This position is located in Refugee, Asylum and International Operations, Mission Operations Division, Resource Management Branch, Travel Section. As a Mission Support Specialists (Travel) you will work with challenging issues in a large customer base to address the domestic and international travel needs. This includes coordinating travel, interpreting and applying travel-related policies and procedures, conducting analysis of work processes.

Duties

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. Provides expert customer service, advice assistance, and guidance to USCIS and RAIO Directorate senior management supervisors and employees on complex and sensitive matters relating to domestic and international travel issues. Prepares and coordinates travel authorizations, passport and foreign entry visa requests, Country Clearance notifications and travel restrictions, and audits travel expense reports for large groups of domestic and international travelers. Researches and conducts analysis of regulations and policies to address problems that arise with domestic and international travel issues and makes recommendations to address sensitive travel cases. Performs analysis of travel program needs and develop standard operating procedures and policies for use by the RAIO Directorate. Plans special projects to review current workflow processes and prepares written reports of findings. Evaluates pertinent travel legislation and newer revised policies or directives from General Services Administration (Federal Travel Regulations), Department of Homeland Security, and USCIS as it applies to the RAIO Directorate’s travel needs. Presents policy and process related information orally and in writing to travelers, supervisors, groups, and management and ensures accurate and appropriate protocols are followed.

Requirements

Qualifications

The qualifications for this position must be met by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on 04/25/2024. 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 04/25/2024. Selective Placement Factor: You must have experience coordinating international and domestic travel for large groups federal employees in accordance with Federal Travel Regulations (FTR) OR Department of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR). This experience must be documented in your resume. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating. 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: Using Federal Travel Regulations to assist in the preparation of travel authorizations and amendments and an electronic travel system for international and domestic travel. Providing assistance to customers concerning travel-related questions and concerns; brief customers on country entry requirements. Corresponding with customers / management regarding travel requirements; researching, preparing, reviewing, and submitting request for foreign entry visas, Diplomatic and Official passports, and Department of State Country Clearances. Evaluating pertinent travel legislation and new or revised policies or directives from General Services Administration (Federal Travel Regulations), DHS, and USCIS. OR You may substitute a Master's or equivalent degree, or two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or a J.D. or L.L.B degree for experience required at the GS-09 grade level. Such education must have been obtained in 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: Preparing travel authorizations and amendments in an electronic travel system for international and domestic travel. Providing advice to clients and management based on comprehensive knowledge of Department of State travel policies, and passport and visa requirements. Auditing travel expense reports for accuracy and adherence to existing travel policy and regulations. Planning scheduling and conducting projects; Assisting with the collection of workloads tracking data and preparing reports for management. OR You may substitute a doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent degree) or three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in any field, or L.L.M. if related for experience at the GS-11 grade level or such education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Check wit your school to determine how many credit hours comprise three years of graduate study. If that information is not available, use 54 semester or 81 quarter hours. GS-12: You qualify at the GS-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: Providing advice, planning, assistance, and guidance to supervisors, managers, and employees on complex and sensitive domestic and international travel issues. Analyzing new or amended legislation and interpret and revised policy covering USCIS travel programs. Performing analysis of program needs and develop standard operating procedures and policies. Proposing changes to standard operating procedures based on expert knowledge of federal travel regulations, Department of State travel policies, and passport and visa requirements. 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 04/25/2024. 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. Please provide the dates and amount of time/hours worked earning this experience.

Education

COMBINING QUALIFYING EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION (at the GS-9 & GS-11 levels only): 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.

Contacts

• Address
• Name: HROC Staffing Help Desk
• Phone: 952-697-8380
• Email: [email protected]