group goals.
- Ability to interface with DHS components, within other uniformed services components, federal law enforcement agencies and NGOs.
- This is a hazardous duty position requiring extended flying time, extended sea operations, and frequent foreign country travel.
- Required to perform CPR or emergency care standing and kneeling positions at times in confined spaces.
- Must have the ability to assist sick, injured, or other during ingress and egress (e.g., may require lifting, dragging, wheeling, or carrying someone who weighs significantly more than oneself).
- Must be able to lift, carry or push 50 lbs. of medical equipment 100 yds. without assistance.
- Must be able to see, hear, and smell with aids if necessary. Must be able to don full face mask, breathing apparatus or emergency fire escape mask or hood without difficulty for prolong periods.
- Must easily alternate between kneeling, standing and walking in the confined space of small aircraft.
- Phone and computer use for extended periods of time.
- Sitting and/or standing for extended periods of time (8 Hours or more).
- Must be able to perform the duties in a stressful and often austere environment with inclement weather and challenging sea states and altitudes without physical limitations.
- Agency may require incumbent to work extended hours and remain at sea, confined cabin space, or aircraft during inclement weather and ground delays.
- Must be able to physically able to climb ladders and stairs without impediment.
- Must be able to tolerate sudden changes in environment, temperature, seasons, altitudes, geographies and weather.
- Must be able to pass the FAA Class III Flight Physical for Altitude Physiology Chamber orientation.
- The officer will be required to have basic swimming skills to allow for safe swimming at least one pool length and remain head out of water (Tread Water) for at least 5 minutes for mandatory aircrew safety training events.
- Maintains CPR/ACLS certification.
Education
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Clinical professional field (RN, PA-C, NP), greater than 6 years' experience in ER, ICU, or other acute care setting.
- Minimum 2 years of prior experience as ISOU program manager or 1 year as a ISOU SC.
- Minimum 2 years supervisory experience.
- Knowledge of ICE/IHSC/ISOU mandates, program policies and guidelines, operating procedures, and various departmental initiatives. (To interact with a wide variety of cultures, organizations, and special interest groups).
- Knowledge of organizations and responsibilities of all levels of government operations.
- Professional knowledge of a wide range of managerial and medical concepts, principles, and practices to perform specialized medical assignments for air, land, and sea missions.
- The incumbent must exercise a high degree of independence, initiative, judgment, and follow-through on a wide range of sensitive and complex administrative issues.
- Proficiency of Microsoft Office Programs: Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Attend and pass all required training dependent upon discipline.
- Maintains clinical professional skills via continuing education opportunities.
- Incumbent must maintain CPR/Basic Life Support and Advance Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).
- Must be able to attain and maintain DHS Secret Clearance.
- Must be able to attain and maintain a U.S. Government Official Passport.
- Must be able to attain and maintain a U.S. Government/ICE Official Credentials
- Must maintain minimum flight hours per Official Non-Aircrew member flight orders.
- Preferred knowledge, skills and abilities.
a. Immigration or Correctional health care experience.
b. Master's degree in a clinical professional field (RN, PA-C, NP),
c. Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) or Emergency Pediatric Care (EPC) certification.
d. Advance Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS), Trauma Nurse Core Course (TNCC), Pre Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS), Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) certification.
e. Prior Patient Transport, Flight Nursing or Aerospace Medicine/Nursing experience.
f. ANCC Certification as National Healthcare Disaster Professional (NHDB-BC).
g. Knowledge of public health preparedness, infection control and tuberculosis management.
h. Certification as Correctional Health Care Professional (CCHP).
i. Bilingual language is encouraged but not required.
j. Prior military experience preferred due to necessity to understand the vital relationship and interface occurring with USCG and DOW services in training and joint operations and planning.
Additional information
This position is located within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC); Office of the Deputy Assistant Director (DAD) of Health Systems Support (HSS), IHSC Special Operations Unit (ISOU). DAD of HSS serves as direct supervisor of the incumbent; Assistant Director for IHSC serves as the reviewing official. This is a supervisory position.
As the Special Operations Deputy Unit Chief, the incumbent oversees all IHSC Special Operations assets. The incumbent works with a multi-disciplinary team in establishing and achieving the goals of the program for the Division. The position includes management and administrative responsibilities to include providing leadership and guidance, policy development, program assessment of ISOU major sections, ISOU Operations, ISOU Operations Support and ISOU Training. The incumbent participates in domestic and global illegal alien care and removal missions through ISOU Medical Air Operations (MedAirOps), ISOU United States Coast Guard Alien Migrant Interdiction Operations (AMIO) and ISOU Ground Operations supporting ERO field offices. The ISOU Chief manages and oversees all ISOU land, air, and sea operations involving international travel and global missions in the effort to repatriate illegal aliens needing medical or mental health assistance and continuity of care during the removal process.
