Immigration Services Officer

Citizenship and Immigration Services•Fresno, CA

About The Position

Immigration Services Officers screen and vet applications and petitions for immigration benefits, making determinations based on electronic or paper applications and in-person interviews. They research and interpret immigration laws, regulations, operating instructions, legislative history, precedent decisions, state and local laws, and international treaties to determine eligibility and entitlement under the Immigration and Nationality Act. Officers conduct interviews to assess credibility and identify inconsistencies, investigate potential fraud, perform security checks, and prepare clear, well-supported legal decisions and administrative reports. They also provide direct support to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and other federal agencies. The announcement includes GS-11 and GS-12 qualification pathways. At GS-11, applicants generally need one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09, or qualifying graduate education; at GS-12, applicants generally need one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11. Selected candidates must successfully complete the approximately five- to six-week USCIS Immigration Service Officer Basic Training Program in Charleston, South Carolina.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship or U.S. national status.
Successfully pass a background investigation, including financial disclosure, and a drug screening.
For males born after December 31, 1959, registration with the Selective Service.
Applicants not currently employed by USCIS must meet the stated residency requirement: for three of the five years immediately before applying, have resided in the United States, worked overseas as a U.S. Government employee in a Federal or Military capacity, or been a dependent of such an employee serving overseas.
Current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the lower grade or equivalent grade band; applicable time-in-grade requirements must be met by the announcement deadline.
GS-11: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-09 performing most of the specified immigration adjudication, credibility and evidence analysis, and legal decision-writing duties; alternatively, a doctoral degree or equivalent, three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education toward such a degree, or a related LL.M. may substitute for experience.
GS-12: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-11 performing most of the specified immigration-law research and analysis, credibility and eligibility determinations, and complex case decision or legal writing duties.
Submit a resume of no more than two pages and provide required work-history details and, if relying on education, a transcript identifying the applicant and educational institution.
Selected candidates must attend and successfully complete the approximately five- to six-week USCIS Immigration Service Officer Basic Training Program.

Responsibilities

Screen and vet complex immigration benefit applications and petitions, making grant or denial determinations.
Research and interpret immigration laws, regulations, operating instructions, legislative history, precedent decisions, state and local laws, and international treaties.
Research eligibility and entitlement of people seeking immigration benefits, employment, or legal status under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Conduct preliminary fact-finding and initiate further action when information indicates fraud.
Use government systems to conduct security checks and search files for aliases, dates of birth, and criminal behavior.
Write clear, logical legal decisions and opinions consistent with adjudicative standards, legislation, and case facts, or communicate USCIS policies and procedures.
Complete and update administrative reports, systems, and security reporting requirements.
Conduct in-person screening and vetting interviews to elicit information, assess credibility, and identify inconsistencies.
Provide direct support and assistance to CBP, ICE, and officials of other federal agencies.