Job Posting: IMMIGRATION SERVICES ASSISTANT (OA)

Department: Department Of Homeland Security


Agency: Citizenship and Immigration Services

Job Announcement Number: CIS-PJN-420386-SER



SALARY RANGE:$27,431.00 - $44,176.00 /year

OPEN PERIOD:Tuesday, January 11, 2011 to Thursday, January 20, 2011

SERIES & GRADE:GS-1802-05/07

POSITION INFORMATION:Full Time Career/Career Conditional

PROMOTION POTENTIAL:07

DUTY LOCATIONS:Multiple duty locations - click here for more info

WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED:United States Citizens





JOB SUMMARY:

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services secures America's 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.





Every day, our Immigration Services Assistants (OA):

Maintain and 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.

Track, research, collect, correlate and analyze data in order to prepare reports.

Organizational Location: This position is located in the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, Office of Field Operations, at the following Field Offices:

Kendall, FL

Orlando, FL

Tampa, FL

West Palm Beach, FL

Atlanta, GA

New Orleans, LA

Charlotte, NC

Raleigh, NC

San Juan, PR

Charleston, SC

Memphis, TN - This location is no longer available.



***This announcement has been amended to remove Memphis, TN as one of the choices. It is not available.***

***You are limited to choosing only two (2) geographic locations for this announcement.***

Actual salary may be higher due to an adjustment for locality.

Relocation Expenses: 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.

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







KEY REQUIREMENTS:

U.S. Citizenship or National

Background Investigation including financial disclosure

Residency Requirement and Drug Screening

Meet relevant experience and/or education requirements

Resume and supporting documents

Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service











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Duties

Additional Duty Location Info:





Few vacancies - WEST PALM BEACH, FL; Few vacancies - MEMPHIS, TN; Few vacancies - SAN JUAN, PR; Few vacancies - ATLANTA, GA; Few vacancies - NEW ORLEANS, LA; Few vacancies - Kendall, FL; Few vacancies - ORLANDO, FL; Few vacancies - TAMPA, FL; Few vacancies - CHARLOTTE, NC; Few vacancies - CHARLESTON, SC; Few vacancies - RALEIGH, NC









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. You will:



Manage correspondence, maintain customer support, and process documents and fees.

Perform analysis on files, reports, and information systems or databases.

Initiate security checks in accordance with all applicable DHS/USCIS laws and policies.

Conduct file searches for aliases and dates of birth and criminal behavior.

Prescreen various applications and submissions by USCIS customers for accuracy, completeness of initial supporting documentation and eligibility for benefits.

Manage and analyze incoming mail, including Congressional correspondence and represent USCIS in written inquiries, requests and final decisions.

Analyze incoming requests for expedited services and provide expedited services, as appropriate, and process requests for fee waivers.

Create, issue, stamp, update, route and serve documents, and process fees in accordance with established procedures.

Explore all avenues of assistance available to the client, determining the benefit most advantageous if more than one exists, and educating the applicant as to the options available to them and the appropriate application(s) to file.

Obtain, maintain and properly account for priority and premium processing files required for review at the office location.

Research, collect, correlate and analyze data in order to prepare reports.

Analyze systems to ensure that they have current case status, including incoming inquiries.

Produce, store, and retrieve drafts of a variety of document types.







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Qualifications and Evaluations

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

GS-5: You qualify at the GS-5 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-4 grade level in the Federal government, with the skills needed to perform successfully the duties of the position, such as:



Performing complex office automation duties using word processing to edit and reformat lengthy correspondence and reports.

Creating and maintaining spreadsheets and databases; responding to inquiries by phone and/or in writing.

Reviewing and verifying accuracy and completeness of submitted documentation for benefits.



GS-6: You qualify at the GS-6 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level in the Federal government, with the skills needed to perform successfully the duties of the position, such as:



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: You qualify at the GS-7 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-6 grade level in the Federal government, with the skills needed to perform successfully the duties of the position, such as:



Analyzing and evaluating cases where screening or resolution of requests for benefits has been delayed and informing inquirers verbally or in writing of problems encountered and action required.