IHSC has a multi-sector, multidisciplinary workforce of more than 1600 employees, including U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) commissioned officers, federal civil servants, and contract staff. IHSC provides on-site direct patient care to ICE detainees at 20 detention facilities throughout the country and manages the provision of off-site medical care for detainees housed in approximately 112 additional non-IHSC staffed facilities. The ICE detainee population is approximately 34,000 detainees on a daily basis, with an average length of stay of approximately 30 days, and over 400,000 detainees annually. IHSC/ISOU provides medical support during ICE enforcement operations in the air, on the ground, and at sea.
SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:
Incumbent works under the direction and supervision of the ISOU Chief. The Deputy Assistant Director of Health Systems Support serves as the Reviewing Official.
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.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package. Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may not be considered for this position.A complete application includes:
U. S. Public Health Service Officers
- Cover Letter/Letter of Interest.
- Degrees. (Place under "Diploma/GED")
- Professional license. (If applicable)
- Additional professional certificates. (If applicable)
- Three professional references. (i.e., name, title and contact information)
- Official USPHS Promotion CV - e.g., relevant experience, education, training. (Place under "USPHS Promotion CV")
- You may provide a civilian resume in addition to the USPHS Promotion CV to capture all relevant work experience.
- A copy of your Certificate of Investigation (located in your eOPF).
- Three most recent Commissioned Officer Effectiveness Reports (COER). (Place under "Performance Appraisal")
- For current IHSC PHS officers, IHSC Recruiting requires applicants to provide a copy of your current Service Remaining Requirements Agreement.
- Indicate if you have an Assignment Pay (AP) Agreement and the date of the end of your AP Agreement. If you do not, please submit a memo attesting to no AP in the Assignment Pay (AP) Agreement section in the documents section of application.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must submit the required documentation outlined under the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section below.
The complete initial Application must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 11/12/2026.
PLEASE NOTE: If your materials are not received by the closing date, your application will be evaluated solely on the information available and you may not receive full consideration or may not be considered eligible. Also, if you do not provide a valid email address, you may not be notified of the outcome of your application.
To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log into your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.
Note: To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position.
Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email. If you need further assistance, contact the Human Resources Office representative listed on this announcement at least one day prior to the closing date for further instructions.
Agency contact information
500 12th Street SW
Washington, DC 20536
US
Next steps
Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best-qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the hiring manager for further consideration and interviews. We will notify you by email after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information." We expect to make a job offer within 60 days after the deadline for applications. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. View more information on applying for federal employment.
Overview
Please note that the salary is dependent on the officer's rank, years in service, and location of duty station.
- 0340 Program Management
- Credentialing
- Suitability/Fitness
Summary
Serves as Deputy Unit Chief for IHSC Special Operations, providing supervisory and program leadership for air, land, and sea medical operations. Oversees operations, operational support, and training; assures quality of care; manages staff; and supports domestic and international missions involving individuals in ICE custody.
This position is only open to current USPHS officers.
USPHS Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidates are not eligible for this position.
Learn more about this agency
This job is open to
The public
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.
Duties
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Supports ISOU Unit Chief by providing guidance and oversight to IHSC Special Operations' three sections (Operations Section, Operational Support Section, and Training Section) and within the mission, vision, and goals of the organization.
- Provides guidance to professional and technical staff in areas of program planning, development, and evaluation.
- The incumbent will develop and execute a plan and program for evaluating the quality of care provided by contract flight nurses. This will include overseeing the development and implementation of the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Program and reporting findings, metrics, and statistics concurrently to the ISOU UC and DAD HSS.
- Maintain deployable status 24/7 in support of the different IHSC Special Operations missions to include: Air, Land, and Sea Operations.
- Providing mentorship and career development strategies.
- Remain flexible and able to adapt to sudden changes in schedules and work requirements-This means cancellation of leave if it interferes with unanticipated missions.
- Must be able to travel up to 50% of the time needed.
- In conjunction with Unit Chief, compiles monthly reports and submits to IHSC HQ.
- Participate in IHSC supervisory, programmatic meetings.
- First-line supervisor and yearly performance evaluator for ISOU flight nurses and other assigned staff.
- Serves as a team member for analysis of established protocol practices, identifies areas of improvement and collaboratively drafts comprehensive recommendations for improved efficiency of essential mission components.
