IMMIGRATION SERVICES OFFICER

Department of Homeland Security  1,730 reviews - Hartford, CT
$36,415 - $58,644 a year - Full-time, Part-time

About the Agency 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 here for more information. 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 $36,415 GS-05, Step 1 grade level, to $58,644 GS-07, Step 10 grade level, with promotion potential $71,731 GS-09, Step 10 grade level. Apply for this exciting opportunity to become a member of the Field Operations Directorate, Office of Field Operations, District 2, Hartford CT Field Office, Hartford, CT within U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. For definitions of terms found in this announcement, please click here . 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. Note: USCIS may fill one or more positions using this vacancy. Duties 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. As a 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. As an Immigration Services Officer, you may serve as the Congressional Liaison Officer. You will: Draft, review, revise and issue written and oral responses to congressional inquiries within prescribed time frames. Develop and maintain liaison with Congressional staff on a variety of immigration-related issues. Interpret and apply technical guidelines and provide advisory services to Congressional staff on specific cases or policy matters. Travel Required Occasional Travel You may be expected to travel for this position. Relocation Authorized No Who May Apply This job is open to… All U.S. Citizens. Questions? This job is open to 1 group. 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 drug screening. Meet relevant experience and/or education requirements. Current Federal employees must meet Time-in-Grade requirements. Males born after 12/31/1959 must be regiestered 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) Start and end dates for each grade/pay level if you've held a federal position. 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 the above 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. COMBINING QUALIFYING EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: If you do not qualify based on experience or education alone, you may be able to qualify based on a combination of your experience and education. For more information on combining education and experience, visit the following website: General Schedule Qualification Standards . Probationary Period: You may be required to serve a probationary period of 1 year. Training: If you have not already done so, you will be required to attend a residential USCIS Officer training course. This technical training must be successfully completed according to the standards of the agency. Failure to do so will be grounds for mandatory removal from the position. Such failure will result in either reassignment to a different position, demotion or separation by appropriate procedures. The qualifications for this position must be met by 11:59pm (Eastern Time) on the closing date of this announcement 07/10/2017. Residency Requirement: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This residency requirement states that candidates must have, for three of the last five years immediately prior to applying for this position; (1) resided in the United States; OR (2) worked for the United States Government as an employee overseas in a Federal or Military capacity, OR (3) been a dependent of a U.S. Federal or Military employee serving overseas. Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.  Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change. 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.  Security Clearance Public Trust - Background Investigation Additional Information Additional Information What To Expect Next 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. We will notify you by email at various stages in the process ( learn more ). Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information." 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. BENEFITS Review our benefits Other Information DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include: flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more. Background Investigation  To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, this position requires completion and adjudication of a background investigation. This may include a review of financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. The background investigation process is initiated after a selection is made. For more information visit the OPM Myth Buster Page . If a SECRET or TOP SECRET clearance is needed, all selected candidates must meet the requirements for these clearances prior to placement AND maintain that level of clearance while encumbering the position. Special Hiring Authorities  Veterans , Peace Corps / VISTA volunteers , Schedule A : You possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility and to understand the documentation that would be required with your application, click on the links above and contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement. We encourage you to apply to USCIS vacancies using these special hiring authorities. USCIS uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify . This job originated on www.usajobs.gov . For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/472510100 . Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered. usajobs.gov - 5 days ago - save job  - original job » View or apply to job