Asylum Officer with Visa Sponsored

Summary

This announcement will be open until November 29, 2024, or until all the jobs are filled. It will be used to hire for both current and future positions in the agency. There might be several deadlines for applications, with the first one being 5 business days after the announcement starts. More deadlines may be set if needed, or until all the jobs are filled. There is no guarantee of when or if your application will be reviewed or considered.

Duties

These responsibilities are for fully trained and experienced staff. For those still learning the job, tasks will be simpler, with less independence and complexity.

• Deciding on complicated and sensitive asylum applications, and conducting fear screenings.
• Reviewing applications and evidence, interviewing people, doing security checks, and researching information from various sources, including the Refugee, Asylum and International Operations Directorate, the Department of State, and others.
• Understanding and applying the right policies, regulations, laws, and past decisions to decide if someone is eligible for asylum.
• Writing detailed decisions for asylum cases, including NACARA, credible fear, and reasonable fear cases.
• Building and maintaining relationships with federal agencies, non-governmental organizations, and private sector groups involved in asylum matters.

The Asylum Division at USCIS interviews people seeking asylum to determine if they qualify for protection in the U.S. because of fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, social group, or political opinion. This is done while ensuring national security, preventing fraud, and maintaining the integrity of the immigration system through careful screening, thorough interviews, and well-informed decisions. Asylum Officers play a crucial role in changing lives and upholding the integrity of the immigration system.

Ideal candidates for Asylum Officer positions should have strong speaking, writing, interpersonal, and analytical skills, and be dedicated to following and enforcing laws and regulations.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply.
• You need to pass a background check and financial disclosure.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with the Selective Service.
• You might have to serve a one-year probationary period.
• You must pass a drug test.
• Federal employees must have their salary paid by direct deposit.
• Incentives may be available, depending on funds.
• This job is part of a bargaining unit.
• USCIS uses E-Verify to confirm work eligibility. Learn more about E-Verify here.
• Political appointees might need OPM approval before starting.
• This position is not considered essential for reporting to work if the facility is closed.
• Residency Requirement: If you are not already a USCIS employee, you must have lived in the U.S. for three of the last five years, worked for the U.S. government abroad, or been a dependent of a U.S. federal or military employee stationed overseas.

Training

• You must attend and complete the paid RAIO Combined Training course and Division-specific courses at a USCIS facility. This training may last up to nine weeks (six weeks residential and three weeks online).
• You must also complete the paid BASIC Immigration Officer training program, which lasts six weeks. Failure to complete the training successfully can lead to reassignment, demotion, or separation from the position.

Qualifications

For GS-7 Level:

• Specialized Experience: One year of full-time work experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, including analyzing information or performing research.
• Education: One year of full-time graduate education or 18 semester/27 quarter hours.
• Combination of Education and Experience: A mix of education and experience that adds up to 100%.
• Superior Academic Achievement (SAA): A GPA of 3.0 or higher, or being in the top one-third of your class, or membership in a national honor society.

For GS-9 Level:

• Specialized Experience: One year of full-time work experience at the GS-7 level or equivalent, including assisting with immigration benefits or applying immigration laws.
• Education: A Master’s degree, or two years of graduate education, or a J.D. or L.L.B degree.
• Combination of Education and Experience: A mix of education and experience that adds up to 100%.

For GS-11 Level:

• Specialized Experience: One year of full-time work experience at the GS-9 level or equivalent, including recommending decisions or preparing legal analysis.
• Education: A Doctoral degree or three years of graduate education, or an L.L.M if related.
• Combination of Education and Experience: A mix of education and experience that adds up to 100%.

For GS-12 Level:

• Specialized Experience: One year of full-time work experience at the GS-11 level or equivalent, including making final determinations on complex cases or preparing legal analysis.

Additional Information

• Background Investigation: You must pass a background check, which may include reviewing financial issues and criminal history.
• Drug Testing: This position may require random drug testing. A positive result or refusal can lead to disciplinary action.
• Retirees: If you are a retired federal employee, your salary may be reduced by your annuity.
• Locations:
  • Newark: You may work in both Newark and Manhattan, with convenient public transportation between the two.
  • San Francisco: You may work in both San Francisco and Oakland, with public transportation available.
• Travel: Frequent travel is required, including visits to distant locations and possibly other USCIS offices or detention facilities.

How You Will Be Evaluated

Your application will be reviewed based on how well you meet the qualifications listed for the job.

Veterans’ preference and category rating do not apply because of Direct Hire Authority.

Important Points:

• Your resume must clearly show your qualifications, including education, experience, and training.
• Ensure your resume is complete and submitted as part of your online application.
• Errors or missing information in your resume or application could affect your consideration for the job.

Additional Steps:

• You might be referred to the hiring manager and contacted for an interview.
• If selected, you might need to complete a writing sample or other exercises as part of the interview process. You’ll be contacted with further instructions if this is required.
• Overstating your qualifications can lead to removal from consideration.

Required Documents: To apply, submit a complete application package that includes:

1. Resume:
   • Your resume must show that you meet the job qualifications.
   • USCIS will only review the first 5 pages of your resume. To ensure all necessary information is included, save and submit your resume as a PDF.
   • The job questionnaire responses do not need to be attached separately.
2. Other Documents (if applicable):
   • Education: If qualifying based on education, submit an unofficial transcript or a list of coursework. The transcript must include your name and educational institution. An official transcript will be required if selected.
   • CTAP/ICTAP Eligibility: If claiming priority selection rights, submit:
     • RIF separation notice or similar document.
     • SF-50 showing your RIF separation or other relevant status.
     • Latest performance appraisal.
     • Documentation of current promotion potential.

Important Information:

• Your resume must include all relevant details such as job titles, duties, employer’s name, start and end dates, and hours worked per week.
• If you are using federal experience to qualify, list the grade levels and duration of each federal job.
• For education, only degrees from accredited institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education will be considered.

How to Apply:

1. Apply Online:
   • Click “Apply for job” to start your application.
   • Complete the online questions and attach all required documents.
   • Click “Submit Application” before the deadline of 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date.
2. Updating Your Application:
   • You can update your application through your USAJOBS account during the announcement period.
   • After the announcement closes, you won’t be able to update your application.

Check Your Application Status:

• Log into your USAJOBS account to check the status of your application.
• The status will show the date your application was last updated. For details on status meanings, visit the USAJOBS help page.

Important:

• Apply online if possible. If you need to apply by mail, contact the Human Resource Office at least one business day before the closing date for instructions. Mail-in applications are not accepted.