- Serves as an expert in program development and expansion.
- Prepare and deliver presentations to professional, academic and special interest groups with expert knowledge, serve as an authority on national and international health care trends and a variety of health care service delivery issues.
- Analyzes health care trends of related special population groups and assists in developing and implementing policies and guidelines to improve health services of such groups.
- Evaluates program goals and objectives, priorities, and activities in terms of current operating experience, program progress, and changing health needs and demands. In this regard, the incumbent develops and monitors an implementation plan in support of overall program goals.
- Represents the ERO/IHSC Special Operations to other Federal and non-Federal agencies, grantees, and advocacy organizations, to ensure a coordinated effort in improving health care to the nation's special populations.
- Works with representatives of State and local health agencies, as well as professional and community-based organizations when indicated to succeed in a common designated operation. Serve as a major focal point for the exchange of information.
- Mastery of managerial and administrative practices including interpersonal and communication skills needed to interact with multiple federal agencies, military, state and local governments.
- The incumbent will complete and comply with all mandatory training to competently support austere operations, and other training as assigned.
- In addition to managerial and supervisory roles, incumbent will maintain all necessary requirements for the position, of ISOU flight registered nurse or flight advanced practice provider.
- Conducts risk assessments to minimize adverse management or operational impacts.
- Establishes, enforces, and oversees comprehensive policies, investigative procedures, and corrective actions to detect, prevent, and address misconduct, ensuring accountability, ethical conduct, and compliance across the healthcare system.
Requirements
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
COMPETENCIES:
- Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills. Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations.
- Demonstrates strong critical thinking and problem solving, judgement and independent problem-solving skills.
- Demonstrates strong organizational and time management skills.
- Demonstrate strong diplomatics skills in adversity. Makes rapid decisions, based upon limited clinical information, frequently under time constraints and with sensitivity to cultural and international relations.
- Is open to change and new information; rapidly adapts to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles.
- Strong emotional intelligence.
- Leadership, strong reading comprehension, and active listening skills, and makes clear and convincing oral presentations. Listens effectively; clarifies information as needed.
- Behave in an honest, fair, and ethical manner. Shows consistency in words and actions. Exhibits high standards of ethics. Integrity/Honesty/Cultural Competency.
- Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.
- Knowledge of teaching, training, research, making presentations, lecturing, testing, and other instructional methods.
- Inspires and fosters team commitment, spirit, pride, and trust. Facilitates cooperation and motivates team members to accomplish group goals.
- Ability to interface with DHS components, within other uniformed services components, federal law enforcement agencies and NGOs.
- This is a hazardous duty position requiring extended flying time, extended sea operations, and frequent foreign country travel.
- Required to perform CPR or emergency care standing and kneeling positions at times in confined spaces.
- Must have the ability to assist sick, injured, or other during ingress and egress (e.g., may require lifting, dragging, wheeling, or carrying someone who weighs significantly more than oneself).
- Must be able to lift, carry or push 50 lbs. of medical equipment 100 yds. without assistance.
- Must be able to see, hear, and smell with aids if necessary. Must be able to don full face mask, breathing apparatus or emergency fire escape mask or hood without difficulty for prolong periods.
- Must easily alternate between kneeling, standing and walking in the confined space of small aircraft.
- Phone and computer use for extended periods of time.
- Sitting and/or standing for extended periods of time (8 Hours or more).
- Must be able to perform the duties in a stressful and often austere environment with inclement weather and challenging sea states and altitudes without physical limitations.
- Agency may require incumbent to work extended hours and remain at sea, confined cabin space, or aircraft during inclement weather and ground delays.
- Must be able to physically able to climb ladders and stairs without impediment.
- Must be able to tolerate sudden changes in environment, temperature, seasons, altitudes, geographies and weather.
- Must be able to pass the FAA Class III Flight Physical for Altitude Physiology Chamber orientation.
- The officer will be required to have basic swimming skills to allow for safe swimming at least one pool length and remain head out of water (Tread Water) for at least 5 minutes for mandatory aircrew safety training events.
- Maintains CPR/ACLS certification.
Education
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Clinical professional field (RN, PA-C, NP), greater than 6 years' experience in ER, ICU, or other acute care setting.
- Minimum 2 years of prior experience as ISOU program manager or 1 year as a ISOU SC.
- Minimum 2 years supervisory experience.
- Knowledge of ICE/IHSC/ISOU mandates, program policies and guidelines, operating procedures, and various departmental initiatives. (To interact with a wide variety of cultures, organizations, and special interest groups).
