The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is calling on those who want to help protect American interests and secure our Nation. DHS Components work collectively to prevent terrorism; secure borders and our transportation systems; protect the President and other dignitaries; enforce and administer immigration laws; safeguard cyberspace; and ensure resilience to disasters. We achieve these vital missions through a diverse workforce spanning hundreds of occupations. Make an impact; join DHS.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services secures America’s promise as a nation of immigrants by providing accurate and useful information to our customers, granting immigration and citizenship benefits, promoting an awareness and understanding of citizenship, and ensuring the integrity of our immigration system. Visit us at
https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/careers/life-uscis.
Every day, our Immigration Services Officers independently research, interpret and analyze an extensive spectrum of sources in order to accurately adjudicate immigration benefits and petitions. This position of IMMIGRATION SERVICES OFFICER starts at a salary of $35,265.00(GS-05 step 1), to $56,790.00 (GS-07 step 10) with full promotion potention to GS-09, Step 10 $69,460.00. Apply for this exciting opportunity to become a member of the Service Center Operations Directorate, Potomac Service Center, in Arlington, VA or Washington, DC within U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
For definitions of terms found in this announcement, please click here
SHIFT WORK: is position may be subject to shift work, shift differential may apply.
This position is in the bargaining unit.
This position is not considered “essential” for purposes of reporting to work when the facility might otherwise be closed.
Relocation expenses are authorized if you are assigned to the RAIO program and have been approved for rotation from an overseas assignment. Relocation expenses for employees assigned to an OCONUS location will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Note: USCIS may fill one or more positions using this vacancy.
Duties
As an Immigration Services Officer, you will:
Research and interpret an extensive spectrum of sources including: immigration laws and regulations, operating instructions, legislative history, precedent decisions, state and local laws, international treaties and other legal references in order to follow the correct course of action. Process immigration applications and petitions using available electronic systems to verify numerous established data points.
Provide direct and continuing assistance to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel, and officials of other Federal agencies, in identifying individuals who pose a threat to national security and public safety
Interview applicants and petitioners to elicit statements in order to assess credibility to determine the applicant’s eligibility for specific benefits sought.
Answer general and case-specific immigration questions at USCIS information rooms—which are open to the public.
The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence, and limited complexity.
Travel Required
Not Required
Relocation Authorized
No
Job Requirements
Job Requirements
Key Requirements
You must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National to apply for this position
Successfully pass a Background Investigation including financial disclosure
You must pass a drug screening
Meet relevant experience and/or education requirements
You must submit resume and supporting documentation
Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with the Selective Service
Political appointees may require OPM approval before on-boarding.
Qualifications
GS-05: You qualify at the GS-05 level if you possess three (3) years of progressively responsible experience, one year of which was experience equivalent to the GS-04 grade level, which has equipped you with the skills needed to successfully perform the duties of the position. You must have experience performing the following duties:
Analyzing problems, gathering pertinent data and recognizing solutions; methodically planning and organizing work to ensure timely completion; communicating clearly, both orally and in writing and providing excellent customer service in person-to-person situations. Such experience may have been gained in administrative, professional, technical, investigative, or other responsible work. Experience in substantive and relevant secretarial, clerical or other responsible work is qualifying if it provided evidence of the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the duties of this position. Experience of a general clerical nature (typing, filing, routine procedural processing, maintaining records or other non-specialized tasks) is not creditable. OR
You may substitute successful completion of a Bachelor’s degree or a full 4-year course of study in any field leading to a Bachelor’s degree for the experience required at the GS-05 grade level. This education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university. One year of full-time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester or 45 quarter hours.
GS-07: In addition to the requirements at the lower grade level, you qualify at the GS-07 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-05 level in the federal government, which has equipped you with the skills needed to successfully perform the duties of the position. You must have experience performing the following duties:
Performing preliminary examinations of applications and petitions for immigration benefits; ensuring required supporting documentation is included in application package(s) and applying necessary immigration laws, policies and procedures. OR
You may substitute successful completion of one year of fulltime graduate education for the experience required at the GS-07 level. This education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university and demonstrate the skills necessary to do the work of the position. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise a year of graduate education. If that information is not available, use 18 semester or 27 quarter hours. OR
You may also substitute superior academic achievement for the experience required at the GS-07 level. You must have completed the requirements for a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale, class standing in the upper third of a graduating class or major subdivision or membership in a national scholastic honor society.
Please read the following IMPORTANT information to ensure we have everything we need to consider your application.
It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant work experience and education (if applicable), as it relates to this job opportunity. Please be clear and specific when describing your work history as we cannot make assumptions regarding your experience. Your application will also be rated and ranked among others, based on your responses to the online questions.
Please ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information:
Job Title (include series and grade if Federal Job)
Duties (be specific in describing your duties)
Employer’s name and address
Supervisor name and phone number
Start and end dates including month, day and year (e.g. June 18 2007 to April 05 2008)
Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
Salary
Determining length of General or Specialized Experience is dependent on the above information and failure to provide ALL of this information may result in a finding of ineligible.
Federal Experience: If you are using current or prior federal experience as a basis for qualifying for this position, the grade levels and length of employment (mm/dd/year) at each grade level must be listed in your work history. This information will be further validated if selected for this position.
National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build criteria competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer service. Please provide the dates and amount of time/hours worked earning this experience.
