Immigration Services Officer

Job Summary

This position is located in the Field Operations Directorate, Office of Field Operations, District 12, Cleveland OH Field Office. As an Immigration Services Officer, you will be responsible for adjudicating complex applications and petitions for immigration benefits and providing assistance to other federal agencies in identifying those who pose a national security and public safety threat.

Key Responsibilities

• Grant or deny complex and highly sensitive applications and petitions for immigration benefits based on electronic or paper applications/petitions.
• Research, interpret and apply appropriate statutes, regulations, and precedent decisions to make adjudicative decisions.
• Interview applicants and petitioners to elicit statements, assess credibility, and analyze information to identify facts that form the basis for a decision concerning eligibility for immigration benefits.
• Conduct security checks and provide assistance to federal law enforcement agencies to identify individuals who are ineligible for immigration benefits due to national security, public safety, or other legal grounds.
• Use electronic systems to provide verification of any number of established data points to make adjudicative decisions, determine appropriate level of adjudicative review, and update databases with appropriate information and decisions.

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.
• 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.
• USCIS applies the Telework Enhancement Act of 2010 to its telework and remote work programs.

Working Conditions

This position is located in a field office and requires frequent travel to other offices and locations. The work is performed in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities and deadlines. The position requires the ability to work independently and as part of a team, with frequent interactions with other employees, applicants, and stakeholders. The work may be physically demanding, requiring prolonged periods of sitting, standing, and walking. The position requires the ability to work in a secure environment and maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must have one (1) year of specialized experience, which is equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the federal government, that equipped you with the skills needed to successfully perform the duties of the position. You must have experience performing the following duties:
• Examining, evaluating evidence, and analyzing immigration benefits documents received for authenticity;
• Researching, analyzing and applying appropriate immigration laws, policies and procedures;
• Adjudicating immigration benefits based on reviews of applications in coordination with policies.

OR

You may substitute a Master's degree or two (2) full years of graduate education leading to such a degree in any field, or a J.D. or L.L.B. degree for experience required at the GS-09 grade level. Such education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise two years of graduate education. If that information is not available, use 36 semester or 54 quarter hours.

GS-11: You qualify at the GS-11 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, which is equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the federal government, that equipped you with the skills needed to successfully perform the duties of the position. You must have experience performing the following duties:
• Making final determinations on non-sensitive, routine immigration matters related to the Immigration and Nationality Act, or representing applicants on non-sensitive, routine hearing or appeal requests involving immigration matters, that included determining applicant credibility, analyzing evidence, and applying statutory requirements, regulations, judicial and administrative precedents.
• OR

You may substitute a doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent degree) or three (3) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in any field, or L.L.M. if related for experience at the GS-11 grade level or such education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise three years of graduate study. If that information is not available, use 54 semester or 81 quarter hours.

GS-12: You qualify at the GS-12 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, which is equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the federal government, that equipped you with the skills needed to successfully perform the duties of the position. You must have experience performing the following duties:
• Making final determinations on sensitive, complex immigration cases involving eligibility for citizenship and immigration benefits, or preparing legal briefs or other written memoranda that advocate for a determination in complex hearing or appeal cases;
• Writing final determinations with legal analysis to support decisions;
• Independently analyzing immigration laws, policies, and precedent decisions.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 10/31/2024 to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:

1. 
   • To begin the application process, click the Apply Online.
   • Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
   • Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on 10/31/2024.
   

Agency Contact Information

HROC Staffing Help Desk
Phone:
Email:

Next Steps

Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the selecting official for further consideration and a possible interview. Your status will be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on Track this Application. We expect to make a final job offer within 90 days after the deadline for applications. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.

Telework: USCIS provides telework opportunities for eligible employees serving in positions approved to work at an alternate work site in accordance with agency policy. Teleworkers are required to work at the official worksite at least two days during each bi-weekly pay period. Teleworkers are expected to work during dismissals and closures or request leave. THIS IS NOT A REMOTE POSITION. You will be expected to report for work at a USCIS facility based on the needs of the hiring office. If you are currently on an approved remote agreement, once you EOD into this position, your remote agreement will be terminated.

USCIS may fill one or more positions using this vacancy.

Additional information pertaining to your interest and availability for this position may be needed after the closing date of the job opportunity announcement; therefore, a timely response to these requests must be adhered to in order to remain in consideration.

Due weight will be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards in merit promotion selection decisions in accordance with 5 CFR b)(3).

Conditions of Employment Reminder: If you fail to meet the conditions of employment or any other pre-employment requirements, such as missing any of the scheduled appointments, the hiring agency may rescind their tentative offer of employment.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Fair & Transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

• 
  • Criminal history inquiries
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Financial suitability
  • New employee probationary period
  • Privacy Act
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Selective Service
  • Signature and false statements
  • Social security number request
  

---