- Knowledge of organizations and responsibilities of all levels of government operations.
- Professional knowledge of a wide range of managerial and medical concepts, principles, and practices to perform specialized medical assignments for air, land, and sea missions.
- The incumbent must exercise a high degree of independence, initiative, judgment, and follow-through on a wide range of sensitive and complex administrative issues.
- Proficiency of Microsoft Office Programs: Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Attend and pass all required training dependent upon discipline.
- Maintains clinical professional skills via continuing education opportunities.
- Incumbent must maintain CPR/Basic Life Support and Advance Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).
- Must be able to attain and maintain DHS Secret Clearance.
- Must be able to attain and maintain a U.S. Government Official Passport.
- Must be able to attain and maintain a U.S. Government/ICE Official Credentials
- Must maintain minimum flight hours per Official Non-Aircrew member flight orders.
- Preferred knowledge, skills and abilities.
a. Immigration or Correctional health care experience.
b. Master's degree in a clinical professional field (RN, PA-C, NP),
c. Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) or Emergency Pediatric Care (EPC) certification.
d. Advance Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS), Trauma Nurse Core Course (TNCC), Pre Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS), Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) certification.
e. Prior Patient Transport, Flight Nursing or Aerospace Medicine/Nursing experience.
f. ANCC Certification as National Healthcare Disaster Professional (NHDB-BC).
g. Knowledge of public health preparedness, infection control and tuberculosis management.
h. Certification as Correctional Health Care Professional (CCHP).
i. Bilingual language is encouraged but not required.
j. Prior military experience preferred due to necessity to understand the vital relationship and interface occurring with USCG and DOW services in training and joint operations and planning.
Additional information
This position is located within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC); Office of the Deputy Assistant Director (DAD) of Health Systems Support (HSS), IHSC Special Operations Unit (ISOU). DAD of HSS serves as direct supervisor of the incumbent; Assistant Director for IHSC serves as the reviewing official. This is a supervisory position.
As the Special Operations Deputy Unit Chief, the incumbent oversees all IHSC Special Operations assets. The incumbent works with a multi-disciplinary team in establishing and achieving the goals of the program for the Division. The position includes management and administrative responsibilities to include providing leadership and guidance, policy development, program assessment of ISOU major sections, ISOU Operations, ISOU Operations Support and ISOU Training. The incumbent participates in domestic and global illegal alien care and removal missions through ISOU Medical Air Operations (MedAirOps), ISOU United States Coast Guard Alien Migrant Interdiction Operations (AMIO) and ISOU Ground Operations supporting ERO field offices. The ISOU Chief manages and oversees all ISOU land, air, and sea operations involving international travel and global missions in the effort to repatriate illegal aliens needing medical or mental health assistance and continuity of care during the removal process.
IHSC has a multi-sector, multidisciplinary workforce of more than 1600 employees, including U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) commissioned officers, federal civil servants, and contract staff. IHSC provides on-site direct patient care to ICE detainees at 20 detention facilities throughout the country and manages the provision of off-site medical care for detainees housed in approximately 112 additional non-IHSC staffed facilities. The ICE detainee population is approximately 34,000 detainees on a daily basis, with an average length of stay of approximately 30 days, and over 400,000 detainees annually. IHSC/ISOU provides medical support during ICE enforcement operations in the air, on the ground, and at sea.
SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:
Incumbent works under the direction and supervision of the ISOU Chief. The Deputy Assistant Director of Health Systems Support serves as the Reviewing Official.
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.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package. Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may not be considered for this position.A complete application includes:
U. S. Public Health Service Officers
- Cover Letter/Letter of Interest.
- Degrees. (Place under "Diploma/GED")
- Professional license. (If applicable)
- Additional professional certificates. (If applicable)
- Three professional references. (i.e., name, title and contact information)
- Official USPHS Promotion CV - e.g., relevant experience, education, training. (Place under "USPHS Promotion CV")
- You may provide a civilian resume in addition to the USPHS Promotion CV to capture all relevant work experience.
- A copy of your Certificate of Investigation (located in your eOPF).
- Three most recent Commissioned Officer Effectiveness Reports (COER). (Place under "Performance Appraisal")
- For current IHSC PHS officers, IHSC Recruiting requires applicants to provide a copy of your current Service Remaining Requirements Agreement.
- Indicate if you have an Assignment Pay (AP) Agreement and the date of the end of your AP Agreement. If you do not, please submit a memo attesting to no AP in the Assignment Pay (AP) Agreement section in the documents section of application.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must submit the required documentation outlined under the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section below.
