Supervisory Detention and Deportation Officer (DFOD)

Department of Homeland Security

Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO)

Summary

View Common Definitions of terms found in this announcement.

Organizational Location: These positions are located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations, ALL AORs and Duty locations with the AOR.

These are non-bargaining unit positions.

This job is open to

Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement.

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.

Duties

As a Supervisory Detention and Deportation Officer (DFOD), you will perform the following duties:

Support the FOD in managing the law enforcement activities of the program through subordinate supervisors who supervise enforcement and non-enforcement employees involved in performing such diverse activities as detention, case management, foreign removals, transportation, food services, maintenance, the Institutional Removal Program, and health clinics, for all Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities relating to aliens detained in numerous institutions and jails throughout the Field Office jurisdiction;
Direct and coordinate the execution of varied and extensive functions in coordination with other operations of ICE and other federal agencies, foreign and domestic. Work directly involves or substantially impacts the provision of essential support operations to numerous, varied and complex technical, professional, and administrative functions;
Serve as a technical expert and liaison in developing and maintaining relationships with various stakeholders in the Federal government, private industry, and state and local law enforcement agencies; develop and implement policies and procedures for the detention and removal activity and operations;
Exercise significant authority in dealing with officials of other units/organizations and in advising management officials of higher rank on operational issues; assure reasonable equity of performance standards and ratings used by subordinate supervisors; and
Plan, assign and review work, and assure all requirements are met; approve leave; give advice, counsel, or instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters.

This announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies based on the needs of the agency.

Salary: The salary range indicated in this announcement reflects the lowest and highest potential salaries for this position. The actual salary range will be based on the applicable locality pay for the selected duty location. Special Salary pay tables may be found under Salaries & Wages.

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.
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.
Mobility agreement required.
This position requires the selectee to carry a firearm. Any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition (Title 18, U.S.C. Section 022 (g)(9)).
Convictions of misdemeanor crime of domestic violence are disqualifying.
Work Conditions: Job requires physical strength and stamina due to long periods of surveillance, restraining suspects, and carrying heavy equipment. Environment includes work indoors/outdoors in a potentially dangerous and stressful situations.
Travel: You will be required to travel frequently and on short notice.
ICE Deportation Officer may use deadly force when necessary, in accordance with the law and agency policy.
Motor Vehicle Operation: You must possess a valid automobile driver's license at the time of appointment.

Qualifications

All candidates must clearly demonstrate in their two-page resume how they meet the specialized experience requirements listed below. If more than two (2) pages are submitted, only the first two (2) pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.

Your resume needs to clearly outline your experience to include specific actions you took. Reviewers will not make assumptions regarding your role or experience.

Copying and pasting the duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume does not establish sufficient evidence of your experience or qualifications.

You qualify for the GS-15 grade level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the federal service, performing duties such as:

Serving as an expert who conducts legal research and investigations of large-scale, broad impact, and/or sensitive deportation/exclusion cases;
Making decisions related to large-scale removal functions and/or deportation reconsideration requests involving jurisdictional issues;
Representing the agency at a range of settings (e.g., hearings, intra-agency task forces, special project groups) on detention and deportation activities and operations;
Applying various supervisory and/or analytical management processes and systems to support the agency's mission;
Developing and implementing detention and deportation policies for the agency or within their area(s) of responsibility.

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.

Education

Completion of Training: You must have successfully completed Basic Immigration Law Enforcement Training in accordance with 8 CFR 287.1(g) and other applicable agency policy. This includes successful completion of the Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) Basic Immigration Enforcement Training Program (BIETP); ICE Detention & Removal Operations (DRO) Basic Immigration Law Enforcement Training Program (ICE_D); the legacy Immigration Officer Basic Training Course (IOBTC); the Border Patrol Academy; the combination of both the legacy Basic Immigration Detention Enforcement Officer Training Course and the ICE DRO Equivalency Training Program (ETP); the ICE Special Agent Training Program; the combination of FLETC Criminal Investigator Training Program and the DRO Equivalency Training Program for Special Agents (ETPSA) and for legacy US Customs Special Agents, the ICE / Customs Special Agent Cross Training Program. Due to regulatory requirements, no other training will be accepted. (Note: Completion of training is subject to verification).

