Supervisory Communication Specialist (O-5 Billet) Supervisory

Department of Homeland Security

Immigration and Customs Enforcement

ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC)

Summary
This job is open to
Duties
Requirements
How you will be evaluated
Required documents
How to apply

Summary

This ICE Health Service Corps supervisory role oversees communications and supports direct care throughout the Nation, to include medical, dental, mental health, and public health services. The Communications Unit manages strategies, materials, and events to ensure clear, consistent messaging and expert support for IHSC leadership and staff.

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

Summary

Overview

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Accepting applications

Posted this week · Apply in 2 days

Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 26, 2026

Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

Location Negotiable After Selection

Work site options

Telework eligible: Yes—Situational telework may be available, based on the needs of the agency.

Remote job: No

Relocation expenses reimbursed: Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.

Salary: $1 - $150,000 per year
Please note that the salary is dependent on the officer's rank, years in service, and location of duty station.

Pay scale & grade

CC 5

Promotion potential: None

Learn more about pay scale and grade

Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.

Work schedule: Full-time

Travel Required: 25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Appointment type: Permanent

Occupations and job series

0394 Communications Clerical

Supervisory status: Yes

Federal service type: This job is in the Excepted Service

Represented by a union: No

Drug test: Yes

Security clearance: Other

Position sensitivity and risk: Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk

Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.

Background check type

Financial disclosure required: No; Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.

Announcement number: IHSC-ICU-SCS-S-2026

Control number: 873611800

This job is open to

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Internal to an agency

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

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.

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Duties

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DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leads the Communications Team by supervising three communications specialists; sets priorities, assigns and reviews work, provides technical guidance, conducts performance evaluations, identifies training needs, approves leave, and helps resolve workload and personnel issues.
Develops and implements communication strategies and products that support IHSC's mission, including messages, magazines, newsletters, pamphlets, handbooks, training materials, manuals, and other print and electronic materials, ensuring alignment with agency branding, policy, and legal requirements.
Serves as the subject matter expert for written communications by authoring and maintaining the IHSC Style Guide and leading updates to the IHSC Communications Directive and Guide; provides day-to-day consultation and training on plain language, grammar, tone, and formatting to promote consistent writing standards across IHSC.
Writes, edits, designs, formats, and maintains content for print and online use, using Adobe and Microsoft Office products and other digital platforms; ensures clarity, conciseness, and proper version control.
Coordinates with units and subject matter experts across the agency, as well as with ICE and ERO counterparts, to gather information, support communication initiatives and workgroups, align messaging, and ensure content is timely, accurate, and consistent with agency policy and standards.
Plans, executes, and evaluates communication initiatives and campaigns, including broadcast messages, live town hall meetings, Communicator magazine, and other outreach activities; develops project plans and timelines, oversees production and logistics, and uses metrics and feedback to assess effectiveness and recommend improvements.
Distributes messages and communication products using appropriate digital tools and platforms, such as email, intranet, and collaboration sites; targets content to appropriate audiences, ensures timely release, and follows records management and archival guidelines.
PHS officers must participate in IHSC's 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 deploys to IHSC-staffed facilities to serve.

Requirements

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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

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Requires physical exertion such as lifting objects greater than 30 pounds.
Required to perform CPR/emergency care standing or kneeling.
Must have the ability to assist sick, injured, or aging staff exiting the building (may require lifting, dragging, wheeling, or carrying someone who weighs significantly more than self).
The work may necessitate some physical characteristics that will be required when responding to an emergency, such as running a short distance, prolonged standing.

Education

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Holds a qualifying degree for the officer's category and an advanced degree (for example, M.A. or M.S.) from an accredited institution, plus at least five years of professional experience relevant to the officer's category. Of this experience, the officer must have direct experience in public affairs, journalism, or professional writing. A graduate degree in a health care discipline is preferred.
Demonstrates expert writing skills to draft announcements, write magazine articles, and consolidate information for distribution across the organization.
Demonstrates strong ability to review and edit documents for plain language and active voice, using correct grammar and punctuation.
Has experience using desktop publishing programs to create professional communication products such as newsletters, postcards, flyers, invitations, or brochures.
Demonstrates knowledge of program policies, guidelines, and operating procedures related to communications.
Understands the roles and responsibilities of organizations at all levels of government as they relate to communications.
Demonstrates flexibility and the ability to adapt to sudden changes in schedules and work requirements.
Works with a high degree of independence, initiative, and follow-through on a wide range of sensitive, complex program and communication issues.

Additional information

MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT:
The Public Health Service details U.S. Public Service Commissioned Corps officers to the Department of Homeland Security as described in a Memorandum of Agreement.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:
The Supervisory Communications Specialist works under the supervision of the IHSC Communications Unit chief.

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.

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.

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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 06/26/2026.

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.

Required Documents

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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

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