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 http://www.uscis.gov/ .
Everyday our Immigration Services Assistants (OA) , support the Adjudication Service Process by assisting Immigration Services Officers, providing direct service to customers and their representatives, and managing files, databases and correspondence.
This position of IMMIGRATION SERVICES ASSISTANT (OA) starts at a salary of $36,016.00(GS-05 step 1), to $52,194.00 (GS-06 step 10), with promiton potential to FPL Salary (GS-07 step 10 $57,993) Apply for this exciting opportunity to become a member of the Field Operations Directorate, District 17, Houston Field Office, Houston, TX 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. TRAVEL REQUIRED
Not Required RELOCATION AUTHORIZED
No KEY REQUIREMENTS
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
Meet relevant experience and/or education requirements
You must submit resume and supporting documentation
Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with the Selective Service DUTIES: Back to top
As an Immigration Services Assistant (OA) , you will support the Adjudication Services Process by assisting Immigration Services Officers, providing security checks in accordance with DHS/USCIS laws and policies, research, collect, correlate and analyze data to insure the integrity of information and prepare reports, provide direct serve to customers and their representatives, and managing files, databases and correspondence. Other duties may include:
Performing analysis on files, reports, and information systems and databases to update information and maintain data integrity.
Prescreening various applications and submissions by USCIS customers for accuracy and completeness of initial supporting documentation and process fees.
Identifying incoming applications that require expedited service or requests for fee waivers and channel those through the correct work process.
Managing individual case files monitoring them for adjudicative and interview readiness, identifying sensitive appeals cases and accounting for the movement of files to other locations.
Scheduling applicant appointments for interviews and citizenship ceremonies, communicating directly with applicant and their representatives and produce highly sensitive secure documents and certificates of naturalization.
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. QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED: Back to top
GS-05: You qualify at the GS-05 grade level if you possess one of the following
One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-04 grade level that demonstrates the ability to perform complex office automation duties using word processing to edit and reformat lengthy correspondence and reports. Create and maintain spreadsheets and databases; respond to inquiries by phone and/or inwriting. Review and verifying accuracy and completeness of submitted documents for benefits OR
Successful completion of a full four-year course of study above the high school level in any field for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite can be substituted for specialized experience. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university. One year of full-time academic study is defined as 30 semester hours, 45-quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university, or at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week for approximately 36 weeks in a business, secretarial, or technical school.
GS-06: You qualify at the GS-06 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal government, with the skills needed to perform successfully the duties of the position, such as:
Performing complex office automation duties requiring different approaches and methods from one assignment to another.
Reviewing and screening applications for benefits to ensure validity of documentation submitted.
Providing routine information and assistance on applications for benefits.
Maintaining subject matter files, technical instructions, and/or operating procedures.
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.
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://beta.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=List-by-Occupational-Series
NOTE : Supervisory
references must be provided and will be contacted as part of the hiring
process.
Typing Certification: You must be able to type at least 40 words per minute. You can self-certify by submitting a statement that you can type this speed.
General Office Skills: Applicants must possess knowledge of general office automation software, practices, and procedures.
Physical Demands: Applicants must be able to lift moderately heavy items such as file tubs and record boxes or bins weighting up to 50 lbs
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, June 01, 2015).
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. HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:
We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, we will place you in one of three categories based on your responses to the on-line questionnaire regarding experience, education and training.
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
The competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job are:
CORE COMPETENCIES: Analysis Managing and organizes information Oral and written communication Customer service
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 fall into best qualified category, 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 CTAP or ICTAP 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 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 announcement.
Veterans: 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. 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, professional at the GS-09 grade level, or higher. This position is not considered scientific/professional. For information on veterans’ preference, please click here .
BENEFITS: Back to top
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 www.dhs.gov/careers and select “benefits.”
OTHER INFORMATION:
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. For more information visit the OPM
Mythbuster Page
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.
Special Hiring Authorities: Veterans, Peace Corps / VISTA volunteers , and individuals with
disabilities You possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility and to understand the documentation that would be required with your application, click on the links above and contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement. We encourage you to apply to USCIS vacancies using these special hiring authorities
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 www.dhs.gov/E-Verify .
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