This position is located in Asylum Division Houston Asylum Office. As an Congressional Liaison Specialist, you will conducts activities with the Congress on behalf of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Provide expert technical advice, guidance, and interpretation of immigration law, regulations, policy, procedures, judicial and administrative precedent decisions..

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. Maintains a comprehensive knowledge of all Field Operations, USCIS programs and activities, and related policies. Develops and maintains an effective working relationship with other key program officials to remain thoroughly conversant with the operational needs of the program. Internally, advises local management of the extent and type of participation, the type of information to be presented and the most suitable method for presenting information in activities with members of Congress. Analyzes relevant data, prepares and coordinates reports, statistical and other pertinent information regarding the local jurisdiction for congressional activities at both the local and national level as appropriate. Utilizes strategic communications in new media with congressional outreach as appropriate. Supports local and national leadership by conducting and supporting regular outreach efforts tailored for local congressional staff on a quarterly basis. On behalf of local management, and in coordination with local, regional and national mgmt, provides authoritative technical advice and assistance to Members of Congress and their staff in the interpretation and clarification of immigration issues.

Requirements

Qualifications

The qualifications for this position must be met by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on 06/17/2024. 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 06/17/2024. 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: Preparing reports or publications concerning congressional activities and the agency. Monitoring trends and problems in immigration processing that effect congressional relations. Providing advice and recommendations on congressional issues relevant to immigration policy. OR You may substitute successful completion of a Master's or equivalent graduate degree or at least two (2) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B or J.D. degree may be substituted for experience at the GS-9 grade level. Such education must demonstrate the skills needed to do the work. A course of study in business administration, public administration, or related fields is qualifying. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 36 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 2 years of full­ time study requirement. 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: Attending stakeholder, congressional and/or state legislative hearings and summarizing key issues. Responding verbally and/or in writing to better determine qualification during the review process from congressional staff, constituents or community leaders related to USCIS programs and projects on immigration casework. Preparing congressional correspondence for signature on routine, non-complex, and non-policy matters. Participating in meetings to discuss information with Congress and non-governmental organizations. 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 an L.L.M., if related, for experience at the GS-11 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 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: Analyzing complex congressional relations problems and issues associated with the planning, coordination, and implementation of agency programs and activities. Planning and carrying out a wide variety of congressional relations tasks associated with the planning or execution of major activities with the agency. Identifying and summarizing congressional and/or legislative positions on issues which have significant organization and/or agency impact. Monitoring congressional requests for information by receiving, evaluating and referring work to appropriate divisions, offices or other federal agencies. There is no educational substitution at this grade level. 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 06/17/2024. 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-09 and 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]