This position is located in Refugee, Asylum, and International Operations, New Orleans Asylum Office. As an Asylum Officer, you will identify, design, coordinate, and deliver training services to meet the training requirements of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) local offices.

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. Provide guidance as the subject matter expert on asylum policy, procedures and law, on the duties and responsibilities of asylum officers including country condition information and analysis, and on USCIS and US government immigration procedures. Develop and provide local trainings to the officer and supervisory officer staff on asylum policy, procedures, and law, on the duties and responsibilities of asylum officers. Conduct local asylum officer training for certification to adjudicate requests for asylum, NACARA 203, reasonable fear, and credible fear. Support the national asylum officer training certification, the Asylum Division Officer Training Program (ADOTP), by reviewing and providing input on course material, reviewing and grading coursework, and administering graded practical exercises. Provide ongoing coaching, monitoring, and mentoring to local asylum officers that require additional support including officers who are not meeting asylum officer performance standards.

Requirements

Qualifications

The qualifications for this position must be met by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on 10/28/2024. 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 10/28/2024 This position is located in the New Orleans Asylum Office. Nicknamed the "Big Easy," New Orleans is known for its round-the-clock nightlife, vibrant live music and arts scene and spicy Cajun and Creole cuisine reflecting its history as a melting pot of French, African and American cultures. Embodying its festive spirit is Mardi Gras, the late-winter carnival famed for colorful costumed parades and street parties. Situated on the Gulf Coast, we readily connect Texas to Florida. From the French Quarter to the National World War II Museum, there are countless, unforgettable destinations to explore. Our "Krewe de Fun" ensures that our small office stays lively, while taking great pride in supporting the USCIS mission. 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 technical advice or guidance in a specific subject matter area to others Preparing legal briefs or other written memoranda that advocate for sensitive and complex hearing or appeal cases involving eligibility for asylum, suspension of deportation, or other immigration benefits. Making final determinations on complex asylum, refugee, or other immigration cases involving eligibility for protection and resettlement and writing final determinations with legal analysis to support decisions. GS-13: In addition to the requirements for the lower grade level, you qualify at the GS-13 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, which is equivalent to at least the GS-12 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 subject matter expertise in a wide variety of immigration law, regulations, policies, and procedures to varied audiences, particularly as it relates to immigration benefit adjudications. Evaluating and recommending changes to training programs and strategies. Conducting courses, workshops, and seminars covering subject material that includes areas of Immigration and Nationality law, policies, and procedures. 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 10/28/2024. 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

EDUCATIONAL SUBSTITUTION: There is no educational substitution at these grade levels.

If you have not already done so, you will be required to attend and complete a USCIS Officer training course. This is typically provided through a blended approach of virtual instruction followed by in-residence instruction at a training venue. Training must be successfully completed according to the standards of the agency. Failure to do so will be grounds for mandatory removal from the position. Such failure will result in either reassignment to a different position, demotion or separation by appropriate procedures.

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]