Communications Specialist (O-5 Billet) Non-Supervisory

About the role

Communications Specialist supports IHSC by developing internal communication plans, drafting and editing leadership messages, newsletters, web content, briefings, and other products; managing digital distributions and projects; coordinating with subject matter experts; ensuring accuracy, accessibility, and style consistency; and supporting town halls and onsite communication needs.

This position is only open to USPHS officers and Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidates.

What you will do

• Develops and implements strategic internal communication plans for IHSC, using broadcast messages, digital platforms, newsletters, magazines, communication workgroups, and live Town Hall meetings to enhance communication across the organization.
• Coordinates planning, content development, review, and quarterly publication of the IHSC Communicator magazine, and oversees its dissemination to field facilities.
• Drafts, edits, and reviews a wide range of communication products, including speeches, web content, magazines, newsletters, briefings, pamphlets, handbooks, training materials, manuals, regulations, guidebooks, standard operating procedures, and other written materials to convey complex IHSC information clearly and accurately.
• Uses Adobe design programs and Microsoft Office products to write, edit, design, format, and maintain content in appropriate style for both print and online mediums.
• Works closely with staff across IHSC and the Office of the Chief of Staff, providing excellent customer service while coordinating information needs, reviewing messages prior to dissemination, and responding to service requests.
• Collaborates with teams and subject matter experts to produce content that is timely, accurate, and consistent with agency policy, standards for style, format, and accessibility, and applicable laws, regulations, and internal review and approval processes.
• Manages communication projects and assigned tasks from inception through completion, including planning, timelines, resource coordination, and workload management to meet inflexible deadlines and organizational priorities.
• Sends and manages distribution of messages, announcements, and other communication products across digital platforms and internal communication channels.
• Contributes to the development, implementation, and refinement of IHSC communication policies, procedures, standards, and best practices.
• Provides leadership, guidance, and mentorship to junior communications staff and contractors, and may serve as a team or project lead on major communication initiatives.
• Deploys for up to 30 days per year to internal facilities, as needed, through IHSC's TDY On-Call Schedule (ITOS) Program to support onsite communication needs.

Education

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Possesses a qualifying degree for the officer's category and an advanced degree (e.g., M.A. or M.S.) from an accredited institution, plus a minimum of five years of professional experience relevant to the officer's category.

Demonstrates expert writing skills to draft announcements, magazine articles, and other products, and to consolidate complex information for dissemination across the organization. Uses desktop publishing programs to create professional communication documents such as newsletters, postcards, flyers, invitations, and brochures.

Reviews and edits documents for plain language and appropriate audience, ensuring correct grammar, punctuation, and usage. Applies program policies, guidelines, and operating procedures related to communications to a wide range of assignments. Understands the organizations, functions, and responsibilities of all levels of government operations as they relate to communications.

Demonstrates flexibility and the ability to adapt to sudden changes in schedules, priorities, and work-related requirements. Works with a high degree of independence, initiative, and follow-through on a wide range of sensitive, complex, and program issues.

Possesses knowledge and proficiency in Adobe and Microsoft Office applications and GovDelivery for drafting, formatting, and disseminating communication products.

How you will be evaluated

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.

Documents you must provide

• 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.
• Public Health Service Officers Cover Letter/Letter of Interest.
• (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.
• A copy of your Certificate of Investigation (located in your eOPF). *Three most recent Commissioned Officer Effectiveness Reports (COER).
• (Place under "Performance Appraisal") For IHSC USPHS officers only, 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.
• New Call to Active Duty Cover letter/Letter of Interest.
• Please include location preference here.
• (Place under "Diploma/GED") Professional license.
• (If applicable) Additional professional certificates.
• (If applicable) Three professional references (i.e., name, title, and contact information) CV - e.g., relevant experience, education, training.
• (Place under "USPHS Promotion CV") U.S. Public Health Service - Appointment Board Decision Letter/Email or a screenshot of AES dashboard to the United States Public Health Service

What to expect next

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.

Additional information

This U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC), Office of the Chief of Staff, IHSC Communications Unit, Communications Team. This is a non-supervisory position.

IHSC has a multi-sector, multidisciplinary workforce of more than 1,650 employees, including PHS commissioned officers, federal civil servants, and contract staff. In FY 2025, IHSC managed a health care system that provided direct care to more than 171,000 detained aliens housed at 17 IHSC-staffed facilities nationwide.

IHSC provided medical, dental, mental health, and public health services, resulting in nearly 1.4 million health care encounters in FY 2025. IHSC also managed off-site medical care for detained aliens housed in about 217 additional non-IHSC-staffed facilities.

The Communications Unit oversees official communications with internal and external audiences, maintains IHSC websites and collaboration platforms, and supports senior leadership and all IHSC units, offices, programs, and facilities.

The Communications Unit develops and implements communication strategies that support the agency's mission; produces electronic and printed products, including leadership messages, newsletters, fact sheets, talking points; plans and executes internal campaigns; reviews policies, reports, and other documents before publication; and coordinates town halls and similar events.

The Communications Unit provides expert writing and editing services to clearly explain complex medical and operational information, advises leadership on communication approaches, and ensures consistent, accurate information sharing across the organization. SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: The communications specialist works under the supervision of the Communications Team lead.