Immigration agency widens tech exec search

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services needs to fill two newly announced IT positions, and officials are looking for candidates in the Washington area and West Coast IT havens such as the San Francisco Bay area, according to the agency's top IT official.

Given their increasing reliance on iterative design and technology development, USCIS officials decided they wanted two deputy IT managers to oversee transformational efforts and everyday IT operations.

In an interview with FCW, CIO Mark Schwartz said the positions require people with a go-getter personality and some technical know-how. Since posting the openings on USAJobs.gov on Feb. 1, the agency has also posted ads in such diverse places as Craigslist's San Francisco site and LinkedIn and is spreading the word among its technology contacts, he added.

The deputy CIO position requires someone "who can make things happen" and remove obstacles to the IT department's day-to-day activities, he said, while the chief technology officer will need a detailed grasp of new technology and trends and an ability to communicate those developments to others.

Schwartz said he is aware that high-tech IT candidates are in hot demand from industry as well as other government agencies. However, he added that the government's main draw for idealistic, talented IT workers is the opportunity to make a difference.

Furthermore, immigration is a hot topic among presidential candidates, and USCIS' important role in the country's immigration efforts might make it even more appealing to certain IT professionals.

Schwartz said he is seeking flexibility in the lengthy federal hiring process and has consulted with the General Services Administration's 18F and U.S. Digital Service on how USCIS might speed the onboarding process once officials are ready to hire.