Deputy Chief, Office of Policy and Strategy

Clarification from the agency

All groups of qualified individuals within the Civil Service and individuals with SES reinstatement eligibility may apply. Additionally, current career Senior Executive Service (SES) members, OPM certified graduates of an SES Candidate Development Program (CDP), and individuals with SES reinstatement eligibility may be considered noncompetitively. This announcement is not open to the general public.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). We lawfully administer immigration and naturalization adjudication functions and establish immigration services policies and priorities.

The Office of Policy & Strategy (OP&S) develops national immigration policy recommendations; coordinates regulations development; supports the creation and approval of official information collections by USCIS; performs research, evaluation, and analysis on immigration issues; and is a principal liaison on immigration policy and strategic planning issues with DHS headquarters and sister agencies that reflect the goals of the USCIS Director.

Major Duties
The Deputy Chief of OP&S provides advice and counsel to the Director and Deputy Director on major policies and programs. He/She utilizes in-depth knowledge and awareness of the USCIS vision, strategy, mission and policy, and program objectives in order to review and interpret policy and program issues. The Deputy Chief will exercise executive direction and leadership in advising the Director and carrying out the following duties and responsibilities:

• Manages the immigration policy drafting and development process to prepare policies for implementation by relevant offices.
• Obtains information and data from subordinate supervisors, as needed, and evaluates program recommendations submitted in terms of their impact on broad program goals and strategic initiatives, ensuring that they align with agency direction and other USCIS policies.
• Consults with the Director and Deputy Director of USCIS and other high-level officials on a wide range of policy issues.
• Actively participates in the budget formulation and execution process for furtherance of USCIS program goals and objectives.
• Assisting in the development of the Unified Agenda and direct the preparation and review of information and reports required for DHS, Congress, and other authorized agencies.
• Acts as an ambassador on behalf of USCIS with DHS and other governmental bodies on issues arising from the policy development process, including substantive policy and operational positions and implementation timelines.

As a member of the agency's executive team, you will implement the President's Management Agenda within your specific area of responsibility. For an overview of the various responsibilities USCIS carries out within the Government, visit our website at http://www.uscis.gov.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National to apply for this position
• You may be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
• Subject to a 1-year supervisory probationary period (unless already completed).
• Excess pages will not be considered, if documents exceed page limits.
• File a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report OGE-278e within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.
• May be subject to pre-employment and random drug tests
• If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so
• Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency

Qualifications

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. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.For a sample resume, see Appendix 2 of OPM's Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualifications and the Qualifications Review Board.

Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.

There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs). The ECQs and TQs should be evident in the 2-page resume.

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications.

TQ 1: Demonstrates executive level experience in citizenship and immigration law or policy, including but not limited to the ability to analyze legislative, Administration, and stakeholder suggested policy proposals. Demonstrates the ability to build and maintain networks while communicating the results of that analysis to a wide range of recipients both inside and outside the federal government, ensuring management goals are met.

TQ 2: Demonstrates executive level knowledge in the adjudication of citizenship and adjustment of status applications and petitions.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not effectively demonstrate evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position.

There are five ECQs:

• ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding - This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.
• ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.
• ECQ 3: Merit and Competence - This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.
• ECQ 4: Leading People - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable.
• ECQ 5: Achieving Results - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Our evaluation will be based on the information you provide. Verification of performance, suitability and security information from reference checks will be taken into consideration when making offers of employment.

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 Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (MTQ) listed above. ECQs and TQs must be thoroughly addressed within your two (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 selected must have his/her executive qualifications certified by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB) before appointment to this position. The selected individual's application will be forwarded to the OPM for review and certification by the QRB, unless the selectee provides evidence of their noncompetitive status (i.e., a current SES, OPM 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/

A complete application includes items described below. Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you will not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible).

Please carefully review the following list to determine what documentation you need to submit. Some documents may not apply to all applicants.

1. REQUIRED: RESUME - All applicants are required to submit a resume limited to two (2) pages (i.e., 1 page that is double-sided or 2 pages that are one-sided each, no less than 11pt font and 0.8 margins) showing all relevant experience. Applicants seeking initial career appointment to the Senior Executive Service (SES) must include evidence of the ECQs and TQs. PLEASE DO NOT USE USAJOBS RESUME BUILDER.

2. REQUIRED VACANCY QUESTION/ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSES: Responses are automatically submitted through USA Jobs when you apply to this vacancy.

3. ADDITIONAL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Applicants are required to submit the following supporting documentation if applicable:

• CURRENT OR FORMER SES MEMBERS: Must provide your SES appointment SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), and an SF-50 showing current career SES status or career SES reinstatement eligibility.
• SES CANDIDATE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (SESCDP) GRADUATES: Verification of successful completion of an OPM-approved SESCDP and OPM SES QRB certification.
• CURRENT FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEE: Must provide a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting you are a current Federal Civil Service employee.

4. REQUIRED: If you are not a current U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services employee, a copy of your most recent annual performance appraisal (i.e., within the last 18 months form the closing date of this vacancy announcement, from either the Federal or private sector) is REQUIRED. Please remove your social security number and date of birth from any documentation you provide. If you are unable to provide your most recent annual performance appraisal, please provide a written justification explaining why you could not provide the requested documentation. Applicants who fail to provide the most recent annual performance appraisal or written justification explaining why you did not provide the requested documentation will be disqualified for further consideration because your application will be incomplete.

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