IHSC Special Operations Unit Section Chief (O-6 Billet) Supervisory Job in Location Negotiable After Selection

Vacancy No. IHSC-HSS-ISOUSC-O6-S-2026 Department Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Salary $1.00 to $150,000.00 Grade 6 to 6
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 9/24/2026 Close Date 10/24/2026
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Location Negotiable After Selection


IHSC Special Operations Unit Section Chief (O-6 Billet) Supervisory

Department of Homeland Security
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC)

Summary

Supervisory clinical leader supporting IHSC Special Operations Unit programs across air, land, and sea missions. Oversees staff, training, policy, quality, logistics, and program evaluation while providing deployable direct patient care during ICE operations and interagency missions.

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

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Applicants must be a current USPHS Commissioned Corps Officer who works at IHSC. USPHS Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidates are not eligible for this position. Civilians are not eligible for this position.

Duties

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. Interpretation and translation of policies, regulations, laws and practices within the scope of the employees' duties.
  2. Provides direct supervision, tasking, programmatic and individual evaluation of the assigned staff and others as directed by the Unit Chief.
  3. Provides guidance and assists overseeing ISOU's programs (Medical Air Operations, Ground Operations, AMIO-USCG Support, Special Operations Reserve (SOR), ISOU Training, Sustainment Training, First Responder Continuity Training, Altitude Physiology/Aerospace Medicine Continuity Training, Clinical Practice, Aircrew Training, Crew Safety, Logistics/Supply, Medical Equipment, Public Health Information, Transport Safety & Quality, Medical Records, Peer Review, Credentials, Communication, Awards and Base Leads Programs) and within the mission, vision, and goals of the organization.
  4. Serves as an expert in programs development, expansion, and sustainability.
  5. Provides guidance to professional and technical staff in areas of program planning, development, and evaluation. Incumbent will develop and carry out a plan for evaluating program efficiency, effectiveness, and currency.
  6. Maintains a deployable status 24/7 in support of IHSC Special Operations missions to include: Air Operations, Ground Operations, and Sea Operations with maximum of one sea deployment as needed by USCG with UC approval.
  7. Provides mentoring and career development strategies to all assigned officers.
  8. Remains flexible and able to adapt to sudden changes in schedules and work requirements which may mean cancellation of leave if it interferes with unexpected missions or trainings.
  9. Must be able to travel 50% of the time or more as required.
  10. Assists with compiling monthly reports for submission to IHSC HQ.
  11. Participates in IHSC supervisory, programmatic meetings and training as assigned.
  12. Complete yearly performance evaluations for Special Operations base leads and program managers as assigned by the Unit Chief.
  13. 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.
  14. Serves as an expert in program development and expansion (e.g., Medical Air Operations, Training, Ground Operations and AMIO).
  15. Assists with preparing and delivering presentations to professional, academic, and special interest groups with expert knowledge, serves as an authority on national and international health care trends and a variety of health care service delivery issues.
  16. Analyzes health care, programs, transport and prehospital industry trends of related special population groups and mission sets.
  17. Assists in developing and implementing policies and guidelines to improve first responder health services, program delivery, and flight medicine to all assigned programs, projects and population needs.
  18. Assists Unit Chief in developing business plans, evaluating program goals and objectives, priorities, and activities in ISOU operations, 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 and ICE needs.
  19. Represents the ERO/IHSC Special Operations, in the Unit Chief's absence, 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.
  20. 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.
  21. Mastery of managerial and administrative practices including interpersonal and communication skills needed to interact with multiple federal agencies, military, state and local governments.
  22. Incumbent (RN or APP) serves as Medical Aircrew Member and first responder during ICE removal missions. Provides direct patient care for individuals in ICE custody, IHSC clinics, or during DHS missions in accordance with agency procedures, nursing guidelines, and/or clinical protocols. The incumbent works in small aircrafts, business jets, large airliners, or helicopters, which may be civilian, military and U.S. government local, state, or federal assets.
  23. Incumbent provides direct patient care on land, air or sea, to detainees as identified in USCG Alien Migrant Interdiction Operations and emergency medical care to U.S. Coast Guard staff in accordance with agency procedures and guidelines while shipboard.
  24. Must attend all assigned trainings and courses providing clinical, operations and leadership/managerial knowledge and skills.

