Lead Credentialing Specialist (O-6 Billet) Supervisory

About the role

Responsible for daily credentialing operations within ICPU. Serves as first-line supervisor for Credentialing Specialists, managing workload, performance, quality review, compliance, reporting, training, and stakeholder coordination to ensure timely, accurate credentialing and privileging for providers serving IHSC detained aliens.

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

What you will do

• Provides direct supervision for the Credentialing Specialists responsible for processing credentialing for providers serving IHSC detained aliens in IHSC facilities, including:a.
• Assigning and balancing credentialing caseload based on workload, complexity, and deadlines;b.
• Completing performance evaluations and providing regular performance feedback as required by agency and USPHS policy;c.
• Approving reasonable leave requests independently, referring non-routine requests - such as extended absences, leave requests during high volume periods, or requests that leave the unit without adequate coverage - to the Deputy Chief for concurrence, and managing unit-level staffing coverage;d.
• Initiating or recommending corrective/disciplinary action in coordination with the Deputy Chief, and Chief as needed, when performance or conduct issues arise;e.
• Supporting recruitment, on-boarding, and on-the-job training of new Credentialing Specialists;f.
• Promoting a collaborative, accountable team environment across the unit.
• Quality and compliance duties include:a.
• Reviewing credentialing and privileging files for completeness and accuracy prior to submission or escalation;b.
• Ensuring unit-level compliance with agency and unit policies and practices, national credentialing and privileging standards, and regulatory authorities;c.
• Identifying recurring errors or process gaps and directing corrective action or SOP updates;d.
• Coordinating with the Health Systems Specialist on findings from the independent QI audit and ensuring unit-level corrective actions are completed and documented.
• Reporting and coordination duties include:a.
• Consolidating weekly status (aging files, error rates, backlog, throughput)into a single roll-up report for the Deputy Chief;b.
• Escalating exceptions - at risk tasks/turnaround, denied or flagged credentials, complaints, or compliance risks - to the Deputy Chief in a timely manner;c.
• Coordinating with the Program Analyst on credentialing tracking-system issues, data integrity, and technical support needs affecting unit operations;d.
• Representing unit-level interests in planning discussions and providing input on policy, staffing, and process changes;e.
• Providing regular briefings on unit performance to the Deputy Chief and, as requested, the Chief.
• Maintains subject-matter proficiency in credentialing and privileging practice, including provider licensure verification, primary source verification, practice agreements, and peer review processes, in order to provide accurate technical guidance and direction to unit staff.
• Supports ICPU Deputy Chief correspondence and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders, serving as subject matter expert to provide guidance, insight, and support on credentialing and privileging matters, ensuring inquiries are addressed accurately and in a timely manner.
• Performs credentialing and privileging tasks directly, as needed, to support unit workload, cover staffing gaps, and ensure continuity of operations.
• Applies supervisory principles and practices to plan, assign, and evaluate the work of subordinate Credentialing Specialists, ensuring equitable distribution of workload and consistent application of unit standards.
• Duties may be adjusted or reassigned to support ICPU and IHSC as unit workload and structure evolves.

Education

Requirements You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.

You must successfully pass a background investigation and a drug screen.

Males born after 12/31/59 must certify registration with Selective Service.

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. Service Remaining Requirement Agreement: upon appointment to this position, officers willbe required to serve a new18-month commitment to IHSC. Assignment Pay Agreement: applicants must not have a current Assignment Pay Agreement,or must have one that willbe fulfilled within 90 days of application submission.

PHS officers must participate in the IHSC TDY On-Call Schedule (ITOS) as required by unit and agency policy. Qualifying Masters degree from the U.S. Public Health Service Officer's category and at least three years of professional experience relevant to the Officer's category.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Minimum three years of credentialing or privileging experience, preferably within a healthcare, correctional healthcare, or managed-care setting. Minimum two years of supervisory or team-lead experience, with demonstrated ability to manage staff performance, workload distribution, and conflict resolution.

Working knowledge of credentialing standards and practices (e.g., NAMSS, NCQA, or Joint Commission credentialing standards); CPCS certification required, or must be obtained within two years of onboarding to the position. Demonstrated evidence of leadership skills and the ability to build and maintain a collaborative, accountable team environment across the unit.

Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to clearly convey procedural guidance, performance expectations, and status updates to both unit staff and leadership. Demonstrated attention to detail and accuracy in file review, with the ability to identify errors, gaps, or compliance risks before escalation.

Ability to train, mentor, and develop Credentialing Specialists, including staff at varying experience levels. Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive provider and personnel information; exercises judgment and discretion in handling and disseminating information.

Intermediate to advanced knowledge of credentialing tracking systems/databases and MS Office applications; SharePoint proficiency preferred. Ability to work collaboratively with the Health Systems Specialist, Program Analyst, and Deputy Chief as part of the unit's oversight structure.

Follows supervisory chain of command; flexibility and adaptability to sudden changes in schedules and work requirements.

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. *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.

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

The Lead Credentialing Specialist is a supervisory position responsible for the daily operations of IHSC credentialing activities within ICPU, overseeing the credentialing team of Credentialing Specialists who process credentialing and privileging for providers serving IHSC detained aliens. This position is a formal supervisory supervised by, and reports to, the Deputy Chief.

The incumbent is the first-line supervisor and rating official for Credentialing Specialists, with direct responsibility for workload distribution, performance management, and unit-level compliance.

IHSC has a multi-sector, multidisciplinary workforce of more than 1,600 employees, including U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) commissioned officers, federal civil servants, and contract staff.

IHSC provides on-site direct patient care to ICE detainees at 17 detention facilities throughout the country and manages the provision of off-site medical care for detainees housed in approximately 240 additional Intergovernmental Service Agreement (IGSA) facilities.

The ICE detainee population is approximately 34,000 on a daily basis, with an average length of stay of about 30 days, and over 400,000 detainees annually.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: The incumbent works under the supervision of the Deputy Chief of ICPU, who oversees assignments addressing overall unit priorities, sets performance expectations, and serves as the rating official for this position.

The incumbent independently plans, assigns, and directs the work of the Credentialing Specialists responsible for processing credentialing for providers serving IHSC detained aliens in IHSC facilities, and is the first-line supervisor and rating official for those staff - including completing performance evaluations, approving leave, and initiating or recommending corrective or disciplinary action in coordination with the Deputy Chief.

The Deputy Chief serves as the second-line/reviewing official for performance evaluations completed by the incumbent.

The incumbent resolves routine procedural and staffing matters independently and refers non-routine issues, compliance exceptions, and matters exceeding delegated authority (e.g., formal disciplinary action, hiring/separation decisions, non-routing leave requests) to the Deputy Chief. This is a formal supervisory position.

The position is intended to provide consistent, accountable first-line supervision of ICPU's credentialing operations, preserving a clear rating and performance-management chain for Credentialing Specialists responsible for processing credentialing for providers serving IHSC detained aliens in IHSC facilities.

Future restructuring may be considered as unit staffing and workload data are finalized.