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.
The Asylum Division within USCIS is responsible for making determinations that impact the lives of those seeking asylum in the United States to escape persecution due to race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. These determinations are made while protecting national security, combating fraud, and protecting the legal immigration system through careful screening, vigilant interviews, and sound adjudications. Every day,
Asylum Officers change lives while ensuring the integrity of our country's immigration system. Ideal Asylum Officer candidates have strong verbal, written, interpersonal, and critical thinking and analytical skills, as well as a steadfast commitment to administer and uphold laws and regulations.
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-07: You qualify at the GS-07 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, which is equivalent to at least the GS-05 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:
- Analyzing information gathered through research to summarize facts or provide written recommendations.
- Performing research to gather specific information from a variety of sources (for example: databases, official reports and documents). 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 either: (1) class standing in the upper third of a graduating class or major subdivision; or, (2) a grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale based on four (4) years of education or the final two (2) years; or, (3) a grade point average of 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final two (2) years of the curriculum; or, (4) membership in a national scholastic honor society.
GS-09: You qualify at the GS-09 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, which is equivalent to at least the GS-07 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:
- Assisting individuals applying for immigration benefits by examining supporting documentation for authenticity or relevance, as well as researching and analyzing appropriate information for eligibility; or
- Interpreting and applying immigration laws, policies, and procedures as they relate to an individual's eligibility for immigration benefits. OR
- You may substitute a Master's degree or 2 full years of graduate education leading to such a degree in any field or a J.D. or L.L.B. degree for experience required at the GS-09 grade level. Such education must have been obtained from 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 two years of graduate education. If that information is not available, use 36 semester or 54 quarter hours.
GS-11: You qualify at the GS-11 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, which is equivalent to at least the GS-09 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:
- Recommending determinations on or representing applicants in non-sensitive, routine hearing or appeal requests involving immigration matters that includes determining applicant credibility, analyzing evidence, or applying statutory requirements, regulations or judicial and administrative precedents; or
- Researching or preparing formal recommendations or other written memoranda according to the provisions of the Immigration Nationality Act (INA). OR
- You may substitute successful completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or at least three (3) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M. in a field related to the work of this position.
GS-12: You qualify at theGS-12 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, which is equivalent to at least the GS-11 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 such as those providing eligibility for protection, resettlement or other immigration benefits; or
- Preparing written legal analysis or other written memoranda that advocate for sensitive or complex asylum, refugee, or other immigration cases, administrative proceedings, benefits, or appeal cases.
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-12 grade level.
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 the residential, paid RAIO Combined Training course and the Division-specific course(s), that relate to this position, at a USCIS training facility. Depending on the position, the courses may last up to nine weeks, including six weeks of residential training and three weeks of online training. In addition, if you have not already done so, you will be required to attend the residential, paid BASIC Immigration Officer training program, lasting six weeks, at a USCIS training facility. 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.
Travel: Frequent travel is required for this position. Asylum Officers are required to travel to locations where USCIS hosts training programs in order to deliver training or evaluate student assignments during training. The selectee will also be required to travel to other asylum offices and DHS locations to participate in train-the-trainer programs and quality assurance review exercises. The selectee may also be required to travel to circuit-ride locations (locations established to serve applicants in distant locations from the home asylum office, generally at other USCIS District Offices and detention facilities) or DHS detention facilities to conduct interviews or site visits. As immigration emergencies arise, the selectee may be required to travel to other locations as well, sometimes for extended periods, to conduct interviews.
Benefits
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.
Under the provisions of the Direct Hire Authority, veterans' preference and category rating do not apply.
Your resume must support the 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 application package.
NOTE: Your resume and supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your consideration for employment.
You may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be contacted for an interview.
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.
How to Apply
Please read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin an application.
How to apply:
Applicants must register or join the waitlist for the Atlanta, GA in-person career Fair at the following link:
Interested applicants must successfully register, ticketed through EVENTBRITE, and attend in person to be considered during this career fair. Candidates are encouraged to join the waitlist if tickets are sold out. The waitlist may be released prior to the career fair. If you are on the waitlist and a ticket becomes available, you will receive an email to register and claim your ticket. You must accept and confirm your continued interest to attend the career fair. Only candidates with a confirmed registration ticket will be accepted at the career fair.
All hard copy resumes/applications must be received in person on the day of the event.
Recommended items to bring to the event:
- Two forms of ID (such as passport, state-issued ID card)
- Federal Resume (USCIS recommends that resumes be no more than five pages in length)
- Transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate level education, if applicable
- List of three Professional References and their contact information.
- If you are a veteran: (1) DD-214 showing character of service; and, (2) Veterans Affairs (VA) disability rating letter, if applicable
- If you are an individual with a disability: Letter stating you have a qualifying disability, from a medical professional or other organization that grants disability benefits.
Important items to take note of prior to the event:
- You can be considered for two positions at this event. If you want to be considered for more than one position, please bring additional copies of all the documents listed above.
- Documents WILL NOT be returned.
- NO onsite printing will be available.
- NO electronic documents will be accepted.
It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that all information in their resume and documents, are received, legible, and accurate.
Announcement is open to multiple locations. Applicants are limited to selecting ONE location only. The actual salary will be set based on the grade, step, and location of the selectee(s) and/or position. You may be expected to report for work at a local USCIS facility based on the needs of the hiring office. View the
2024 Locality Pay Charts for more information.
Next steps
Once we receive your application, we will assess your experience and training and refer those applications to the selecting official for further consideration and a possible interview. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.
Telework: USCIS provides telework opportunities for eligible employees serving in positions approved to work at an alternate work site in accordance with agency policy. Teleworkers are required to work at the official worksite at least two days during each bi-weekly pay period. Teleworkers are expected to work during dismissals and closures or request leave. THIS IS NOT A REMOTE POSITION. You will be expected to report for work at a USCIS facility based on the needs of the hiring office. If you are currently on an approved remote agreement, once you EOD into this position, your remote agreement will be terminated.
USCIS may fill one or more positions using this vacancy.
Additional information pertaining to your interest and availability for this position may be needed after the Hiring Event; therefore, a timely response to these requests must be adhered to in order to remain in consideration.
Conditions of Employment Reminder: If you fail to meet the conditions of employment or any other pre-employment requirements, such as missing any of the scheduled appointments, the hiring agency may rescind their tentative offer of employment.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.