Immigration Services Officer

Immigration Services Officer

Protect your homeland and defend your culture. Join USCIS, America's frontline defense against illegal foreign infiltration and fraud. As an Immigration Services Officer, you will conduct in-person interviews to adjudicate applications for immigration benefits and assist other federal agencies in identifying those who pose a threat to national security and public safety.

This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, within District 32 and are assigned based on the need of the agency.

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.

Screening and vetting to grant or deny complex applications and petitions for immigration benefits based on electronic or paper applications, petitions, and in-person interviews.

Research and interpret sources including immigration laws and regulations, operating instructions, legislative history, precedent decisions, state and local laws, and international treaties to determine adjudicative decision.

Plan and conduct independent research concerning the eligibility and entitlement of persons seeking benefits, employment, and/or legal status under the Immigration and Nationality Act as amended.

Conduct preliminary fact-finding and initiate further action where information indicates fraud has been detected.

Use government systems to perform security checks in accordance with all applicable DHS/USCIS laws and policies; conduct file searches for aliases, dates of birth, and criminal behavior.

Write well-organized, logical, often complex legal decisions and opinions that are clear, consistent with adjudicative standards and legislation, and are applicable to the facts of the case or which communicate USCIS policies and procedures.

Complete and update administrative reports, systems, and security reporting requirements in accordance with applicable regulations and procedures.

Conduct in-person interviews (screening and vetting) to elicit information or statements to assess credibility and identify inconsistencies.

Provide direct support and assistance to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel and officials of other federal agencies.

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 a drug screening. You must submit resume and supporting documentation. Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with the Selective Service. Political appointees may require OPM approval before on-boarding. USCIS applies the Telework Enhancement Act of 2010 to its telework program.

This position IS NOT considered "essential" for purposes of reporting to work when the facility might otherwise be closed. Residency Requirement: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This residency requirement states that candidates must have, for three of the last five years immediately prior to applying for this position; (1) resided in the United States; OR (2) worked for the United States Government as an employee overseas in a Federal or Military capacity, OR (3) been a dependent of a U.S. Federal or Military employee serving overseas. Probationary Period: You may be required to serve a probationary period of 1 year.

The qualifications for this position must be met by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on 01/07/2026. 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 01/07/2026.

GS-05: You qualify at the GS-05 level if you possess three (3) years of general experience, one (1) year of which was equivalent to at least the GS-04 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 problems, gathering pertinent data and recognizing solutions. Planning and organizing work to ensure timely completion. Communicating clearly, both orally and in writing OR You may substitute successful completion of a Bachelor's degree or a full 4-year course of study in any field leading to a Bachelor's degree for the experience required at the GS-05 grade level. This education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university. One year of full-time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester or 45 quarter hours.

GS-07: You qualify at the GS-07 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, which is equivalent to at least the GS-05 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: Performing preliminary examinations of applications and petitions for immigration benefits and drafting appropriate correspondence. Ensuring required supporting documentation is included in application package(s), and applying immigration laws, policies and procedures. Reviewing immigration benefit applications to determine adjudicative decision OR You may substitute successful completion of one year of fulltime graduate education for the experience required at the GS-07 level. This education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university and demonstrate the skills necessary to do the work of the position. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise a year of graduate education. If that information is not available, use 18 semester or 27 quarter hours OR You may also substitute superior academic achievement for the experience required at the GS-07 level. You must have completed the requirements for a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with either: (1) class standing in the upper third of a graduating class or major subdivision; or, (2) a grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale based on four (4) years of education or the final two (2) years; or, (3) a grade point average of 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final two (2) years of the curriculum; or, (4) membership in a national scholastic honor society.

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: Examining, evaluating evidence, and analyzing immigration benefits documents received for authenticity. Researching, analyzing and applying appropriate immigration laws, policies and procedures. Making determinations for immigration benefits based on reviews of applications in coordination with policies OR You may substitute a Master's degree or two (2) 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.