Immigration Services Assistant (OA)

Department of Homeland Security - Citizenship and Immigration Services · Multiple Locations

Company

Department of Homeland Security - Citizenship and Immigration Services

Location

Multiple Locations

Type

Full Time

Job Description

This position is located in Field Operations Directorate.

As an Immigration Services Assistant (OA), you will support the Adjudication Services Process by assisting Immigration Services Officers, manage fi les, databases, and correspondence, provide security checks, research, and analyze data, prepare reports and provide direct service to customers.

Learn more about this agency

Conditions of Employment

Conditions of Employment:

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

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.

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.

Probationary Period: You may be required to serve a probationary period of 1 year.

Typing Certification: Applicants must be able to type at least 40 words per minute. You can self-certify by submitting a statement that you can type this speed.

General Office Skills: Applicants must possess knowledge of general office automation software, practices, and procedures.

Physical Demands: Applicants must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.

Qualifications

Time in Grade does not apply to Delegated Examining Announcements, any reference to Time in Grade in the questionnaire will not apply to the rating and ranking of applicants.

This announcement is issued under the Direct Hire Authority to recruit for positions for which the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, has a critical hiring need.

GS-05: You qualify at the GS-05 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-04 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 office automation duties using word processing to edit and reformat correspondence and reports.
Creating and maintaining spreadsheets/databases.
Responding to inquiries by phone and/or in writing.
Reviewing and verifying accuracy and completeness of submitted documents for benefits. OR
You may substitute successful completion of four (4) years of education above high school for the experience required at the GS-5 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. Appropriate combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience also may be used to meet the total qualification requirements for the GS-5 grade level.

GS-06: In addition to the requirements at the lower grade level(s), you qualify at the GS-06 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 office automation duties requiring different approaches and methods from one assignment to another.
Reviewing and screening applications for benefits to ensure validity of documentation submitted.
Providing routine information and assistance on applications for benefits.
Maintaining subject matter files, technical instructions, and/or operating procedures.

GS-07: In addition to the requirements at the lower grade level(s), you qualify at the GS-07 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-06 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:

Analyzing and evaluating cases where expedited screening or resolution of requests for immigration benefits is necessary.
Determining whether requests for immigration benefits sought are valid and whether applicant is eligible.
Reviewing and screening applications for immigration benefits to ensure validity of documentation submitted and completeness of supporting documentation.
Preparing a variety of reports utilizing a number of software applications and retrieving information from other software systems (e.g., databases, spreadsheets, graphics, and word processing).

Please read the following important information to ensure you submit everything we need to consider your application: Your resume will be used to determine your qualifications for the position advertised in this announcement. Therefore, your resume must highlight your most relevant, significant experience related to the requirements found in the qualification section of this announcement, as well as any applicable education. USCIS will only review the first 5 pages of your resume to determine your initial eligibility/qualifications for a position. As such, please be sure to include content to support your eligibility/qualifications for this position within the first 5 pages. Please note that your full resume will be made available to the hiring manager if you are referred. Be clear and specific when describing your work history since human resources cannot make assumptions regarding your experience.

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.

Note: Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.

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.

Education

EDUCATIONAL SUBSTITUTION: There is no educational substitution at the GS-06 and GS07 grade levels.

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. Transcript required: If you don't submit a transcript, we will not use your education when deciding if you're qualified for the job. For verification purposes, the transcript submitted must include your name and educational institution.

Additional information

Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass 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 Mythbuster Page.

If a SECRET or TOP SECRET clearance is needed or the position is designated a Sensitive National Security position, all selected candidates must meet the requirements for these clearances or Sensitive National Security position prior to placement AND maintain that level of clearance or national security eligibility while encumbering the position.

USCIS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.

It is our responsibility to eliminate any risks to national security, public health, and public safety that could be posed by individuals who use illegal drugs. This position may be subject to random testing as a condition of employment. A positive drug test or refusal to be tested will result in disciplinary action, up to and including removal from Federal service.

Note: If you previously retired from the Federal service and are receiving an annuity, your salary may be offset by the amount of your annuity.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.