IMMIGRATION SERVICES ASSISTANT at Saint Albans

JOB SUMMARY:

Do you desire to protect American interests and secure our Nation while building a meaningful and rewarding career? If so, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is calling. DHS components work collectively to prevent terrorism, secure borders, enforce and administer immigration laws, safeguard cyberspace and ensure resilience to disasters. The vitality and magnitude of this mission is achieved by a diverse workforce spanning hundreds of occupations. Make an impact; join DHS.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services secures Americas promise as a nation of immigrants by providing accurate and useful information to our customers, granting immigration and citizenship benefits, promoting an awareness and understanding of citizenship, and ensuring the integrity of our immigration system. Visit us at www.uscis.gov.

 

Everyday our Immigration Services Assistant (OA), support the Operations Services Process by supporting the Immigration Services Officers, managing correspondence, and maintaining customer support, provide security checks in accordance with all applicable DHS/USCIS laws and policies, and track, research, collect, correlate and analyze data in order to prepare reports.

 

This position of IMMIGRATION SERVICES ASSISTANT starts at a salary of $31,315.00 (GS-05 step 1), with promotion potential to $50,431.00 (GS-07 step 10).  Apply for this exciting opportunity to become a member of the Service Center Operation Directorate, Vermont Service Center, St Albans, VT or Essex, VT within DHS US Citizenship and Immigration Services.

 

The vacancy announcement shows the location to be St. Albans; however, the Vermont Service Center has two sites, St. Albans and Essex Junction, Vermont. The determination as to what location the position is assigned to has not been made at this time.

 

This position may be subject to SHIFT WORK.  Shift differential will apply.

 

For definitions of terms found in this announcement, please click here 

 

USCIS will not pay your relocation expenses.
This position is in the bargaining unit.
This position is not considered "essential" for purposes of reporting to work when the facility might otherwise be closed.

Relocation expenses are authorized if you are assigned to the RAIO program and have been approved for rotation from an overseas assignment. Relocation expenses for employees assigned to an OCONUS location will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Note: USCIS may fill one or more positions using this vacancy.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• You must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. National to apply for this position
• Successfully pass a background investigation including financial disclosure
• You must pass drug screening
• Meet relevant experience and/or education requirements.
• Current Federal employees must meet Time-in-Grade requirements
• You must submit resume and supporting documentation

DUTIES:Back to top

The duties 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.

 

As an Immigration Services Assistant (OA), you will support the Operations Services Process by supporting the Immigration Services Officers, managing correspondence, and maintaining customer support, provide security checks in accordance with all applicable DHS/USCIS laws and policies, and track, research, collect, correlate and analyze data in order to prepare reports. Other duties may include the following:

• Perform analysis on files, reports, and information systems or databases.
• Prescreen various applications and submissions by USCIS customers for accuracy, completeness of initial supporting documentation and eligibility for benefits and process documents and fees.
• Analyze incoming requests for expedited services and provided expedited services, as appropriate, and process requests for fee waivers.
• Maintain subject matter files, technical instructions, and/or operating procedures. In addition, Incumbent will process word processing software, i.e., graphics, database, spreadsheets and other work processing systems use in editing and creating office documents and correspondence.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:Back to top

GS-5: You qualify at the GS-5 grade level if you possess one of the following

• You possess one (1) year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-04 level in the federal government, which has equipped you with the skills needed to successfully perform the duties of the position. You must have experience performing the following duties: complex office automation duties using word processing to edit and reformat lengthy correspondance and reports. Create and maintain spreadsheets and databases; respond to inquiries by phone and/or in writing. Review and verifying accuracy and completeness of submitted documents for benefits. OR
• Successful completion of a full four-year course of study above the high school level in any field for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite can be substituted for specialized experience. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university. One year of full-time academic study is defined as 30 semester hours, 45-quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university, or at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week for approximately 36 weeks in a business, secretarial, or technical school.

 

GS-6: In addition to the requirements at the lower grade level(s), you qualify at the GS-06 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-05 level in the federal government, which has equipped you with the skills needed to successfully perform the duties of the position. You must have experience performing the following duties:

• Performing complex office automation duties requiring different approaches and methods from one assignment to another.
• Reviewing and screening applications for benefits to ensure validity of documentation submitted.
• Providing routine information and assistance on applications for benefits.
• Maintaining subject matter files, technical instructions, and/or operating procedures.

 

GS-7: In addition to the requirements at the lower grade level(s), you qualify at the GS-07 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-06 level in the federal government, which has equipped you with the skills needed to successfully perform the duties of the position. You must have experience performing the following duties:

• Analyzing and evaluating cases where expedited screening or resolution of requests for immigration benefits is necessary.
• Determining whether request for immigration benefits sought are valid and whether applicant qualify.
• Reviewing and screening applications for immigration benefits to ensure validity of documentation submitted and completeness of supporting documentation.
• Preparation of a variety of reports utilizing a number of software applications.
• Retrieving information from other software systems (e.g., databases, spreadsheets, graphics, and word processing), analyzing data for inclusion in reports and publications.

COMBINING QUALIFYING EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: 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: http://beta.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=List-by-Occupational-Series

Typing Certification: You must be able to type at least 40 words per minute. You can self certify by submitting a statement that you can type this speed.

General Office Skills: Applicants must possess knowledge of general office automation software, practices, and procedures.

Physical Demands: Applicants must be able to lift moderately heavy items such as file tubs and record boxes or bins weighting up to 50 lbs

 

The qualifications for this position must be met by 11:59pm (Eastern Time) on the closing date of this announcement (Monday, July 29, 2013).

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 11:59pm (Eastern Time) on the closing date of this announcement (Monday, July 29, 2013).

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

You will be evaluated for this position based upon information reflected in your resume.  Your resume must support your responses to the job specific assessment questionnaire, level of education claimed, experience, and/or training.  To remain in consideration for this position, please ensure your resume covers this requirement and that your application has been successfully submitted as part of your on-line application. 

 

The competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job are:

• Analysis
• Manages and Organizes Information
• Oral and Written Communication
• Customer Service

 

Creation of this package includes completing the on-line assessment questionnaire, uploading your resume, and uploading any required supporting documents.

NOTE : Your resume and supporting documentation will be verified.  If you rated yourself higher than what is supported by your application material, you may be excluded from consideration for this job. Please follow all instructions carefully.  Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

 

If you are found best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview.  To preview the job questionnaire, click here View Assessment Questions.

Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles:   If you have never worked for the Federal government, you are not CTAP/ICTAP eligible.   Information about ICTAP or CTAP eligibility can be found by clicking here to access OPMs Career Transition Resources website.   To be considered well qualified under CTAP/ ICTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 95  for this position.   In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement.

 

Country: USA, State: Vermont, City: Saint Albans, Company: Citizenship and Immigration Services.