Job Information
Citizenship and Immigration Services Supervisory Refugee Officer in Washington, District Of Columbia
Summary This position is located in the International & Refugee Affairs Division (IRAD), Refugee and International Operations office (RIO), District, Refugee Operations field unit. As a Supervisory Refugee Officer (Domestic), you will provide technical and administrative supervision to subordinates, plan work to be accomplished, serve as a liaison with government agencies, adjust priorities, prepare schedules, evaluate work performance, and maintain the immigration system. Responsibilities 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. Supervise individuals and teams of individuals who make adjudication determinations on applications for refugee status, asylum, and related humanitarian immigration benefit applications. Serve as Refugee Operations primary liaison with FDNS, task forces, external law enforcement and Intelligence Community partners. Conduct supervisory reviews to ensure that benefits and services are being granted appropriately and that an appropriate level of quality in interviewing, case write-ups, and out-processing is achieved and maintained. Prepare plans, reports, and analyses of refugee operations to include reviewing individual and program performance and taking action to ensure compliance with established requirements, goals, standards, and objectives. Review operations and policy and make recommendations to improve the consistency and effectiveness of adjudications. Advise and plan the work to be accomplished by subordinates based on priorities and difficulty of work assignments. 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 NOT 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. Supervisory/Managerial Probationary Period: You may be required to serve a twelve-month probationary period upon appointment to this position. You may also be required to complete an appropriate supervisory training course within one year of assignment to this position. Qualifications The qualifications for this position must be met by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on 12/26/2024. 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 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on 12/26/2024. GS-13: You qualify at the GS-13 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, which is equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the federal government, that 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 asylum, refugee, or other immigration cases involving eligibility for protection and resettlement and writing final determinations with legal analysis to support decisions. Coordinating with law enforcement, intelligence community partners, and other agencies on matters relevant to national security and public safety. Developing refugee, asylum, and/or humanitarian immigration guidance, standards, policies and procedures. Developing short- and long-range plans for the execution of refugee, asylum and/or immigration benefits programs. Assessing the productivity, effectiveness and efficiency of refugee, asylum and/or immigration program operations. GS-14: You qualify at the GS-14 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, which is equivalent to at least the GS-13 level in the federal government, that equipped you with the skills needed to successfully perform the duties of the position. You must have experience performing the following duties: Developing and implementing new policies and operational program activities or enhancements related to humanitarian benefits. Establishing and maintaining liaison with law enforcement, intelligence community partners, and other agencies on matters relevant to national security and public safety. Making final determinations on complex asylum, refugee, or other immigration cases involving eligibility for protection and resettlement and writing potentially precedent-setting final determinations with legal analysis to support decisions. Reviewing refugee and other humanitarian benefit decisions to ensure proper application of relevant guidance, policy, regulations, and statutes and efficient operations. Using an in-depth knowledge of immigration law to provide technical guidance to individuals who adjudicate immigration benefits cases or who prepare legal briefs or other written memorandum that advocate for complex and sensitive immigration benefits. 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 12/26/2024. 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. Education EDUCATIONAL SUBSTITUTION: There is no educational substitution at these grade levels Travel: Travel will be required, including circuit rides to international locations that generally last between six to eight weeks. Travel may be required in some circumstances to support other RAIO or USCIS programs. Deployments to international locations may include working in physically challenging and inhospitable climates, remote camp settings, and/or high-security or restrictive environments. Political or other unpredictable events may sometimes force sudden adjustments of schedule or work hours. The officer must possess the ability to adjust to unexpected changes in work assignments while maintaining a courteous and professional demeanor. While USCIS takes all reasonable precautions to protect the health and safety of its employees, employees must be physically resilient, adaptable, and flexible enough to adjust to living and working in demanding conditions that sometimes involve extreme temperatures, harsh working environments, and austere living facilities, and long arduous travel using multiple modes of transportation, including but not limited to long flights, small aircraft, travel by motor vehicle over roads which may not meet typical U.S. standards for paving and grade. Training: If you have not already done so, you will be required to attend the training that relates to this position as required by the agency. The trainings may last multiple weeks and may be held in-person or virtually. The trainings must be completed successfully 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. 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 Personnel Management guidance and U.S. Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change. Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions. Common definitions for hiring terms found in this announcement. 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. DHS 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. The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Homeland Security and its Components from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to our Staffing Helpdesk. 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.