Adjudication Officer

Citizenship and Immigration Services•District of Columbia, DC

15h

About The Position

The Adjudication Officer interprets, applies, and enforces immigration and nationality laws to make determinations on EB-5 applications. The position reviews and implements directives, regulations, and delegations of authority; conducts national security queries using government and commercial systems; and adjudicates complex and highly sensitive immigration benefit applications and petitions. The officer also provides technical guidance and leadership on adjudication and economic analysis, communicates with DHS stakeholders, and advises on immigration policy and program changes. The position is at the GS-14 level. Selected candidates must successfully complete the USCIS Immigration Service Officer Basic Training Program, approximately five to six weeks of academic instruction at the USCIS Academy Training Center in Charleston, South Carolina. A one-year probationary period may be required.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
Must successfully pass a background investigation, including financial disclosure, and a drug screening.
Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with the Selective Service.
Applicants not currently employed by USCIS must meet the residency requirement: for three of the five years immediately before applying, have resided in the United States, worked overseas for the U.S. Government in a Federal or Military capacity, or been a dependent of a Federal or Military employee serving overseas.
GS-14 applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 level in federal service.
Specialized experience must include making final determinations and writing assessments, legal decisions, or analyses of difficult or sensitive immigration cases that are precedent-setting, high-visibility, or of great importance to the agency.
Specialized experience must include providing subject matter expertise on immigration law, regulations, policies, and procedures to varied audiences, particularly for immigration benefit adjudications.
Specialized experience must include reviewing immigration adjudications and providing expert guidance to ensure proper application of relevant guidance.
Current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the lower grade or equivalent grade band in federal service.
Selected candidates must successfully complete the approximately five-to-six-week USCIS Immigration Service Officer Basic Training Program; failure to meet the minimum exam average may result in removal from the position.
A one-year probationary period may be required.

Responsibilities

Review and implement new and established directives, regulations, and delegations of authority for potential effects on program objectives, operating policies, and office operations.
Use government and commercial systems to conduct national security queries in accordance with applicable laws and policies.
Grant or deny complex and highly sensitive immigration benefit applications and petitions based on electronic or paper submissions.
Provide technical guidance and leadership on adjudication and economic analysis of sensitive, complex, and fraud-prone applications, ensuring work meets accuracy and completion standards.
Communicate orally and in writing with internal and external Department of Homeland Security customers and stakeholders.
Provide expert guidance and interpret policy matters relating to immigration adjudication programs, and suggest and implement changes where needed.
Attend and successfully complete the USCIS Immigration Service Officer Basic Training Program.