Head of Contracting Activity

Head of Contracting Activity

Department: Department of Homeland Security

Location(s): Washington, District of Columbia

Salary Range: $151661 - $228000 Per Year

Job Summary: The Head of Contracting Activity is a Senior Executive Service (SES) position within the Office of Acquisition Management, Management and Administration Directorate of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The Head of Contracting Activity serves as the principal acquisitions management official in ICE.

Major Duties:

• The Office of Acquisition Management (OAQ) operates as a full business partner, collaborating with internal and external organizations to develop and deliver quality acquisition solutions in support of the ICE and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) missions. The Head of Contracting Activity is the Chief Acquisitions Officer for ICE and ensures that OAQ serves as a strategic asset dedicated to the agency's overall business performance. As the Head of Contracting Activity, you will be responsible for: Leading, supervising, and directing the work of an acquisition management organization in support of critical DHS programs. Serving as a principal partner on all elements of program execution that have a material impact on the development, modification, and execution of ICE acquisition strategies. Partnering with elements of the ICE organization to support the development, implementation, and refinement of the business management process. Providing executive leadership for the development and implementation of ICE procurement policies and procedures to ensure proper implementation of governing directives. Advising various boards and committees as identified by the DHS Chief Procurement Officer. Providing advice and counsel to the Director, Deputy Director, and Executive Associate Directors for Management and Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, and Enforcement and Removal Operations, as well as other ICE senior executives, regarding highly complex and sensitive procurement and contracting principles, concepts, regulations, practices, and management issues, including matters related to policies and long-range plans for the organization. Designing and developing the organizational structure for OAQ to accomplish work in the most efficient and cost-effective manner. Developing and maintaining metrics through subordinate managers to monitor work status and assess overall effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity. Identifying program deficiencies and taking appropriate action to resolve issues, maintaining program operations in support of OAQ, ICE, and DHS missions, goals, and objectives. Overseeing and reviewing the expenditure of funds, ensuring effective use of resources and authorizing cost-saving initiatives to increase efficiency while maintaining high professional standards. Representing ICE and collaborating with other federal agencies regarding procurement and contracting efforts and activities.

Qualifications: 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. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. To meet the minimum qualifications requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Technical Qualifications (TQs) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position. There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the ECQs or TQs. TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the TQs. TQ 1: Demonstrated expert knowledge of, and advanced skill in applying, federal procurement laws, rules, regulations, and practices, including proven leadership of an organizational entity responsible for managing high-volume and complex acquisition operations. EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the TQs listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position. ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding - This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people. ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades. ECQ 3: Merit and Competence - This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. ECQ 4: Leading People - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable. ECQ 5: Achieving Results - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors. Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in a U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM)-approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50 or certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.

How to Apply: To apply for this position, you must complete this application and submit any required documents specified in the Required Documents section and submit by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. To begin, click "Apply" to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application. Follow the prompts to select and upload your resume and/or other required documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the "Include Personal Information" section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. It is applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and uploaded, (i.e., resume and other required documents) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Application packages will not be accepted via mail. Due to security processes, mail delivery takes approximately 2-3 weeks to process, at which time the vacancy announcement will be closed, and no further consideration will be given to additional application packages.

Application Deadline: 2026-03-25