Investigator (O-5 Billet) Non-Supervisory - Internal

Summary

The Investigator position within ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC) involves conducting administrative investigations at detention facilities, including health care complaints, morbidity/mortality incidents, and staff misconduct. Requires a clinical license, investigative skills, knowledge of ICE standards, and travel. 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.

Duties

• DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Conducts prompt, equitable, and impartial administrative investigations (e.g., referred medical complaints, patient morbidity and mortality, and alleged staff misconduct). Researches and applies relevant policies/standards, conducts interviews, reviews and gathers evidence, and writes reports of investigative findings; audiences include senior leadership, external agency and department stakeholders, congress, and the general public. Tracks, calculates, and documents time and costs for investigative activities. Assists regional senior investigator with reviewing unit operations, and as appropriate, recommends strategies to accomplish workload, improve performance, and achieve unit efficiencies. Judgmental failure can result in incomplete or ineffective investigations, inaccurate findings, and inappropriate corrective or disciplinary actions. This may negatively impact the work of subordinate investigators, impair employees' faith in the accountability process, bring discredit to the agency, or damage the public's opinion of the agency's health care delivery system. The purpose of work contacts is primarily to collaborate, explain, and interpret policies and programs within the mission of the unit. In addition, work contacts include agency senior officials and contract detention facility leadership for the purpose of planning and conducting on-site investigations within the mission of the organization.

Qualifications

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: May be exposed to stressful situations while completing assignments. Sitting and/or standing for extended periods of time (6-10 Hours). Lifting and carrying: investigative equipment (e.g., laptop computer, portable printer, office supplies and documents), personal luggage, patients with assistance. Average manual dexterity for computer operation. Phone use for extended periods of time. Must be able to wear N-95 respirators. Required to perform CPR standing or kneeling.

Education

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Current unrestricted license to practice in any U.S. State or Territory in one of the following professional categories: Registered Nurse, Advanced Practice Nurse, Physician Assistant, Behavioral Health Professional, Pharmacist, Dentist, Dental Hygienist, and/or Physician. Qualifying degree for the officer's category plus a minimum of five years of professional experience relevant to the officer's category. Of the total professional experience, officer must possess at least two years of experience satisfactorily performing duties of a licensed health care professional in a detention/correctional facility. At least two years of supervisory experience or experience related to management or administration of public health programs is preferred. Applicant must meet qualifications for the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) Management Inquiry Training within one year of hiring. Requirements include: GS 13, or PHS LCDR, or above; Minimum six years' experience in an ICE office, or at the unit chief's discretion; No recent or pending disciplinary action; Working knowledge of ICE rules, regulations, and policies; and Must receive a favorable adjudication on a Tier 4 background investigation. Valid driver's license and be willing to travel, by agency-directed means, up to twice per month, for 1 - 7 days per trip, with little or no advanced notice. Knowledge of investigative resources, investigative principles and techniques, evidence collection and interviewing techniques, investigative report writing, agency writing style, patient safety and medical quality management principles and techniques, and health care risk management principles and techniques. Knowledge of ICE Detention Standards, American Correctional Association Standards, National Commission on Correctional Health Care Standards, generally applicable health care standards, laws, and regulations, and professional practice standards, laws, and regulations. Knowledge of IHSC, ICE, and PHS rules, regulations, and policies. Proficiency with computer applications used in general office settings, e.g., Microsoft Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, and SharePoint. 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.

How to apply

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 09/30/2026. 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.