Employee Experience Liaison (O-6 Billet) Non-Supervisory - External

Department of Homeland Security

Immigration and Customs Enforcement

ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC)

Summary

Employee Experience Liaison advises IHSC leadership on employee relations, disciplinary actions, grievances, and personnel issues for federal and USPHS staff. Handles complex cases, ensures compliance with regulations, prepares reports, and provides guidance and training. Requires strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.

This position is only open to current USPHS officers.
USPHS Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidates are not eligible for this position.

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

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:

Provides consultation and assistance on complex and often controversial conduct-related issues within IHSC.
Advises senior management and supervisors on the procedural and legal requirements for correcting complex conduct problems and administering disciplinary and adverse actions.
Analyzes each situation and conducts extensive research of the case facts, laws, regulations, precedent decisions, and IHSC policies.
Uses judgment, initiative, and resourcefulness in situations where there are no clear-cut guidelines or precedent decisions and develops workable solutions.
Applies an in-depth knowledge of human resources concepts and a thorough understanding of the missions and structures of assigned IHSC organizations to resolve complex, controversial issues. Reviews, troubleshoots, and resolves difficult employee relations issues, many of which can be sensitive in nature, potentially escalating to classified issues that are unique and not covered by available precedents.
Provides advice and assists IHSC CoA in the development of positions and responses to complaints matters in cases before arbitrators on issues involving complex personnel management issues and related matters.
As assigned, represents the IHSC Chief of Administration as a technical advisor on these cases.
Prepares or assists management with the preparation of written employee notifications, ensuring such documents are within regulatory compliance and are legally sufficient. Inform employees regarding their entitlements to use grievance/complaint/appeal procedures.
Assists legal staff in preparing and presenting management's case and represents management as a technical advisor during third-party proceedings such as arbitrations, mediations, and hearings (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Merit Systems Protection Board).
Works directly with Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) counselors and/or the agency's legal staff to resolve difficult, complex problems, issues, and conflicts.
Identifies and proposes solutions to a broad range of IHSC problems and issues that are characterized by their breadth, importance, and severity and for which previous studies and established techniques are frequently inadequate.
Conduct studies to develop management interests involve several interrelated issues, and/or are potentially of considerable cost to IHSC if unresolved.
Interprets laws, executive orders, regulations, collective bargaining agreements, and policies both as general guides and in response to managers. Reviews agreements for compliance with Federal laws and government-wide rules and regulations.
Investigations and attempts to resolve complex issues or problems occurring throughout IHSC, including those brought to management's attention by the civilian employees.
Assists HHS in representing IHSC management before HHS hearing examiners or litigators on complex cases.
Assists in the preparation, presentation, and in carrying cases through to conclusion; to information and discovery requests, interviewing and preparing witnesses; and preparing briefs, exceptions, and appeals. Assistance could involve such activities as management representative or technical assistant in litigation.
Provides advice and assistance in reviewing incoming disciplinary and adverse action cases of a complex nature and determines if the evidence provided is sufficient to warrant the action desired by management, and may write proposals, notices, and decisions consistent with the consolidated evidence.
Assists in the development and distribution of written guidance and training on employee relations matters related to IHSC and assists in the development, coordination, and facilitation of training sessions.
Works with Divisions and Branches within IHSC, Office of the Surgeon General, Office of Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH), and other uniformed services to identify and adopt best practices to improve efficiency and effectiveness, and for the purpose of developing systems to provide the highest quality service to the agencies and to the commissioned officer community.
Performs other duties as assigned by the IHSC Chief of Administration or IHSC leadership.

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

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Must be able to perform duties in a fast-paced environment without physical limitations.
Sitting and/or standing for extended periods of time [6-8 Hours].
Performing repeated bending motion.
Average manual dexterity for computer operation.
Phone use for extended periods of time

Education

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
KNOWLEDGE:

Thorough understanding of employee relations principles, practices, and procedures applicable to both federal civil service employees and USPHS Commissioned Corps officers in a healthcare setting.
Comprehensive knowledge of federal regulations, labor laws, and ICE policies governing disciplinary actions, adverse actions, grievances, and personnel administration for diverse employee groups.
Familiarity with USPHS Commissioned Corps personnel policies, standards of conduct, and disciplinary procedures.
Working knowledge of data analysis techniques and workforce planning as they relate to employee relations and personnel management within a complex, multidisciplinary healthcare organization.
Proficiency in data management tools and HRIS systems (e.g., Excel, Access, SharePoint) for tracking, analyzing, and reporting employee relations cases and outcomes.

SKILLS:

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex personnel data, identify trends in disciplinary and adverse actions, and develop effective, evidence based recommendations. Abilities:
Advanced proficiency in preparing clear, accurate, and well-documented reports, case summaries, correspondence, and presentations related to employee relations matters for both federal employees and USPHS officers.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills for conducting investigations, facilitating meetings, and communicating sensitive information to staff, management, and stakeholders.
High attention to detail and accuracy in managing confidential records, documentation, and ensuring data integrity throughout the disciplinary and grievance processes.
Effective organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple cases and projects simultaneously, prioritize assignments, and meet strict deadlines in a fast-paced, mission driven environment.

ABILITIES:

Ability to handle sensitive and complex personnel issues with discretion, professionalism, and sound judgment, respecting the unique requirements of both federal civil service and USPHS personnel systems.
Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, including healthcare professionals, union representatives, legal counsel, and management, to resolve employee relations matters.
Ability to remain impartial, objective, and fair in conducting investigations and making recommendations, while considering the distinct policies and procedures applicable to each employee group.
Ability to adapt to evolving regulations, policies, and organizational needs, demonstrating flexibility and initiative in problem-solving and process improvement.
Ability to provide guidance and training to supervisors and staff on employee relations policies, procedures, and best practices specific to ICE Health Service Corps, federal civil service, and USPHS Commissioned Corps officers.

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 of Administration, Chief of Administration Unit (CoA). CoA is responsible for all functions regarding personnel, administration, and operations for IHSC. This unit serves as the principal staff arm and advisor to IHSC leadership on all human resource matters related to the federal civilian employees and USPHS officers, spanning the spectrum from recruitment, hiring, personnel management to readiness/deployment and retirement.

The Employee Experience Liaison position resides within the CoA Unit and is responsible for coordinating the Employee Relations and Officer Advocacy program for IHSC. This position serves as the advisor and provide assistance and support to the CoA and IHSC leadership, unit chiefs and supervisors on disciplinary issues and adverse action, performance-based actions, processing grievances, and responding to third-party inquiries.

IHSC provides direct care daily to approximately 15,300 detainees housed at 20 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 the 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:
The incumbent works under the supervision of the Chief of Administration. The incumbent plans and organizes his/her own work, determines the sequence of assignments, selects, and develops methods, and seeks assistance from experts only rarely. Assignments are usually long term, recurring, or broadly defined. Work is reviewed for feasibility, compatibility with other work, and effectiveness in meeting requirements or expected results.

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.

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 06/20/2026.

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

IHSC Recruiting

Email: IHSCrecruiting@ice.dhs.gov

Address: ERO-DRO-IHSC Public Health Service
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.

Employee Experience Liaison (O-6 Billet) Non-Supervisory - External Job in Washington, DC