Deputy Chief, Health Operations Plans and Programs (O-6 Billet) Supervisory

Deputy Chief, Health Operations Plans and Programs, provides supervisory leadership for national health operations planning, facility readiness, transitions, logistics, contingency operations, and special missions. Serves as principal advisor and Acting Chief as needed; supervises staff, directs complex projects, manages risks and resources, and coordinates with senior stakeholders. This position is only open to USPHS officers who are currently IHSC employees.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Serve as principal deputy to the Chief, HOPPs, and as Acting Chief when needed, exercising delegated authority to direct operations, establish priorities, resolve issues, advise senior leaders, and ensure continuous mission execution. Leads lifecycle planning and coordination for IHSC-staffed detention healthcare facilities, including operational plans, readiness assessments, staffing support, logistics strategies, risk mitigation, and compliance with applicable DHS, ICE, ERO, IHSC, USPHS, and federal requirements. Supervises HOPPs program analyst and program managers by assigning work, setting priorities, reviewing deliverables, managing performance, identifying workforce gaps, supporting succession planning, and promoting an accountable, mission-focusedenvironment. Directs strategic improvements to HOPPs processes, SOPs, readiness models, communication pathways, project management practices, facility transition frameworks, special mission support, performance measures, after-action reviews, and corrective actions. Develops repeatable frameworks for facility transitions and special missions, and oversee high-priority projects, performance measures, after-action reviews, and corrective actions. Represents HOPPs in coordination with IHSC, ICE, ERO, DHS, USPHS, facility leaders, contractors, vendors, and other mission partners. Supervises planning and coordination for medical equipment, supplies, furnishings, resources, and support services. Ensures HOPPs operations comply with applicable requirements while directing risk mitigation, corrective actions, readiness reviews, and process improvements. Maintains readiness for emergency operations, surge missions, public health response, protective equipment planning, medical response initiatives, short-notice deployments, special missions, continuity planning, and emerging IHSC requirements. Oversees preparation of operational reports, executive summaries, decision papers, briefings, trackers, facility updates, transition plans, and after-action products to support situational awareness, senior leadership briefings, and accurate documentation of risks, decisions, and outcomes. Other Duties as Assigned: Performs other senior-level duties delegated by the Chief, HOPPs; Deputy Assistant Director for Health Systems Support; or other IHSC senior leadership consistent with the scope, responsibility, and authority of the position. SUPERVISORY AND DECISION-MAKING AUTHORITY The Deputy Chief directly supervises assigned HOPPs program analyst and program managers and may oversee personnel detailed or assigned to support facility transitions, special missions, readiness assessments, logistics operations, or emergency response activities. The Deputy Chief exercises delegated authority to guide daily operations, align resources, resolve operational barriers, and ensure timely mission execution. Responsibilities include: Assigns and redirects work based on mission priorities, operational requirements, staff capabilities, and urgent needs. Establishes performance expectations, reviews work products, ensures accountability for deadlines and deliverables and supports compliance with applicable requirements. Provides coaching, mentorship, professional development, and workforce development support. Conducts or contributes to performance evaluations and identifies training needs. Supports workforce planning, staffing recommendations, succession planning, and continuity of operations. Prioritizes HOPPs workload during competing demands and coordinates resources to meet time-sensitive operational requirements. Recommends or approves operational courses of action within delegated authority. Provides authoritative HOPPs input on facility transition readiness, logistics requirements, risk mitigation, and operational planning. Coordinates with senior stakeholders to resolve operational barriers and elevate issues requiring senior leadership decisions. Acts on behalf of the Chief during absences or when delegated by the Chief.