Note: If you have previously completed one of the basic immigration law enforcement training courses as listed above, but have had a significant break of three years or more from a position that initially required this training, you will be required to attend and successfully complete a new ICE basic law enforcement training course as a condition of your employment. Failure to successfully complete the academy will result in your removal from this position.

Deportation Officer Transition Program (DOTP): Selectees who have not previously held a position as a Deportation Officer, Detention and Deportation Officer, Supervisory Deportation Officer, or Supervisory Detention and Deportation Officer and have not previously attended the six-week DOTP will be required to do so after entrance on duty. Successful completion of this course is mandatory per agency policy. Failure to successfully complete the academy will result in your removal from this position.

Administratively Uncontrollable Overtime (AUO): This position may require substantial amounts of irregular or occasional overtime. You will be required to work on an unscheduled basis in excess of the 40-hour workweek. You must be readily available to perform this unscheduled overtime on a continual basis. To compensate you for this irregular and occasional overtime, you may receive premium pay in the form of Administratively Uncontrollable Overtime (AUO).AUO is currently authorized for this position. However, authorization for AUO is dependent upon the incumbent meeting certain regulatory criteria and is subject to change.

Secondary Law Enforcement: The Detention and Deportation Officer (DDO) position is an approved Secondary Law Enforcement position under 5 USC 8331 (20) and 5 USC 8401 (17). Previous experience in a primary (AKA rigorous) law enforcement position (or equivalent outside the Federal Government) is a prerequisite.

Retirement Coverage: This position is an approved Secondary Law Enforcement position under 5 USC 8331 (20) and 5 USC 8401 (17). Law Enforcement retirement coverage (special law enforcement provisions) is extended only if this position immediately follows service in a law enforcement position. FERS applicants must have completed three (3) years of service in a rigorous (AKA primary) position and transfer directly from a covered position in order to continue Law Enforcement retirement coverage upon selection. (Note: Applicants may meet position qualification requirements, but not meet the special Law Enforcement retirement coverage eligibility. If such an applicant is selected, he/she will be placed in the regular retirement code.

Motor Vehicle Operation: This position requires a valid state driver's license and the ability to operate an automobile.

Mobility Agreement: You will be required to sign a Mobility Agreement as mobility is a factor in this occupation. You may be reassigned to a new location during your career based on the needs of the service.

Firearm Requirement: This position authorizes the incumbent to carry a firearm. Any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition [Title 18, U.S.C., Section 922(g)(9)]. A "misdemeanor crime of domestic violence" is generally defined under the statute as any offense involving the use or attempted use of physical force, or the threatened use of a deadly weapon, committed by the victim's current or former domestic partner, parent, or guardian. The term "convicted", as defined in the statute, excludes any person whose conviction has been expunged, set aside, or pardoned or any person whose civil rights have been restored unless the pardon, expungement or restoration of civil rights expressly prohibits the possession of firearms or ammunition. Candidates who have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence within the meaning of the referenced statute are not qualified for this position. Candidates under consideration will be required to certify whether they have ever been convicted of such an offense. False or fraudulent information provided by candidates is criminally punishable by fine or imprisonment [Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1001].

Additional information

E-Verify: DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

Suitability: If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.

Financial Disclosure: If you are hired, you may be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) within 30 days after appointment.

Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet these standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully obtain and maintain a background investigation for Top Secret as a condition of placement into this position. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.

Supervisory Probationary Period: This is a supervisory position. Under provisions of the Civil Service Reform Act, first time supervisors and/or managers will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period. You may also be required to complete an appropriate supervisory training course within one year of assignment to this position.

Mobility Agreement: This position is covered by the Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) 1801 Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) Mobility Program. As a condition of employment, (Insert Position name) must sign a Mobility Agreement acknowledging their willingness to accept geographic reassignment to any ICE/ERO duty location as determined by operational needs.

Geographic preferences will be considered when practicable; however, management retains discretion to assign employees based on mission requirements. Employees will generally receive at least 90 days advance notice of relocation, unless essential mission requirements or approved exceptions necessitate a shorter notice period.

