Deputy Unit Chief for the IHSC Communications Unit supports the Unit Chief in leading national-level communications, staff supervision, workflow management, strategic messaging, executive communications, digital content, campaigns, and crisis/issues support. Ensures accurate, timely, audience-focused products aligned with ICE and IHSC priorities. 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: Strategic Communications and Campaign Leadership Assist the Unit Chief in managing integrated, multi-channel communications strategies that support ICE Health Service Corps priorities. Lead the development of clear, compelling, and audience-focused messaging that translates complex IHSC initiatives, priorities, and program information for senior leaders, stakeholders, and diverse internal and external audiences.
Develop task management standards, standardize approaches, and expectations; ensure uniform implementation across the Communications Unit; and ensure high-quality communications and customer service. Provide strategic communications support to ICE Health Service Corps leadership, including messaging, timing, targeting audience, and risk considerations.
Oversee enterprise-level communications campaign strategy from concept through execution and evaluation, aligning messaging, stakeholder engagement, and performance outcomes with organizational priorities. Advise the Unit Chief and staff on communications strategy, messaging and risk considerations, including support for issues and crisis communications as needed.
Writing, Content Development, and Executive Communications Assist the Unit Chief in overseeing the planning, writing, editing and production of communications content for ICE Health Service Corps, including executive communications, speeches, talking points, news releases, web content, social media and feature stories. Provide supervisory review of high-visibility communications products to ensure accuracy, clarity, consistency, and alignment with ICE and IHSC priorities.
Guide staff in developing content for publications, presentations, web platforms, reports, internal campaigns, and leadership communications. Ensure complex IHSC data, initiatives, policies, and program outcomes are translated into clear, accurate, and audience-appropriate communications for leadership, employees, stakeholders, and other audiences. Review communications products to maintain consistency of voice, message, tone, and branding across communications products.
Identify quality issues, provide corrective feedback, and coach staff on improving writing, editing, and product development. Digital Strategy and Institutional Communications Assist the Unit Chief in shaping and overseeing IHSC digital communications strategy across internal and external platforms, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities, stakeholder needs, and mission objectives.
Supervise and coordinate staff responsible for web content, social media coordination, digital engagement, and related communications products. Ensure IHSC web content is accurate, current, accessible, and aligned with institutional priorities. Apply digital content best practices, including accessibility standards and audience engagement strategies. Partner with communications and social media staff to ensure cohesive storytelling across platforms.
Provide support for issues management and crisis communications, including message development and coordination with leadership. Project Management, Stakeholder Coordination, and Team Support Provide guidance for complex tasks and coordination for IHSC-wide efforts to ensure all resources are used properly, there are no duplication of efforts, and all communications requirements are satisfied.
Assist the Unit Chief in managing all aspects of Unit operations, including supervising staff, assigning tasks and projects, and overseeing communications intake and workflow processes to ensure appropriate prioritization, clear expectations, balanced workloads, and timely delivery. Coordinate across design, digital, events and data visualization teams to execute high-impact communications initiatives.
Ensure ICU is responsive, professional, and timely to all requests for communications services. Train, develop, coach, and assist communications specialists as needed. Develop workflows and standards to improve efficiency and consistency of communications output.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Holds a qualifying degree for the officer's category and an advanced degree, such as an M.A. or M.S., from an accredited institution, plus at least five years of professional experience relevant to the officer's category. Of the total professional experience, officer must possess at least three years of leadership, management, or administration experience.
If the incumbent holds a clinical license, it is the responsibility of the incumbent 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. Knowledge of strategic communications principles and ability to develop, execute, and evaluate integrated, multi-channel communications strategies and campaigns.
Skill in writing, editing, and producing clear, accurate, and compelling communications products for executive, internal, external, digital, media, and event audiences. Maintain high degree of independence, initiative, and follow through on a wide range of sensitive, complex, and program issues. Skill in advising leadership on communications strategy, messaging, timing, audience targeting, risk considerations, and issues or crisis communications.
Skill in managing communications projects, intake processes, workflows, timelines, priorities, approvals, and competing deadlines. Ability to professionally interact effectively and collaborate with other IHSC, ERO, ICE, and DHS offices, as well as all levels of management. Flexibility and ability to adapt to sudden changes in schedules and work-related requirements.
Skill in evaluating communications effectiveness using qualitative and quantitative information and recommending improvements.
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 2026-11-05.
This position is open under the 'Public' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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