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 a new 18-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 who works at IHSC. 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:

  1. 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.
  2. Demonstrates strong critical thinking, independent problem-solving skills, and prudent judgement skills.
  3. Demonstrates strong diplomatic skills in adversity. Makes rapid decisions, based upon limited clinical information, frequently under time constraints and with sensitivity to cultural and international relations.
  4. Demonstrates strong organizational and time management skills.
  5. Strong emotional intelligence.
  6. Work independently, as well as in a team-centered environment
  7. Active Listening Skills. Listens effectively; clarifies information as needed.
  8. Reading Comprehension.
  9. Superior oral/written communication skills. Makes clear and convincing oral presentations. Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.
  10. Behave in an honest, fair, and ethical manner. Shows consistency in words and actions. Exhibits high standards of ethics. Integrity/Honesty.
  11. Knowledge of teaching, training, research, making presentations, lecturing, testing, and other instructional methods.
  12. Inspires and fosters team commitment, spirit, pride, and trust. Facilitates cooperation and motivates team members to accomplish group goals.
  13. Ability to interface with other DHS components, within other uniformed services components, federal law enforcement agencies and NGOs.
  14. Deals effectively with pressure; remains optimistic and persistent, even under adversity. Recovers quickly from setbacks.
  15. It is open to change and new information; rapidly adapts to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
  1. Hazardous duty position requiring extended flying time, extended sea operations, and frequent foreign country travel.
  2. Required to perform CPR or emergency care standing and kneeling positions at times in confined spaces.
  3. 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).
  4. Must be able to lift, carry or push 50 lbs. of medical equipment 100 yds. without assistance. Incumbent carries equipment when boarding and disembarking the vessels.
  5. 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.
  6. Must easily alternate between kneeling, standing and walking in the confined space of small aircraft.
  7. Phone and computer use for extended periods of time.
  8. Sitting and/or standing for extended periods of time (8 Hours or more).
  9. 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.
  10. Agency may require incumbent to work extended hours and remain at sea, confined cabin space, or aircraft during inclement weather and ground delays.
  11. Must be able to physically able to climb ladders and stairs without impediment.
  12. Must be able to tolerate sudden changes in environment, temperature, seasons, altitudes, geographies and weather.
  13. Must be able to pass the FAA Class III Flight Physical for Altitude Physiology Chamber orientation.

Education

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

  1. Minimum 3 years of prior experience as member of the ISOU.
  2. Minimum 4 years' experience in immigration or correctional health systems.
  3. Knowledge of ISOU programs, operations, and missions.
  4. Knowledge of ICE/IHSC mandates, program policies and guidelines, operating procedures, and various departmental initiatives.
  5. Ability to interact with a wide variety of cultures, organizations, and special interest groups.
  6. Knowledge of organizations and responsibilities of all levels of government operations.
  7. 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.
  8. The incumbent must exercise a high degree of independence, initiative, judgment, and follow-through on a wide range of sensitive, complex administrative issues.
  9. Proficiency of Microsoft Office Programs: Word, Excel and PowerPoint
  10. Attend and pass all required training dependent on discipline and assigned position.
  11. Successfully be able to attain clearance at the Secret Level
  12. Maintains clinical professional skills via continuing education opportunities by self and/or agency.
  13. Maintain CPR/Basic Life Support and Advance Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification
  14. Knowledge of writing USPHS individual and unit awards.
  15. Must be able to attain and maintain DHS Secret Clearance.
  16. Must be able to attain and maintain a U.S. Government Official Passport.
  17. Must be able to attain and maintain a U.S. Government/ICE Official Credentials.
  18. Must maintain minimum flight hours per Official Non-Aircrew member flight orders.
  19. Preferred but not required at hire, knowledge, skills, and abilities:
      1. Master's degree in a clinical professional (RN, PA-C, FNP) or healthcare managerial field.
      2. Certification as Correctional Health Care Professional (CCHP).
      3. Knowledge and/or experience with IHSC policies, accreditation requirements.
      4. Knowledge of public health preparedness, infection control and tuberculosis management.
      5. Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS), Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) certification, Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC), Advance Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advance Life Support (PALS), Emergency Pediatric Care (EPC), Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC), National Registered Emergency Medical Tech at any level (NREMT/Basic/Advance/Paramedic), or Transport/Flight Medical Provider Course.
      6. Prior Patient Transport (Ground or Air) to include Aerospace Medicine or Flight Nurse experience and training in civilian or military programs.
      7. 3 years' experience Emergency Department, Intensive Care, or Patient Transport (Air or Ground).
      8. Proficient in any secondary language.
  20. 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), and IHSC Special Operations Unit (ISOU). The incumbent is supervised by the Chief of ISOU with the IHSC DAD of HSS as the reviewing official. This is a clinical and supervisory position.

