Leads national behavioral health programs and initiatives, including suicide prevention, trauma-informed care, training, mortality reviews, suicide autopsy investigations, external hospital partnerships, clinical consultation, and oversight of BHCCs. Requires advanced clinical licensure, significant post-licensure and supervisory experience. This position is only open to current USPHS officers. USPHS Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidates are not eligible for this position.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The incumbent leads as a Managerial/Senior Specialist Level Officer. Functions independently ensuring planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of entire projects and provision of complete services; supervising programs or services that encompass several professional fields.
The incumbent provides technical expertise to the various AORs and facilities and serves as the IHSC's subject matter expert on suicide prevention and suicide autopsy investigation procedures in immigration detention settings. The incumbent performs or coordinates the onsite suicide autopsy investigations of BHU in collaboration with IIU for all deaths identified to have been the result of a completed suicide.
The incumbent represents BHU on all mortality review committees and after-action panels conducted at the headquarters level. The incumbent provides clinical consultation to field staff on acute mental health treatment to individuals that present with signs/symptoms of suicidal, dangerous, or psychotic behaviors.
The incumbent functions as the program lead for the national network of inpatient behavioral health hospitals to include meeting with community hospitals and their CEOs, facilitating letters of understanding with new community hospitals, and performing hospital site visits. The incumbent supervises behavioral health clinical consultants and oversees BHCC monitoring of all aspects of behavioral health care and treatment in IHSC-staffed facilities.
Works collaboratively with Regional Clinical Directors, Regional Nurse Managers, and Regional HSAs as it pertains to the provision of behavioral health care and treatment in IHSC-staffed facilities. The incumbent assists in the coordination and problem solving of mental health care for noncitizens with higher level mental health needs.
The incumbent is responsible for reviewing all current literature and research to ensure care for at-risk patients occurs at a superior level and utilizes evidence-based practices. This is accomplished, in part, through the development of Clinical Practice Guidelines. Lead contact for spearheading implementation of mental health initiatives as assigned. Identify challenges that impede provider productivity and collaborate to offer solutions to RBHC.
Travel to HQ or other locations for training, education, site audits, and TDY on-call, as required. Complete special behavioral health-related assignments as requested by IHSC Behavioral Health Unit Chief and Deputy Chief. The incumbent provides structured education and training to medical, ICE, and contract staff on a broad range of mental health topics.
The incumbent obtains information to assist the BHU Chief and Deputy Assistant Director in responding to external inquiries regarding ICE Behavioral Health Unit related issues. The incumbent serves as a subject matter expert and consultant to other health professionals and ERO regarding all aspects of behavioral health and managed care for the detained ICE population.
The incumbent provides counseling, psychotherapy, behavioral modification, substance abuse education and treatment, when needed during field visits and TDYs. The incumbent possesses a high level of skill in assessing, identifying, and treating behavioral or other mental health conditions that interfere with successful treatment. The incumbent may need to provide tele-behavioral health services as need.
The incumbent may need to travel to other facilities for temporary duty as assigned (ITOS). The incumbent follows the supervisory chain of command. The incumbent performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Psychologist: 1. PhD or PsyD in Clinical Psychology from a graduate program in Psychology accredited by the American Psychological Association. 2. At least five (5) years of post-licensure supervised experience in Clinical Psychology. 3. Meet requirements for inclusion in the National Registry of Psychologist Providers if graduated after 1 January 1982. 4.
Licensed by a State or Territory at the Doctoral level for the independent practice of Psychology. 5. Knowledge of specific functions of Psychology to include but not limited to: Observation, Description, Testing, Evaluation, Interpretation, Diagnosis and Treatment. 6. Knowledge of the indications and contraindications, complications and techniques in the various psychiatric treatment and diagnostic modalities. 7. Proficient in Microsoft Office applications. 8.
Flexible and able to adapt to sudden changes in schedules and work requirements. 9. Experience in a correctional setting - preferred. 10. Credentialed and privileged with a current, permanent, full and unrestricted license to practice his/her discipline in the state where employed. 11. Maintains CPR/BLS certification. 12. Minimum of 3 years administrative experience in a supervisory capacity Social Worker: 1.
Master's degree in Social Work from a graduate program in social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). 2. Seven (7) years of post-clinical licensure supervised experience in Clinical Social Work. 3. Knowledge of the indications and contraindications, complications and techniques in the various psychiatric treatment and diagnostic modalities. 4. Proficient in Microsoft Office applications. 5.
Flexible and able to adapt to sudden changes in schedules and work requirements. 6. Experience in a correctional setting - preferred. 7. Credentialed and privileged with a current, permanent, full and unrestricted license to practice his/her discipline in the state where employed. 8. Maintains CPR/BLS certification. 9. Minimum of 3 years administrative experience in a supervisory capacity.
Complete ICE Course Developer Training and IHSC approved Psychological Autopsy Training within 12 months and 6 months of hire, respectively. Provide documentation/transcripts demonstrating clinical work within the completed graduate program as requested. Must maintain membership with licensing board associated with clinical license and submit required completion of CEUs to the licensing board annually as required.
Membership with the state or territory clinical licensing board is required. Knowledge of specific functions of mental health and psychopathology to include, but not limited to: Observation, Description, Evaluation, Interpretation, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Knowledge of the indications and contraindications, complications and techniques in the various psychiatric treatment and diagnostic modalities.
Knowledge of and experience in techniques of various evidenced-based treatment modalities (i.e., group treatment, individual cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-informed care etc.) BLS certification and completion of annual trainings to maintain competency and licensure. It is the incumbent's responsibility to fulfill the obligation(s) of their licensing or certifying body to maintain currency.
This position may be required to perform clinical activities with the scope of clinical license in times of critical needs within the agency. Cultural competency maintained through agency/other training.
This position is with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security.
The posted pay range is $1 – $150000/yr.
This position is eligible for telework.
This position requires a Other security clearance.
Applications close on 2026-10-21.
This position is open under the 'Public' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
Apply on official site →