Immigration Services Officer (2024)

Department of Homeland Security

Citizenship and Immigration Services

Field Operations Directorate, Office of Field Operations, Central Region, C31, C32, C33, C34.

Apply

Print

Save

Summary

These positions are located in Field Operations Directorate, Office of Field Operations, Districts C31, C32, C33, and C34 Field Offices.

As an Immigration Services Officer, you will independently research, interpret and analyze an extensive spectrum of sources in order to accurately adjudicate immigration benefits and petitions.

Learn more about this agency

Help

Overview

  • Accepting applications
  • Open & closing dates

    05/24/2024 to 05/28/2024

  • Salary

    $33,878 - $54,557 per year

    The actual salary will be set based on the grade, step, and your location, see the "How To Apply" section of the announcement for details.

  • Pay scale & grade

    GS 5 - 7

  • Help

    Locations

    • Phoenix, AZ
    • Tucson, AZ
    • Denver, CO
    • Des Moines, IA
    • Show more locations (18)
  • Remote job

    No

  • Telework eligible

    Yes—as determined by the agency policy.

  • Travel Required

    Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

  • Relocation expenses reimbursed

    No

  • Appointment type

    Permanent

  • Work schedule

    Full-time

  • Service

    Competitive

  • Promotion potential

    9

  • Job family (Series)

    1801 General Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement, And Compliance Series

  • Supervisory status

    No

  • Security clearance

    Not Required

  • Drug test

    Yes

  • Position sensitivity and risk

    Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk

  • Trust determination process

    Credentialing

    Suitability/Fitness

    National security

  • Announcement number

    12407752-CROHQ-DE-24

  • Control number

    792522200

Help

This job is open to

  • Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL) Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
  • The public U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens

Help

Duties

  • The responsibilities 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.
  • Grant or deny applications and petitions for immigration benefits and determine appropriate level of adjudicative review and update databases with appropriate information and decisions.
  • Research and interpret sources including immigration laws and regulations, operating instructions, legislative history, precedent decisions, state and local laws, and international treaties to determine adjudicative decision.
  • Gather information using a variety of methods including document review, electronic systems checks, interviews, etc. to make adjudicative decisions on immigration benefit applications/petitions.
  • Process electronic or paper applications and petitions for immigration benefits using available electronic systems to verify numerous established data points.
  • Provide direct assistance to personnel/officials of other Federal agencies in identifying individuals who pose a threat to national/public security.
  • Conduct security checks in accordance with all applicable DHS/USCIS laws and policies.
  • Provide applicant/petitioner/beneficiary support including liaison with internal and external stakeholders, problem resolution, and in-person services.

Help

Requirements

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.

Qualifications

The qualifications for this position must be met by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on 05/28/2024.

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.

GS-05: You qualify at the GS-05 level if you possess three (3) years of progressively responsible experience, one (1) 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;
  • Planning and organizing work to ensure timely completion;
  • Communicating clearly, both orally and in writing and providing excellent customer service.

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, evaluating evidence and drafting appropriate correspondence;
  • Ensuring required supporting documentation is included in application package(s) and applying necessary immigration laws, policies and procedures;
  • Reviewing immigration benefit applications to determine adjudicative decision.

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 you submit everything we need to consider your application: It is your responsibility to ensure that you submit your responses and appropriate documentation prior to 05/28/2024

.

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. Your application will be rated and ranked 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.

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

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.

Training: If you have not already done so, you will be required to attend and complete a USCIS Officer training course. This is typically provided through a blended approach of virtual instruction followed by in-residence instruction at a training venue. 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.

Additional information

Read more

  • Help

    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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated for this position and placed in one of the three categories below based upon information reflected in your resume. Your resume must support your responses to the job specific assessment questionnaires https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12407752

,

level of education claimed, experience, and/or training. To remain in consideration for this position, please ensure your resume covers this requirement and that your resume has been successfully submitted as part of your on-line application package.

  • Best-Qualified: Applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a superior level of all evaluation criteria.
  • Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a satisfactory level of the evaluation criteria.
  • Qualified: Applicants possessing the basic qualifications, with general knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Creation of this package includes completing the on-line assessment(s), uploading your resume, and uploading any required supporting documents. (See the "How To Apply" section of this announcement.)

NOTE: Your resume and supporting documentation will be verified. If you rated yourself higher than what is supported by your application material, you may be excluded from consideration for this job. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

If you are found best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be contacted for an interview.