Relocation expenses for directed reassignments will be reimbursed in accordance with Federal Travel Regulations and agency policy.

Failure to sign or comply with the Mobility Agreement may result in administrative action, up to and including separation from federal service.

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.

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.

Benefits: DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include: flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.

Review our benefits

How you will be evaluated

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

First, candidates' two-page resumes will be reviewed to determine whether they meet the specialized experience for the job, as described in the Qualifications section of this announcement.

Next, candidates who meet the required specialized experience will have their resumes evaluated further by a panel of trained reviewers to determine whether their work experience demonstrates possession of the following competencies needed to successfully perform the job duties.

Partnering
Planning/Evaluating
Strategic Thinking/Decision-making
Human Capital Management
External Awareness
Technical Competence (for example, legal compliance)

Lastly, candidates whose work experience in their resumes demonstrate possession of the competencies listed above will advance in the process and be placed on a referral list for further consideration.

NOTE: Adhere to the instructions below to maximize the content of your resume and best support the competency evaluation process; see OPM Two-Page Resume Guidance for more details.

Prioritize relevant experience that reflects the competencies.
Be clear when describing your experience, including outlining your specific actions.
List past relevant position titles and dates but focus on providing content that demonstrates the competencies.
Reviewers will not make assumptions about your experience as it relates to the competencies when evaluating your resume.
As a reminder, copying and pasting the duties or specialized experience from this announcement into your resume does not establish sufficient evidence of your experience or qualifications.

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).

After ICE completes its hiring, the resumes of the remaining candidates referred for selection consideration may be shared with other DHS Components. During the application process, you may choose to opt-in if you would like your name, application material, and assessment results to be shared. There is no guarantee of further consideration, and you can continue to explore other job opportunity announcements

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.

Required Documents

2-Page Resume showing relevant experience, education and training. Work experience must include: job title, duties, employer's name, employer's telephone number, employer's address, starting and ending dates (MM/YY), hours worked per week, and indicate whether or not we may contact your current supervisor. 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. (for more information, see the How do I write a resume for a federal Job-Two-Page Resume Limit).
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.
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.
You may be asked to provide a copy of your recent performance appraisal and/or incentive awards.

Failure to submit required documents will result in disqualification for this vacancy.

How to Apply

Only resumes up to a total of two pages will be accepted. Applicants with resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration.

To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete the Occupational Questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13086047, and submit all the required documentation as specified in he HOW TO APPLY and the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section.

The complete initial Application must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 10/29/2026.

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.

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 your online application, click "Apply Online" to create a USAJOBS account and follow the prompts or log in to your existing account. Your application packet must include a completed assessment questionnaire, a resume, and any applicable and or required supporting documentation. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional information. All application materials, including transcripts, must be in English. We encourage you to apply online.

Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email. The address below is for inquiries only. You may apply more than once, but the most recent application is the only one that will be used. You must submit your resume, your online questionnaire, and any supporting documents by 11:59 PM eastern standard time on10/29/2026.

It is your responsibility to verify that any information entered or uploaded is received and is accurate. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Determining your eligibility and qualifications is dependent on the supporting documentation and information provided, which may impact your referral for further consideration. If a document is not legible, you will not be able to view it in your application.

One or more positions may be filled using this vacancy announcement.

Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.

Agency contact information

Trevino Henderson

Email: Trevino.M.Henderson@associates.ice.dhs.gov

Address: ERO FIELD OFC SEATTLE
12500 Tukwila International Blvd
Seattle, WA 98168
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.

Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.

Additional locations

Denver, CO

Washington, DC

Miami, FL

Atlanta, GA

Chicago, IL

New Orleans, LA

Boston, MA

Detroit, MI

Fort Snelling, MN

Newark, NJ

Buffalo, NY

New York, NY

Philadelphia, PA

Dallas, TX

El Paso, TX

Harlingen, TX

Houston, TX

San Antonio, TX

Salt Lake City, UT

Chantilly, VA

Seattle, WA

Supervisory Detention and Deportation Officer (DFOD) Job