Deputy Assistant Director, Homeland Security Investigations

Summary

This vacancy announcement may be used to fill ES-1811 Deputy Assistant Director positions within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, in the National Capital Region. Management retains the authority to make selection decisions based on agency needs, location priorities, and available talent.

Duties

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is the principal investigative component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). HSI is responsible for investigating, disrupting, and dismantling transnational criminal organizations and terrorist networks that threaten or seek to exploit U.S. customs and immigration laws. The Deputy Assistant Director (DAD) serves as the primary focal point for all functional programs and oversees a division within the HSI Headquarters structure. The division covers a wide range of domestic and international investigative areas, including national security, terrorism, fraud, financial crimes, alien smuggling, human rights protection, transnational organized crime, human trafficking, border security, investigative services, public safety, undercover operations, cybercrimes, global trade, technical support, forensics, and mission support. The DAD is responsible for developing, implementing, overseeing, and reviewing policies and procedures related to investigative activities within the division; guiding field assets and advising the division's Assistant Director and other HSI leadership on significant criminal trends and developments; and serving as an advisor to the Executive Associate Director and Deputy Executive Associate Director on criminal and civil proceedings related to violations under HSI program authority. The DAD serves as the subject matter expert for the division and represents HSI in high-level meetings with Federal, state, and local law enforcement partners and other stakeholders. Additionally, the DAD: Serves as the primary point of contact for all investigative activities under the program's purview while exercising overall responsibility and delegated authority for HSI oversight and administration. Coordinates investigative activities that transcend the geographic limitations of HSI field assets and mediates and resolves intra- and interagency conflicts related to investigative matters. Develops short- and long-term strategic and operational plans and initiatives for investigative activities and coordinates and integrates these operations with other HSI, ICE, and DHS programs, where feasible. Monitors the personnel, budgetary, and logistical needs of HSI field assets; advises leadership of actual or anticipated shortfalls; and ensures the effective and efficient use of personnel, facilities, and resources, including appropriated funds. Reviews HSI's organizational structure and functional responsibilities; authorizes and implements realignments, staffing adjustments, and delegated authority levels; and proposes cost-saving initiatives and detailed justifications for major expenditures to enhance efficiency and support overall fund allocation. Advises investigative field assets on the conduct of criminal and civil investigations to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations and provides guidance on methods and techniques to achieve program goals and objectives. Provides expert guidance in resolving disputes regarding program priorities and direction; advises on trends and activities in key investigative areas; provides testimony before congressional committees, when necessary; and supports HSI leadership in formulating and administering policies affecting the agency's mission. Implements, administers, and oversees the application of relevant policies, procedures, guidelines, and directives; develops, evaluates, and adjusts agency-wide investigative programs and strategies; and provides executive-level direction for planning and evaluating long- and short-term activities to ensure alignment with the evolving agency mission.

Qualifications and evaluation

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. 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 ECQs and TQs listed above. The ECQs and TQs must be thoroughly addressed within your 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(s) selected must have their executive qualifications certified by the OPM SES QRB before appointment. The selected individual's application will be forwarded to OPM for review and certification by the QRB, unless the selectee provides evidence of their noncompetitive status (i.e., a current SES, 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/.

Education

There is no education requirement for this position.

How to apply

To apply for this position, you must complete this application and submit any required documents specified in the Required Documents section and submit by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. To begin, click "Apply" to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application. Follow the prompts to select and upload your resume and/or other required documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the "Include Personal Information" section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. It is applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and uploaded is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Application packages will not be accepted via mail. Due to security processes, mail delivery takes approximately 2-3 weeks to process, at which time the vacancy announcement will be closed, and no further consideration will be given to additional application packages.