The complete initial Application must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 11/12/2026.
PLEASE NOTE: If your materials are not received by the closing date, your application will be evaluated solely on the information available and you may not receive full consideration or may not be considered eligible. Also, if you do not provide a valid email address, you may not be notified of the outcome of your application.
To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log into your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.
Note: To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position.
Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email. If you need further assistance, contact the Human Resources Office representative listed on this announcement at least one day prior to the closing date for further instructions.
Agency contact information
500 12th Street SW
Washington, DC 20536
US
Next steps
Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best-qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the hiring manager for further consideration and interviews. We will notify you by email after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information." We expect to make a job offer within 60 days after the deadline for applications. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. View more information on applying for federal employment.
Overview
Please note that the salary is dependent on the officer's rank, years in service, and location of duty station.
- 0340 Program Management
- Credentialing
- Suitability/Fitness
Unit Chief Jobs by Experience Level
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Who's Hiring
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in unit chief jobs.
- Minimum five to seven years of progressively responsible leadership or supervisory experience
- Demonstrated ability to manage multidisciplinary teams and direct operational or program units
- Experience developing policies, procedures, or operational guidelines at the organizational level
- Strong analytical and decision-making skills applied to complex investigative or program issues
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as criminal justice, public administration, or management
- Proficiency with case management systems, reporting tools, or agency-specific database platforms
Tips for Your Unit Chief Job Search
Tailor your resume to oversight scope
Unit chief postings consistently ask for demonstrated oversight of teams, budgets, and operational outcomes. Quantify the size of units you managed and the scope of programs you directed so reviewers can gauge your leadership footprint without reading between the lines.
Highlight cross-functional coordination experience
Unit chiefs routinely coordinate across divisions, agencies, or departments. Call out specific examples where you aligned stakeholders with competing priorities, resolved inter-unit conflicts, or led initiatives that required sign-off from multiple organizational layers.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists unit chief openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match your background and apply directly to each listing without sorting through unrelated results.
Match your application to the agency mission
Federal and government-adjacent unit chief roles use mission-specific language. Mirror the posting's terminology around enforcement, compliance, or public service, because automated screening tools and human reviewers both flag candidates whose language aligns with the agency's core function.
Prepare for structured competency interviews
Many unit chief interviews, especially in federal settings, follow a structured behavioral format scored against leadership competencies. Prepare two or three strong examples per competency category, such as decisiveness, accountability, and team development, and practice delivering them in precise, outcome-focused narratives.
Negotiate total compensation, not just base pay
Unit chief offers often include locality adjustments, supervisory differentials, and benefit packages that vary significantly by agency and classification level. Before accepting, compare the full package against your current total compensation so you evaluate the offer accurately.
Unit Chief Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most unit chiefs?
Mount Sinai Health System, State of Idaho, and NYC Health + Hospitals are hiring the most unit chiefs right now, with openings concentrated in New York, Idaho, and Utah, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand is especially consistent in federal law enforcement, public health agencies, and large regulatory bodies.
How many unit chief jobs are remote?
About 100% of unit chief openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, though the share varies sharply by sector. Policy, oversight, and program management roles tend to offer more remote flexibility, while unit chief positions tied to field operations, lab environments, or in-person law enforcement functions are predominantly on-site.
How do you become a unit chief?
Most unit chiefs build a foundation of several years in a specialized field, then move into front-line supervisory roles that demonstrate they can manage people, workflows, and accountability. From there, taking on cross-unit projects, earning relevant certifications, and developing a record of measurable operational outcomes positions you for unit chief selection, which often involves a formal competitive process in government settings.
Can you get hired as a unit chief with limited leadership experience?
Direct unit chief appointments with little leadership background are uncommon because most postings require demonstrated supervisory tenure. The practical path is to target roles one step below, such as supervisory specialist or team lead, build a documented record of directing others and owning outcomes, then apply once you can speak concretely to the scale and complexity of the units you managed.
What does the unit chief interview process look like?
The unit chief interview process typically involves an initial screening call, followed by one or two rounds with a hiring panel that may include senior leaders, HR representatives, and peer-level managers. Federal roles often use a structured behavioral format with scored competency questions. Some processes include a written exercise or policy briefing to assess analytical and communication skills before a final decision.
Where can I find and apply to unit chief jobs?
You can find and apply to unit chief jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search for roles that match your background, review each listing for the specific requirements and responsibilities, and apply directly to the ones that fit your experience level and target sector.
See All 5 Unit Chief Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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