Deputy Chief, Health Operations Unit (O-6 Billet) Supervisory

Summary

The incumbents' primary duty will be to provide administrative support to HOU as assigned. The incumbent will work with the IHSC Chief of HOU to complete special projects to ensure compliance and improve health operations within IHSC and serve as representative/alternate in various workgroups/committees to advance the mission. This position is only open to current USPHS officers. USPHS Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidates are not eligible for this position.

Duties

Supervisory Responsibilities Supervises the Health Operations Support Team Health Services Administrator (HOST HSA). May assist with development of training and mentoring of the Regional Health Services Administrator (RHSA), Health Services Administrator (HSA), Assistant Health Services Administrator (AHSA), Facility Healthcare Program Manager (FHPM). Facility training Officer (FTO), and Facility Health and Safety Officer (FHSO). Assists with planning, directing, organizing, coordinating, and controlling administrative operations through supporting managers who possess technical expertise in their respective areas. Collaborate with the RHSA and Chief of Health Operations regarding complex personnel and operational issues, providing potential resolutions. Employ high level judgment, analysis and decision-making skills when delegating tasks and responsibilities to the multidisciplinary workforce. Provides program direction to support managers in various administrative areas for necessary mission accomplishment and accreditation standards. Participates in Emergency Response Group (ERG) and ensures compliance with Incident Responders Group (IRG) and Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP). Participates in performance improvement activities and functions. Government Technical Monitor Serves as Government Technical Monitor for HOU medical records technician (MRT). Serves as HOU HQ liaison/representative for invoice verification for language services contract(s). Reviews all invoices and vouchers for accuracy in a timely manner in accordance with the Prompt Payment Act. Identifies and addresses discrepancies prior to validation. Collaborate with the headquarters contracting officer representative (COR) to ensure compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) policy for purchasing and procurement, and appropriate implementations of all contracts to include any technical or contractual difficulties encountered during vendor performance. Accreditation/Policy Review and update policies and procedures established by IHSC to include staffing, training, records management, clinical services, nursing services, behavioral health services, pharmacy services, dental services, medical records, and administration; quality assurance programs, safety and security standards, public health, environmental control standards, as indicated by IHSC Office of Policy guidelines. Contributes to policies, and preparing recommendations for executive leadership, for the healthcare delivery system by coordinating with IHSC Office of Policy (IOP). Monitor compliance of all required elements within DHS/ICE/IHSC policies, regulations, and the rules of all associated accrediting bodies (ACA, NCCHC, PBNDS) by monitoring operations and initiating changes where required. Supporting the field in the development of LOPs by identifying which LOPs are needed based on policies and accreditation standards and ensuring consistency across IHSC facilities. Monitoring and Reporting Requirements Monitors and directs all required programs, documentation, reports, and mission related data in accordance with established timelines, policy, and accreditation standards. Monitors incidents, sentinel events and potential litigation situations, providing documentation of corrective actions accordingly, to include reporting to IHSC leadership. Ensure all required meetings are held and documented in compliance with established policies and accreditation standards. Evaluates impact of health care delivery through monitoring of current organizational structures, management systems, and administrative functions. Taskings Serves as POC and liaison for Taskings. Provide education and training to facility personnel on IHSC tasking process. Reviews and evaluate final response/supporting documentation for accuracy and completeness. Manages Tasking timelines and expectations. Resource Management Effectively communicates resource, equipment, space, personnel, and funding needs to the proper agency authorities with all required supporting documentation. Maintains continuity of contracted services to ensure daily medical facility operations Serves as liaison with RMU assets to address contracting issues related to services and staffing contracts. Administrative Travel required up to 30% as directed by the Unit Chief of Health Operations. Serves as SME, providing consultation and support to IHSC HQ with time-sensitive data and information requests Providing consultative supervisory assistance/guidance supporting personnel related matters Serving as the liaison between ICE and custody to address concerns impacting the facility from a national level. Strategically addresses changes in operational tempo and requirements, communicating with and directing all stakeholders towards compliance. Assist with formulation and update of HOU Business Plan, Strategic Action Plan, Accomplishments, Info Paper, Sit Reps, Executive Dashboard review

Qualifications and evaluation

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.

Education

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Masters's degree in healthcare administration or related health field of study preferred. Must have five years leadership experience, five years management of programs and services experience, and five years management of personnel experience as a uniformed service officer. 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 status. This position may be required to perform clinical activities with the scope of clinical license in times of critical needs within the agency. Must be able to attain and maintain DHS Secret Clearance, Obtains level II Contracting Officer Representative (COR) Certification within 12 months of hire, CPR/BLS certification. Correctional Health experience required; detention experience preferred. Flexibility and ability to adapt to sudden changes in schedules and work-related requirements Knowledge of issues confronting the health care delivery system, including specific problems and concerns of special population groups. Strong decision-making, analytical, and problem-solving skills. Ability to respond 24/7 to staff for consultation. High degree of independence, initiative, and follow-through on a wide range of sensitive, complex, and programming issues.

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 11/05/2026. 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.

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.

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 Deputy Assistant Director of Health Systems Support (DAD-HSS), Health Operations Unit (HOU). The HOU Deputy Chief will report directly to the Chief of Health Operations. This is a supervisory program management officer position. The incumbents' primary duty will be to provide administrative support to HOU as assigned. The incumbent will work with the IHSC Chief of HOU to complete special projects to ensure compliance and improve health operations within IHSC and serve as representative/alternate in various workgroups/committees to advance the mission. Incumbent may also provide program support with IHSC Special Missions to include serving as Officer in Charge (OIC) for newly established or temporary medical operations. IHSC provides direct care daily to approximately 15,300 detainees housed at 17 designated facilities throughout the nation. The health care provided includes medical, dental, and mental health care, and public health services. IHSC provides medical case management and oversight for an additional 22,600 detainees housed at approximately 112 non-IHSC staffed detention facilities daily across the country. In addition, IHSC oversees financial authorization and payment for off-site specialty and emergency care services for detainees in ICE custody. The ICE detainee population is approximately 34,000 detainees daily, with an average length of stay of approximately 30 days, surpassing 400,000 detainees annually. IHSC provides medical support during ICE enforcement operations in the air, on the ground and at sea. SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: Incumbent reports to the IHSC Chief of HOU. Second line supervisor and rating official is IHSC Deputy Assistant Director of Health Systems Support (DAD-HSS). Assignments are usually of a long-term, recurring or broadly defined nature. Officer plans, and organizes own work, determines sequence of assignments, selects, and develops methods and seeks assistance from experts only rarely. Work is reviewed for attainment of objectives. The officer keeps the supervisor informed of the status on projects and consults with him/her on any significant problems encountered.