Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services
Deputy Director for Conscience and Religious Freedom
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Summary
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 qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) 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 Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs). TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications. TQ 1: Demonstrated executive-level knowledge and experience in the development and administration of Federal conscience and religious freedom laws, regulations, policies, and programs within a complex, high-visibility national environment. Demonstrated executive-level knowledge and experience in investigative, compliance, and enforcement methodologies necessary to evaluate complex cases, determine legal compliance, and guide appropriate corrective actions. TQ 2: Demonstrated executive-level experience building strategic partnerships and leading collaboration across organizational and governmental boundaries to achieve mission objectives. Experience advising senior executives on complex and sensitive issues, influencing policy and program decisions, representing an organization in high-level interagency and external engagements, and fostering productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders to advance organizational priorities. EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements 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. There are five ECQs: 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 an 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, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES. Please DO NOT submit separate documents addressing the ECQs or MTQs.
Major Duties
ABOUT THE POSITION The Deputy Director serves as a senior executive and principal advisor to the OCR Director on all matters related to conscience and religious freedom. The incumbent is responsible for the national leadership, direction, and execution of OCR's conscience and religious freedom program, ensuring the consistent, lawful, and effective implementation of Federal statutes and regulations protecting conscience and religious freedom in HHS-conducted or HHS-funded programs and activities, as well as related Departmental policies. Provides executive leadership for OCR's national conscience and religious freedom program, with accountability for achieving measurable outcomes in enforcement, policy and regulatory development and implementation, and program performance. Leads priority enforcement initiatives within the conscience and religious freedom program, including coordination of high-impact investigations and compliance reviews. Ensures timely resolution of assigned conscience and religious freedom complaints to Conscience and Religious Freedom staff consistent with performance metrics and compliance standards. Implements enforcement and policy priorities established by the Secretary and OCR Director, in coordination with other OCR components, translating strategic direction into operational plans, program guidance, and performance expectations across OCR headquarters and field offices. Provides subject-matter leadership for outreach, public education, and technical assistance efforts, in coordination with field-based outreach conducted through the Enforcement Division, to promote awareness of and compliance with applicable laws and policies. Leads the development and implementation of program-specific tools, model templates, and guidance to support OCR's enforcement, policy, and outreach activities and promote consistency, efficiency, and quality in program execution. Identifies and designs conscience and religious freedom-specific training and technical guidance for OCR staff to support consistent implementation of program requirements. Collaborates with other OCR Deputy Directors to identify areas of overlap, ensure coordination, and integrate conscience and religious freedom activities with broader OCR programs and operations. Ensures the consistent and legally sound implementation of Federal conscience and religious freedom statutes, regulations, and policies, including that enforcement and policy activities achieve legal sufficiency and consistency in their application across OCR programs and regions. Oversees the development and execution of regulations, sub-regulatory guidance, and policy interpretations in alignment with governing legal authorities and Departmental priorities. Serves as the principal advisor to the OCR Director on complex and sensitive enforcement and policy matters. Advises senior leadership on risks related to inconsistent interpretation or application of Federal conscience and religious freedom laws and implements strategies to mitigate such risks. Directs program operations to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability. Works in collaboration with the Deputy Director of Enforcement on strategies for improving timely resolution of civil rights case backlogs, and for meeting CRF-specific OCR performance outcomes. Oversees the development and use of data systems, analytical tools, and performance metrics to identify national trends, assess program effectiveness, and improve operational processes. Ensures the integrity and maintenance of program data to support reporting requirements and inform decision-making. Collaborates with organizational leadership responsible for operations, resources, and performance management to ensure effective collection, analysis, and use of data to assess program efficiency and effectiveness.
Required Documents
A complete application includes items described below. Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible). Please carefully review the following list to determine what documentation you need to submit. Some documents may not apply to all applicants. 1. RESUME: All applicants are required to submit a resume limited to two (2) pages (i.e., 1 page that is double-sided or 2 pages that are one-sided each) showing all relevant experience. Applicants seeking initial career appointment to the Senior Executive Service (SES) must include evidence of the ECQs and TQs. PLEASE DO NOT USE USAJOBS RESUME BUILDER. 2. VACANCY QUESTION/ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSES: Responses are automatically submitted through USA Jobs when you apply to this vacancy. 3. ADDITIONAL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Applicants are required to submit the following supporting documentation if applicable: CURRENT OR FORMER SES MEMBERS: Must provide your SES appointment SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), and an SF-50 showing current career SES status or career SES reinstatement eligibility. SES CANDIDATE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (SESCDP) GRADUATES: Verification of successful completion of an OPM-approved SESCDP and OPM SES QRB certification. CURRENT FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEE: Must provide a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting you are a current Federal Civil Service employee. STRONGLY RECOMMENDED: Most recent performance evaluation.
How to Apply
You must submit the complete online application and documentation specified in the Required Documents by 11:59 PM (EST) on the CLOSING DATE 11/02/2026 of this 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 résumé 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.