Deputy Chief, Office of Policy and Strategy

About the role

This position is located in the Office of Policy and Strategy. As the Deputy Chief, you will provide senior-level policy and strategic advice to the USCIS Director and Deputy Director. He/She will ensure alignment with the agency and Administration priorities, support budget execution, and advance USCIS mission objectives.

What you will do

• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
• We lawfully administer immigration and naturalization adjudication functions and establish immigration services policies and priorities.
• The Office of Policy & Strategy (OP&S) develops national immigration policy recommendations; coordinates regulations development; supports the creation and approval of official information collections by USCIS; performs research, evaluation, and analysis on immigration issues; and is a principal liaison on immigration policy and strategic planning issues with DHS headquarters and sister agencies that reflect the goals of the USCIS Director.
• Major Duties The Deputy Chief of OP&S provides advice and counsel to the Director and Deputy Director on major policies and programs.
• He/She utilizes in-depth knowledge and awareness of the USCIS vision, strategy, mission and policy, and program objectives in order to review and interpret policy and program issues.
• The Deputy Chief will exercise executive direction and leadership in advising the Director and carrying out the following duties and responsibilities: Manages the immigration policy drafting and development process to prepare policies for implementation by relevant offices.
• Obtains information and data from subordinate supervisors, as needed, and evaluates program recommendations submitted in terms of their impact on broad program goals and strategic initiatives, ensuring that they align with agency direction and other USCIS policies.
• Consults with the Director and Deputy Director of USCIS and other high-level officials on a wide range of policy issues.
• Actively participates in the budget formulation and execution process for furtherance of USCIS program goals and objectives.
• Assisting in the development of the Unified Agenda and direct the preparation and review of information and reports required for DHS, Congress, and other authorized agencies.
• Acts as an ambassador on behalf of USCIS with DHS and other governmental bodies on issues arising from the policy development process, including substantive policy and operational positions and implementation timelines.
• As a member of the agency's executive team, you will implement the President's Management Agenda within your specific area of responsibility.
• For an overview of the various responsibilities USCIS carries out within the Government, visit our website at ***

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

How you will be evaluated

Our evaluation will be based on the information you provide. Verification of performance, suitability and security information from reference checks will be taken into consideration when making offers of employment. Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be conducted.

If you meet minimum qualifications, your Application Package will be further reviewed to determine if you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (MTQ) listed above. ECQs and TQs must be thoroughly addressed within your two (2) page resume. Separate narratives will not be accepted or reviewed.

Highly Qualified applicants may undergo one or more interviews and may be referred to the selecting official for further consideration.

Upon selection, if not already a member of the SES serving under a career appointment, the individual selected must have his/her executive qualifications certified by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB) before appointment to this position.

The selected individual's application will be forwarded to the OPM for review and certification by the QRB, unless the selectee provides evidence of their noncompetitive status (i.e., a current SES, OPM QRB certified SESCDP graduate, or SES reinstatement eligible). Upon QRB certification, the selected individual will be required to serve a one-year probationary period.

For more information regarding the SES, go to ***

Documents you must provide

• A complete application includes items described below.
• Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you will not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible).
• Please carefully review the following list to determine what documentation you need to submit.
• Some documents may not apply to all applicants.
• REQUIRED: RESUME - All applicants are required to submit a resume limited to two (2) pages (i.e., 1 page that is double-sided or 2 pages that are one-sided each, no less than 11pt font and 0.8 margins) showing all relevant experience.
• Applicants seeking initial career appointment to the Senior Executive Service (SES) must include evidence of the ECQs and TQs.
• PLEASE DO NOT USE USAJOBS RESUME BUILDER.
• REQUIRED VACANCY QUESTION/ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSES: Responses are automatically submitted through USA Jobs when you apply to this vacancy.
• ADDITIONAL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Applicants are required to submit the following supporting documentation if applicable: CURRENT OR FORMER SES MEMBERS: Must provide your SES appointment SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), and an SF-50 showing current career SES status or career SES reinstatement eligibility.
• SES CANDIDATE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (SESCDP) GRADUATES: Verification of successful completion of an OPM-approved SESCDP and OPM SES QRB certification.
• CURRENT FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEE: Must provide a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting you are a current Federal Civil Service employee.
• REQUIRED: If you are not a current U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services employee, a copy of your most recent annual performance appraisal (i.e., within the last 18 months form the closing date of this vacancy announcement, from either the Federal or private sector) is REQUIRED.
• Please remove your social security number and date of birth from any documentation you provide.
• If you are unable to provide your most recent annual performance appraisal, please provide a written justification explaining why you could not provide the requested documentation.
• Applicants who fail to provide the most recent annual performance appraisal or written justification explaining why you did not provide the requested documentation will be disqualified for further consideration because your application will be incomplete.

What to expect next

To verify the status of your application, sign in to your USAJOBS account (***), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: ***

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.

Additional information

Veterans Preference: Veterans' preference is not applicable to the SES. Mobility: Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES leaders.

Individuals selected for SES positions members may be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines, and may be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligation Agreement.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Statement: *** Employment Information Resources - Resource Center: *** Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see ***) If you are unable to apply online, please contact *** OPM must authorize any employment offers made to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employees in the executive branch.

If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Noncareer SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the Human Resources Office.