Immigration Services Officer MANCHESTER, NH

Job Title:IMMIGRATION SERVICES OFFICER

Department:Department Of Homeland Security

Agency:Citizenship and Immigration Services

Job Announcement Number:CIS-1105734-MAN

$63,386.00 to $98,764.00 / Per YearFriday, May 02, 2014 to Monday, May 12, 20141 vacancy in the following location:
Manchester, NH
Employees of USCIS (Citizenship and Immigration Services) with competitive status.

Do you desire to protect American interests and secure our Nation while building a meaningful and rewarding career? If so, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is calling. DHS components work collectively to prevent terrorism, secure borders, enforce and administer immigration laws, safeguard cyberspace and ensure resilience to disasters. The vitality and magnitude of this mission is achieved by 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 www.uscis.gov.

Every day, our Immigration Services Officers: grant or deny complex and highly sensitive applications and petitions for immigration benefits and provide assistance to other federal agencies in identifying individuals who pose a threat to national security/public safety. This position of IMMIGRATION SERVICES OFFICER starts at a salary of $63,386.00 (GS-11 step 1), to $98,764.00 (GS-12 step 10).  Apply for this exciting opportunity to become a member of the Field Operations Directorate, Office of Field Operations, District 01, Manchester Field Office, Manchester, NH 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.

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.

Occasional TravelSome travel may be required.You must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. National to apply for this positionSuccessfully pass a background investigation including financial disclosureYou must pass drug screeningMeet relevant experience and/or education requirements.Current Federal employees must meet Time-in-Grade requirementsMales born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with the Selective Service

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 an Immigration Services Officer, you will be responsible for the support of the Adjudication process by adjudicating cases, conducting security checks, interviewing applicants and petitioners, ensuring program quality assurance, conducting training, serving as liaison, and communicating decisions.  You will:

Grant or deny complex and highly sensitive applications and petitions for immigration benefits based on electronic or paper applications/petitions; Independently research, interpret and analyze an extensive spectrum of sources including pertinent sections of the law and regulations, operating instructions, references and guidance contained in legislative history, precedent decisions, state and local laws, international treaties and other legal references to embrace the correct course of action; Use available electronic systems to process applications and petitions through verification of any number of established data points to make adjudicative decisions and/or determine appropriate level of adjudicative review, and update databases with appropriate information and decisions; Conduct security checks in accordance with all applicable DHS/USCIS laws and policies; Provide direct and continuing assistance to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel and officials of other Federal agencies in identifying individuals who pose a threat to national/public security; Provides quality services to both internal and external customers, through effective liaison with individual attorneys or representatives, attorney groups, community-based organizations, congressional offices, international business groups, representatives of the news media and other government agencies and by writing well-organized, logical, often complex legal decisions, opinions, standard operating procedures, reports, evaluations, presentations, standard statements, and correspondence with an emphasis on the utilization of plain language to ensure maximum understanding of our customers. Identifies training needs and mentors newly trained officers while also planning, developing, scheduling and conducting training for existing Adjudications Officers. Interview applicants and petitioners to elicit statements and assess credibility, and analyze information gained to identify facts and considerations that form the basis for the determination as to the applicant's eligibility for specific benefits sought.

GS-11: You qualify at the GS-11 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-09 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:

Making final determinations on non-sensitive, routine immigration benefits. Determining applicant credibility, analyzing evidence. Applying statutory requirements, regulations and judicial and administrative precedents. OR You may substitute a doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent degree) or three 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: In addition to the requirements at the lower grade level(s), you qualify at the GS-12 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-11 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:

Making final determinations on complex immigration cases involving eligibility for citizenship and immigration benefits. Writing final determinations with legal analysis to support decision.

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:  http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/IORs/gs1800/1801a.htm

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

The qualifications for this position must be met by 11:59pm (Eastern Time) on the closing date of this announcement (Monday, May 12, 2014).

Current Federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the lower grade or equivalent grade band in the Federal service.  The Time-in-Grade requirement must be met by 11:59pm (Eastern Time) on the closing date of this announcement (Monday, May 12, 2014).

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.

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.

You will be evaluated for this position based upon information reflected in your resume.  Your resume must support your responses to the job specific assessment questionnaire, 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. 

The competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job are:

Teamwork / Customer Service Active Listening Behavioral Indicators Informational Management Legal Indicators Networking and Collaboration Project Management Rapport Building Reasoning Strategic Thinking Training Acumen Technology Awareness Written Communication

Creation of this package includes completing the on-line assessment questionnaire, uploading your resume, and uploading any required supporting documents.

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 called for an interview.  To preview the job questionnaire, click here View Assessment Questions. 

Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles:   If you have never worked for the Federal government, you are not CTAP/ICTAP eligible.   Information about ICTAP or CTAP eligibility can be found by clicking here to access OPM's Career Transition Resources website.   To be considered well qualified under CTAP/ ICTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 95  for this position.   In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement.

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.

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.

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 http://federalgovernmentjobs.us/redirect.html?url=104116116112058047047119119119046100104115046103111118047069045086101114105102121.

Your application must be received by 11:59PM EST on Monday, May 12, 2014.  To begin your online application, click the Apply Online button and follow the prompts to register or sign into USAJOBS, take the online questionnaire, and submit the required documents.  See Required Documents section for more detail. 

If you are a Federal employee and have received a current performance rating, it is strongly encouraged that a copy accompanies your application submission. Doing so allows the selecting official access to all information surrounding your potential to fulfill the duties and responsibilities commensurate of the position being considered for. Failure to provide may impede the selecting official's understanding of the qualifications and experience that you possess.

We strongly encourage you to apply online.  If you cannot apply online, you may FAX your resume, assessment questionnaire, and supporting documents to (478)757-3144. You must print a copy of OPM Form 1203-FX, document your responses to the assessment questionnaire View Occupational Questionnaire, and use the official FAX cover sheet found here.

If you do not have access to a computer or fax, you must contact the Human Resource office listed below at least one day prior to the closing date for instructions.  Applications will not be accepted by mail.

To Fax a Resume or Supporting Documents:

If you previously uploaded documents to this vacancy, please do not FAX the same documents. If you need to fax a part of your documentation:

Use the official FAX coversheet found here.Make sure that you include the 7-character vacancy identification number: "1105734”.  Provide your SSN, name, and address in the blocks provided or we will not be able to associate your document(s) with the rest of your application. Print your SSN and Name neatly using the exact name as the one used when you filled out the assessment questionnaire.The fax number is 1-478-757-3144.

Your resumé Are you qualifying based on education?  You must submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable).  For verification purposes, the transcript submitted must include your name.  Those with foreign education, click this link. 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 your appointment in the competitive service, your tenure and full performance level, in addition to your grade and step. SF-50B print screens from NFC are not official documents and are not acceptable. All current DHS employees can print their own SF-50's by accessing https://eopf.nbc.gov/dhs/logon.aspx. If you are a current CIS employee and need access information to eOPF, please contact eOPFHRBurlington@dhs.gov. For all other agencies please see your servicing Human Resources office.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

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.

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