The assessment for this job will measure the following competencies:

  • Educational Experience (ACWA)
  • Mathematical Skills (ACWA)
  • Rating (ACWA)
  • Social Organizations (ACWA)
  • Work Experience (ACWA)

Veterans: Qualified Veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the best-qualified category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level, or higher. (This position is not considered scientific/professional.) Other 10-point preference eligibles and veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligibles within the category in which they qualify. View information on veterans' preference.

Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligible:If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP/ICTAP eligible. View information about CTAP or ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified under CTAP/ ICTAP, you must be placed in the Well-Qualified category for this position, as described above. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this job announcement.

Note: Applicants who are referred to the hiring office for selection consideration may be required to complete a writing sample and/or other writing exercise as part of the interview/selection process. If the hiring office decides to request a writing sample and/or other writing exercise as part of its selection process, a designated contractor or Agency representative will contact you to: (1) inform you of this requirement; and (2) provide further instructions.

  • Help

    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.

  • As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

    Resume: You must submit a resume that clearly demonstrates you have experience that meets the requirements of this position as outlined in the "Qualifications" section. USCIS' Human Resources Office will only review the first 5 pages of your resume to determine your eligibility/qualifications.

    In order to ensure that you include all necessary information within the first 5 pages of your resume, you are highly encouraged to save and submit your resume as a PDF instead of submitting it through Resume Builder or a word-processing program such as Word or Google Docs.

    Your responses to the job questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12407752, which are submitted through the on-line application process in USAJOBS, DO NOT need to be attached as an additional document to your application.

    Are you qualifying based on education? Submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable) from an accredited institution. Once selected and prior to appointment, applicants must provide an official college transcript. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. Your foreign education accreditation must come from an evaluation service that is endorsed by the Association of International Credential Evaluators or the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. Failure to provide foreign accreditation from one of these organizations will result in removal from consideration.

    Are you a veteran? You must provide acceptable documentation of your preference or appointment eligibility. The member 4 copy of your DD214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," is preferable. If claiming 10 point preference, you will need to submit a Standard Form (SF-15), "Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference." If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the date on the certification. This must indicate your dates of service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions. View more veterans' information.

    Are you a current or former Federal employee? Submit a copy of your official SF-50* (no text version) or other official "Notification of Personnel Action" document that shows the following information:

    • your appointment in the competitive service
    • tenure
    • grade and step
    • full performance level

    Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP)? Submit:

    • a copy of your agency notice,
    • a copy of your most recent performance rating, and
    • a copy of your most recent SF-50*, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level, and duty location.

    Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50*, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:

    • Position Title
    • Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee)
    • Agency
    • Beginning and ending dates of appointment

    * A General Adjustment, Detail, Any Award (Cash, Time Off, Performance, etc.) or Realignment SF-50 may NOT have the information needed.

    If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

    Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

    Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

  • Agency contact information

    HROC Staffing Help Desk

    Phone

    952-697-8380

    Email

    HROCStaffingHelpDesk@uscis.dhs.gov

    Learn more about this agency

    Next steps

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

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

Help

Required Documents

Resume: You must submit a resume that clearly demonstrates you have experience that meets the requirements of this position as outlined in the "Qualifications" section. USCIS' Human Resources Office will only review the first 5 pages of your resume to determine your eligibility/qualifications.

In order to ensure that you include all necessary information within the first 5 pages of your resume, you are highly encouraged to save and submit your resume as a PDF instead of submitting it through Resume Builder or a word-processing program such as Word or Google Docs.

Your responses to the job questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12407752, which are submitted through the on-line application process in USAJOBS, DO NOT need to be attached as an additional document to your application.

Are you qualifying based on education? Submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable) from an accredited institution. Once selected and prior to appointment, applicants must provide an official college transcript. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. Your foreign education accreditation must come from an evaluation service that is endorsed by the Association of International Credential Evaluators or the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. Failure to provide foreign accreditation from one of these organizations will result in removal from consideration.

Are you a veteran? You must provide acceptable documentation of your preference or appointment eligibility. The member 4 copy of your DD214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," is preferable. If claiming 10 point preference, you will need to submit a Standard Form (SF-15), "Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference." If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the date on the certification. This must indicate your dates of service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions. View more veterans' information.

Are you a current or former Federal employee? Submit a copy of your official SF-50* (no text version) or other official "Notification of Personnel Action" document that shows the following information:

  • your appointment in the competitive service
  • tenure
  • grade and step
  • full performance level

Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP)? Submit:

  • a copy of your agency notice,
  • a copy of your most recent performance rating, and
  • a copy of your most recent SF-50*, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level, and duty location.

Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50*, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:

  • Position Title
  • Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee)
  • Agency
  • Beginning and ending dates of appointment

* A General Adjustment, Detail, Any Award (Cash, Time Off, Performance, etc.) or Realignment SF-50 may NOT have the information needed.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

Help

How to Apply

Read more

Agency contact information

HROC Staffing Help Desk

Phone

952-697-8380

Email

HROCStaffingHelpDesk@uscis.dhs.gov

Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Read more

Fair & Transparent

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

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

This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/792522200. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.

Immigration Services Officer (2024)

FAQs

What not to say in an immigration interview? ›

Do not go off on tangents or tell your life story. Only answer the question that is being asked and do not provide more details than necessary. Remember, the immigration officer is doing many interviews a day, and you do not want to annoy them.

What does an immigration service officer do? ›

Immigration Services Officer - Grant or deny immigration applications and petitions efficiently and fairly and assist other federal agencies in identifying individuals who pose a threat to national security and public safety.

How long is immigration service officer training? ›

ICE-D is a 13-week Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) integrated basic training program that consists of both FLETC training and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) training. FLETC training includes three written examinations.

What is the best answer to an immigration interview? ›

Being honest is always the best approach in your immigration interview. If you are asked a question you do not know the answer to, do not try to just make something up. It is a better answer to say “I am not sure” than to take a stab at what you think the correct answer is.

What do immigration officers look for? ›

Additional Information an Officer Can Get About You

If an officer believes there is a reason to get even more information about you, they may be able to get: Any criminal history you have. Your citizenship status. Employment information.

Is immigration interview hard? ›

The level of difficulty of the green card interview varies depending on the facts, circ*mstances, and history of each case. Superior preparation is the best way to make the interview go as favorably and seamlessly as possible.

What is the duty of an immigration officer? ›

Day-to-day tasks

watch people and check documents and visas in passport control areas. interview people to check they are entitled to stay. arrange for people to go back to the country they came from. organise places in holding centres, for example for people claiming asylum.

What is the difference between customs officer and immigration officer? ›

What is the difference between customs and immigration? “Immigration” is about the people traveling from one country to another. It's sometimes called “passport control” or “border control” depending on the airport. “Customs” is about the stuff those people are carrying with them.

Is it possible to speak with an immigration officer? ›

To speak to a live person at USCIS, call their toll-free phone number at 1-800-375-5283.

Is immigration officer a good career? ›

Immigration Services Officer employees have rated US Citizenship and Immigration Services with 3.5 out of 5 stars, based on 153 company reviews on Glassdoor. This indicates that most Immigration Services Officer professionals have a good working experience there.

What degree is needed for immigration officer? ›

While not always mandatory, many immigration officers hold a bachelor's degree. Criminal justice, international studies or law, political science, and a foreign language are popular fields of study. Some roles require a master's degree in similar areas.

How are USCIS officers trained? ›

All Asylum Officers are required to receive extensive training on U.S. asylum and immigration law. Trainings may last multiple weeks and may be held in-person or virtually. Asylum Officers must achieve a minimum cumulative score of 70% on course exams.

What is illegal to say in an interview? ›

We recommend that you avoid asking applicants about personal characteristics that are protected by law, such as race, color, religion, sex, national origin or age.

What words should you avoid during visa interview? ›

What words should you avoid during your visa interview? Avoid using conversational fillers during your F1 visa interview. Words like umm, like, I guess can be avoided if you prepare short, to-the-point answers beforehand. It will also give you more time to convey relevant information to your interview instead of fluff.

Is there anything you should not say during an interview? ›

Negative comments about your previous employer

Bad mouthing a past employer can be a red flag for interviewers. It suggests you might be difficult to work with or that you'll speak poorly of this company in the future.

What should I say in an immigration interview? ›

Answer all questions fully, succinctly, and truthfully, but do not volunteer information unless asked. If you're unsure of the answer or do not understand a question, you should always say so rather than guess.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Tyson Zemlak

Last Updated:

Views: 6756

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (43 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Tyson Zemlak

Birthday: 1992-03-17

Address: Apt. 662 96191 Quigley Dam, Kubview, MA 42013

Phone: +441678032891

Job: Community-Services Orchestrator

Hobby: Coffee roasting, Calligraphy, Metalworking, Fashion, Vehicle restoration, Shopping, Photography

Introduction: My name is Tyson Zemlak, I am a excited, light, sparkling, super, open, fair, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.