Required documents

A complete application includes the items described below. Please carefully review the following list to determine what documentation you need to submit. Some documents may not apply to all applicants. YOU ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION THAT SUPPORTS THE ELIGIBILITY AND QUALIFICATION CLAIMS MADE IN YOUR RESUME AND ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE. PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOU DO NOT PROVIDE ALL REQUIRED INFORMATION, AS SPECIFIED IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, YOU MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION OR MAY NOT RECEIVE SPECIAL CONSIDERATION FOR WHICH YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE. 1. RESUME: All applicants are required to submit a resume LIMITED TO 2 PAGES, i.e., 1 double-sided page or 2 single-sided pages, with 1-inch margins at the top and bottom, 1/2-inch margins on the left and right, and a font NO SMALLER THAN 11 POINTS, showing all relevant experience. Applicants seeking initial career appointment to the SES must include evidence of the ECQs and TQs. Please DO NOT use the USAJOBS Resume Builder. Your resume should also include the following information: Your full name, email address, mailing address, and day and evening telephone numbers. Educational information, including the name, city, and state of each college or university you attended, as well as the type and year of any degree received. If applicable, your current SES or Candidate Development Program certification status, or your reinstatement eligibility to the SES and the dates you held a career SES appointment. Whether you are currently, or have been within the last five years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Noncareer SES, or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch. Information about your paid and unpaid work experience related to this position, including job title, series and grade if it was a federal job, and starting and ending dates of employment by month and year. 2. VACANCY QUESTION/ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSES: Responses are automatically submitted through USAJOBS when you apply to this vacancy. 3. ADDITIONAL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Applicants are required to submit the following supporting documentation, if applicable. You are required to provide documentation that supports the eligibility and qualification claims made in your resume. Current or former SES members must provide your 1) SES appointment Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) and 2) an SF-50 showing current career SES status or career SES reinstatement eligibility. SESCDP graduates must provide verification of successful completion of an OPM-approved Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program (SESCDP) and OPM SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB) certification. Current federal civil service employees must provide a copy of your SF-50 or equivalent personnel action form reflecting that you are a current federal civil service employee. DO NOT submit any documents that are not specifically requested in the vacancy announcement, including: Cover letters DD-214s, Statements of Service, or other veterans' preference documents Separate ECQ or TQ narratives, including prior ECQ/QRB packages or previous SES application materials A resume longer than the 2-page limit College or university transcripts, diplomas, degree certificates, or other education records Certificates from leadership programs, executive development programs, or other training courses, unless specifically required Bar licenses, project management certifications, or similar credentials Copies of award certificates, commendations, letters of appreciation, or similar documents Recommendation letters, endorsement letters, or reference letters, unless requested Policy papers, briefing memos, articles, reports, publication lists, or other writing samples Multiple performance plans, work plans, or performance standards; only the most recent performance appraisal is accepted Current or prior position descriptions Organizational charts Briefing decks, decision memoranda, reports, dashboards, budget materials, or other work products A separate list of references Schedule A or other disability-related hiring documentation Security clearance verification, investigation records, or related security documents Sensitive personal documents, i.e., birth certificates, passports, Social Security cards, driver's licenses, marriage certificates, tax forms, or other personal identity documents Photographs or headshots Leadership philosophy statements, personal mission statements, or other supplemental statements

Additional information

This position is in the Senior Executive Service (SES). Applicants must meet the Executive Core Qualifications and the technical qualifications identified in this announcement. Selectees who are not currently serving in a career SES position must be certified by an Office of Personnel Management Qualifications Review Board (QRB) before appointment, unless they have previously received QRB certification. Additionally, OPM must authorize any employment offer made to a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, or noncareer SES employee in the executive branch. If you are currently, or have been within the past five years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or noncareer SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office. Rights and Obligations: There are three key documents that contain important information about your rights and obligations. Please read and retain these documents: Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights, for those who undergo an FBI fingerprint-based criminal history record check for personnel vetting, which includes Rap Back; FD-258 Privacy Act Statement - FBI (this is the same statement used when your fingerprints are submitted as part of your background investigation); and SEAD-3-Reporting-U.pdf (dni.gov), applicable to those who hold a sensitive position or have eligibility for access to classified information. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Statement: http://www.eeoc.gov/federal/index.cfm Employment Information Resources - Resource Center: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to Selective Service: Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx). Law Enforcement Retirement: This position carries secondary law enforcement coverage as provided by 5 U.S.C. § 8336(c) and § 8412(d) for eligible law enforcement employees, which does not carry mandatory retirement. However, some employees may be subject to mandatory separation depending on their individual status. 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 may be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines, and may be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligation Agreement. Federal Annuitants: The selection and reemployment of a former career SES appointee who retired from federal service is subject to applicable laws, regulations, and agency policy regarding annuitant reemployment, including any required approvals, salary and annuity offset requirements, pay limitations, and appointment limitations.