As the ISOU Section Chief, the incumbent assists the Unit Chief with providing oversight of ISOU's 21 components programs. The incumbent works with a multi-disciplinary team in achieving the programmatic goals for the Division. This is a supervisory position that includes assisting with management and administrative responsibilities to include providing leadership and guidance, policy development and oversight, program assessment, including patient care as a registered nurse (RN), family nurse practitioner (FNP) or physician assistant (PA) on air, land and sea deployments.

ISOU provides specialized medical support during air, land and sea transport to include consultation, planning, planning, education/training, management, policy formulation, program coordination, direction, direct patient care and liaison for all health matters pertaining to illegal aliens in the custody of ICE. The incumbent will work alongside ICE officers, interact with civilian, state and federal government organizations, contract staff, U.S. and foreign dignitaries, and domestic and foreign law enforcement agencies including the Department of War (DOW). The incumbent's oversight may include support to ICE Air Operations (IAO) components involving international operations in the effort to repatriate detainees requiring continuity of care and medical or mental health assistance during the removal process. This may include oversight of the Alien Migrant Interdiction Operations (AMIO) component where officers provide medical assistance to the United States Coast Guard (USCG) aboard cutters and treating persons rescued or interdicted at sea.

IHSC has a multi-sector, multidisciplinary workforce of more than 1600 employees, including U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) 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 also provides medical support during ICE enforcement operations in the air, on the ground, and at sea.

DHS SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:

  1. DHS
  2. ICE
  3. ERO
HHS SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:
  1. DHHS
  2. USPHS CC
SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:
Incumbent works under the supervision of the Unit Chief of IHSC Special Operations. The IHSC Deputy Assistant Director of Health Systems Support serves as the incumbent's 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.

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

  1. Cover Letter/Letter of Interest.
  2. Degrees. (Place under "Diploma/GED")
  3. Professional license. (If applicable)
  4. Additional professional certificates. (If applicable)
  5. Three professional references. (i.e., name, title and contact information)
  6. 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.
  7. *Three most recent Commissioned Officer Effectiveness Reports (COER). (Place under "Performance Appraisal")
  8. A copy of your current Service Remaining Requirements Agreement.
  9. 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 10/24/2026.

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.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is calling on those who want to help protect American interests and secure our Nation. DHS components work collectively to prevent terrorism; secure borders and our transportation systems; protect the President and other dignitaries; enforce and administer immigration laws, safeguard cyberspace; and ensure resilience to disasters. We achieve these vital missions through a comprehensive workforce spanning hundreds of occupations. Make an impact; join DHS.

The mission of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is to protect America from the cross-border crime and illegal immigration that threaten national security and public safety. ICE focuses on smart immigration enforcement, preventing terrorism, and combating the illegal movement of people and goods. ICE is the principal investigative arm of DHS and the second largest investigative agency in the federal government. Created in 2003, through a merger of the investigative and interior enforcement elements of the U.S. Customs Service and the Immigration and Naturalization Service, ICE has more than 20,000 employees in more than 400 offices in the United States and around the world. ICE is a key component of the DHS layered approach to protecting our nation from a wide range of threats. For additional information about ICE and career opportunities, please visit www.ice.gov.

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

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Immigration and Customs Enforcement, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://www.ice.gov/detain/ice-health-service-corps