Clarification from the agency

Current Immigration and Customs Enforcement employees in the competitive service who hold a non-temporary career or career-conditional appointment only.

The incumbent must be a customer service professional who can work in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment. Things happen quickly and continuously in this position and the incumbent will find the need to move from one task to another without much time in between or juggling multiple duties at the same time.

The primary purpose of this position is to manage the Business Management Unit within the Office of Human Capital (OHC) Headquarters (HQ), reporting directly to the Chief of Staff. As a Supervisory Administrative Officer, at the full performance level, you will perform the following duties:

• Manage the Office of Human Capital's (OHC) budget functions by analyzing budget formulation and execution, including reports on commitments, obligations, expenditures, and receipts in relation to approved programs and available funds, and oversee the preparation of financial reports in accordance with management needs and requirements of laws, regulations, and established policies;
• Manage the Office of Human Capital's procurement functions by providing guidance on complex contracting matters, and reviewing, editing, and approving specifications and work statements by contracting specialists;
• Serve as a senior advisor to ICE management, responsible for providing accurate and timely counsel in all areas under the Business Management Unit. Review reports submitted by subordinates to determine validity of recommendations and conclusions, advise the Chief of Staff on prioritization of resources to determine the highest impact for OHC, develop and recommend changes in program objectives, operations, and resource utilization to enhance accomplishment of goals and objectives; and
• Exercise sophisticated professional judgment to manage multiple complex tasks at a time with little to no oversight, while ensuring timeliness, accuracy, and completeness in line with OHC standards. Gather and analyze information, identify and address problems or issues, and make informed decisions or recommendations.

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.
• Time in Grade: Current Federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade in the Federal service. Time in grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
• Probationary Period: This is a full-time permanent position (Career/Career-Conditional appointment). Upon appointment to this position, you may be required to serve a one-year probationary period.

Qualifications

You qualify for the GS-15 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the federal service, performing duties such as:

• Directing/managing/overseeing staff and resources that support the planning, management and execution of business management functions, including budget, procurement, and/or executive correspondence;
• Independently administering business management functions (i.e. budget formulation and execution, contracting and procurement, human capital management, support and administrative services, records management, property management, facilities management, etc.);
• Working cross-functionally with senior staff and leadership to create and implement operational (i.e. human resources, budgetary, procurement) policies and procedures for an organization; and
• Condense complex subjects into concise, accurate, and convincing briefing materials for senior leaders.

Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Qualification claims will be subject to verification.

National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Homeland Security and its Components from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the POC listed below.

How you will be evaluated

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

The vacancy questionnaire includes four short, free-response essay questions. This provides an opportunity for you to highlight your dedication to public service for the hiring manager and agency leadership (or designee(s)). While your responses are not required and will not be scored, we encourage you to thoughtfully address each question. Please provide a response of 200 words or less to each question. You will be asked to certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI such as a large language model (LLM) like ChatGPT or Copilot.

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. In addition, as part of the assessment process, applicants will complete a structured interview and will be evaluated on the following competencies:

• Budget Planning and Management: Definition: Understands the organization's financial processes. Prepares, justifies, and administers the program budget. Oversees procurement and contracting to achieve desired results. Monitors expenditures and uses cost-benefit thinking to set priorities.
• Compliance: Definition: Assesses, evaluates, and monitors programs or projects for compliance with Federal laws, regulations, policies, and other relevant guidance.
• Leadership: Definition: Leads and motivates individuals and teams to accomplish organizational goals. Establishes clear direction and accountability, and creates collaborative and inclusive work environments.
• Problem Solving and Decision Making: Definition: Analyzes complex issues, evaluates relevant information, and distinguishes critical facts from irrelevant or incomplete information to make sound, well-reasoned judgments. Develops practical solutions that address individual, programmatic, and organizational challenges while balancing risk, policy, and mission requirements.
• Partnering: Definition: Develops networks and builds alliances; collaborates across boundaries to build strategic relationships and achieve common goals.

If you are found qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. Failure to complete the interview may result in removal from further consideration.

Due weight will be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards in merit promotion selection decisions in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3).

Pursuant to Executive Order 12564, and the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan, ICE is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions (testing designated positions) are subject to random drug testing. Moreover, other drug testing of employees (e.g., reasonable suspicion drug test) may be conducted in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. All applicants tentatively selected for employment at ICE are subject to pre-employment drug testing and a final offer of employment is contingent upon a negative drug test result.

1. Resume Note: For what to include in the resume, click the link.
   • Limit your resume to no more than two pages. The USAJOBS database will not allow an applicant to submit an application that includes a resume over two pages.
   • In describing your experience on your resume, please be clear and specific. We will not make assumption regarding your experience.
   • Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.
2. Are you a current ICE employee? Submit a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action that demonstrates your eligibility for consideration, e.g., length of time you have been in your current grade; your highest grade held; your current promotion potential and proof of permanent appointment if applying based on an interchange agreement. Examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, within-grade increases, and accessions.
3. Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment: Position title, type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee), agency and beginning and ending dates of appointment.
4. You may be asked to provide a copy of your recent performance appraisal and/or incentive awards.

Next steps