Below is a guide to submitting an application, and information to help ensure that you meet all requirements for employment with ICE.
The application process for frontline positions is rigorous and challenging: it includes steps such as a background investigation, physical fitness test, and medical exam. It is recommended that you review the full position requirements before you apply to ensure you are prepared for what is to come.
Similarly, administrative, professional, and technical job applicants often have several steps in the application process. Make sure you carefully review the USAJOBS posting for the position to understand what is required.
Job announcements are posted at USAJOBS, a hiring portal for the U.S. government. If you are a member of the general public, the first step in applying for a position at ICE is to create a USAJOBS profile, and regularly search for ICE jobs that are listed as “Open to the public (all sources).” If you are a current federal employee, you can search USAJOBS for job announcements that are listed as “Merit promotion eligible candidates” or “Eligible for federal employees.” ICE is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to employ a diverse workforce that is both highly productive and effective.
Tip: Use the Saved Searches feature to have USAJOBS automatically search for jobs based on your search criteria and email you daily, weekly or monthly about new vacancies.
Apply for an opening
Applicants with current or prior federal work experience should submit a recent SF-50 with their application. Please ensure it shows grade, step, and salary.
Current or former members and veterans of the armed forces should include their DD-214 or Statement of Service letter with their application. Disabled veterans must also submit an SF-15 and/or a VA letter.
Thank you for taking time to apply for a position with ICE.
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 the outcome after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on your USAJOBS account throughout the process.
Following receipt of a tentative selection letter, you must complete pre-employment requirements. These requirements vary by position. All positions require security vetting and drug test. You may also be required to pass a medical exam, fitness exam and oral board interview. Security vetting takes an average of three months to complete, but the process can vary from two weeks to one year, depending on both the applicant’s history and the level of security vetting required for the position. For internal candidates, drug test is not required.
A tentative selection letter remains tentative until all pre-employment requirements are met for the position. Once you have cleared these requirements, then a firm job offer will be made.
Below are answers to common questions about emails received from the ICE Office of Human Capital. More detailed information about federal government hiring can be found on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management website.
Direct-hire authority allows federal agencies to hire individuals without using traditional rating, ranking, and selection procedures, including the application of veterans’ preference. Applicants must apply for direct-hire authority jobs through USAJOBS and meet any pre-employment requirements. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management approves direct-hire authority when an agency has a severe shortage of candidates or a critical hiring need. It can cover certain occupations and geographical locations.
Below are two sample Notice of Results (NOR) emails from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). The emails are sample responses to direct-hire authority applications for ICE Deportation Officer and Criminal Investigator positions. Review our helpful guide to understand what information is contained in the NOR email.
The main body of the message includes general language about why you are receiving the email and several disclaimers about the meaning of the message. OPM states:
Appointment Type: Lists if the position is Permanent or Temporary
Work Schedule: Lists if the position is Full-Time or Part-Time
Sent: 7/31/2018 17:28 EDT
The Notice of Results title which includes the position title, agency directorate and OPM code – a series of letters and numbers specific to the position.
Thank you for your interest in Federal employment with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
This notice is a record of your application for Federal employment you recently submitted to this office for the position below.
Lists job series number and title of position applied
Identifying number used by OPM to specify position
Same number found in the subject line; this number and the vacancy ID can be used to search the full position listing on USAJOBS
Locations where ICE may fill the position; same locations as the USAJOBS position listing
Tampa, Florida, Miami, Florida, San Diego, California, Houston, Texas, San Antonio, Texas, Phoenix, Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Honolulu, Hawaii, Los Angeles, California, District of Columbia, District of Columbia, Dallas, Texas, Seattle, Washington, San Francisco, California, Baltimore, Maryland, El Paso, Texas, Denver, Colorado, Boston, Massachusetts, Atlanta, Georgia, Chicago, Illinois, Detroit, Michigan, New Orleans, Louisiana, Saint Paul, Minnesota, New York, New York, Newark, New Jersey, and Buffalo, New York
This section of the letter provides a detailed code and explanation of ineligibility
You will receive or should have already received a system generated notification indicating that online assessments for this announcement are complete. That is an automatic notification that is sent to applicants that will not be sent to proctored testing.
If you have questions regarding this message, please use the contact information listed in the vacancy announcement.
PLEASE DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS EMAIL MESSAGE. IT IS AUTOMATICALLY GENERATED.
