This position is located in Administrative Appeals Office. As an Appellate Examination Officer, you will process all appeals, motions, and certifications that arrive at the Administrative Appeals Office.

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. Reviews, analyzes, and investigates appeals and motions to ensure they comply with the Immigration and Nationality Act, related rules and regulations, and DHS/USCIS policies and procedures. Researches novel or complex issues and exercises judgment in interpreting and adapting existing judicial rulings, precedents, regulations, agency policies and procedures, and office guidance to specific cases or issues. Makes non-merits determinations and sends pertinent correspondence to individuals and attorneys who submit appeals and motions. Recommends the correct course of action to adjudicators. Performs security checks in USCIS data systems and other law enforcement databases ensuring checks are in accordance with applicable DHS/USCIS and local AAO policies and procedures.

Requirements

Qualifications

The qualifications for this position must be met by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on 10/17/2024. 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 10/17/2024. 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: Applying rules and regulations to the review of immigration case submissions to determine compliance. Reviewing and analyzing all available evidence to determine if the appellant/movant may file an appeal or motion. Researching and analyzing immigration case records, pertinent sections of the law and regulations, operating instructions, and guidance to select the correct course of action which would result in drafting, editing and finalizing the decision. Performing security checks in USCIS data systems and other law enforcement databases ensuring checks are in accordance with applicable DHS/USCIS and local AAO policies and procedures. OR You may substitute a Master's degree or two full years of graduate education leading to such a degree in any field, 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: Identifying and requesting related case files. Identifying procedural filing deficiencies. Flagging cases for possible expedited review. Identifying issues for supervisory or Division Chief review. Determining if there is suspected fraud based on security checks. 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 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. In addition to the lower grade levels, you must have experience performing the following duties: Working independently. Mentoring junior staff. Acting as liaison to working groups 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 10/17/2024. 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.

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.

Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Personnel Management guidance and U.S. Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.

Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.

Common definitions for hiring terms found in this announcement.

Contacts

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