Interviewing callers through pertinent questions to determine whether they qualify for benefits sought; preparing various reports, brochures, and publications that highlight functions and activities.

Retrieving information from other software systems (e.g., databases, spreadsheets, graphics, and word processing) for inclusion in reports and publications.





Educational Substitution:

GS-5: 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.



Equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements at the GS-5 level.





All requirements for this position must be met by 11:59pm (Eastern Time) on the closing date of this announcement (Thursday, January 20, 2011).

Typing Certification: You must be able to type at least 40 words per minute.



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



Selectee must be able to obtain a SECRET level security clearance.





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.

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







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Benefits and Other Info





BENEFITS:

Working for the Federal government offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes annual and sick leave, paid holidays, life insurance, health benefits, flexible spending and dependant care accounts, long term care insurance, and participation in the Federal Employment Retirement System. In some localities, USCIS also offers benefits/flexibilities that may be attractive to a new professional, e.g., flexible work schedules, and transit subsidies. The following web address is provided for your reference to explore the major benefits offered to most Federal employees. To find out more, click here: http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/enrollment/new employee.asp .





OTHER INFORMATION:

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provides eligible surplus or displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If you qualify for the ICTAP or CTAP, you will need to meet all requirements of the program and be found well-qualified for the vacancy.

To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced federal employees must be rated at 85 or above in the rating criteria for this position. For those instances where the best qualified lists include applicants with scores lower than 85, the well-qualified score becomes the lowest score on the best qualified list.

You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. ICTAP and CTAP eligibles must submit one of the following:

A separation notice; a "Notice of Personnel Action" (SF-50) or equivalent that documents separation;

An agency certification that you cannot be placed after injury compensation has been terminated;

An OPM notification that your disability annuity has been terminated; OR

A military department or National Guard Bureau notification that you are retired under 5 U.S.C. 8837(h) or 8456.

Information about ICTAP or CTAP eligibility is available on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp.

Selective Service: If you are a male born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. To find out more click here http://www.sss.gov/.

Veteran's Preference: If you are entitled veteran's preference, you should indicate the type of veteran's preference you are claiming on your resume. Your veteran's preference entitlement well be verified by the employing agency.

For 5-point veteran's preference, please provide your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty, or other official documentation (e.g. documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that proves your military service was performed under honorable conditions.

For 10-point veteran's preference, please submit a Standard Form (SF-15), Application for 10-point Veteran Preference and the required documentation to support this claim.







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How To Apply





HOW TO APPLY:

To begin, click the Apply Online button near the bottom of this screen and follow the prompts to register, answer a few questions, and submit all required documents.

To return to your saved application, log into your USAJOBS account at http://www.usajobs.opm.gov and click on "My Applications". Click on the position title, and then select Apply Online to continue.

We strongly encourage you to apply online. If you can not apply online, you must contact the Human Resource office listed below at least one day prior to the closing date for instructions. Applications will not be accepted by mail.

To Fax a Resume or Supporting Documents:

If you previously uploaded documents to this vacancy, please do not FAX the same documents. If you need to fax a part of your documentation:

Click on the link below to obtain the special application cover page:

http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf

Make sure that you include the 8-character vacancy identification number: “MB420386”.

Provide your SSN, name, and address in the blocks provided or we will not be able to associate your document(s) with the rest of your application.

Print your SSN and Name neatly using the exact name as the one used when you filled out the assessment questionnaire.

The fax number is 1-478-757-3144.





REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Resume showing relevant experience; Cover letter optional

Transcripts, unofficial or official (if qualifying all or in part based on your education)

Veteran's Preference Documentation (DD-214, VA Letter, and SF-15 if claiming 10 point preference; DD-214 if claiming 5 point preference)

ICTAP/CTAP (if applicable, please provide documentation)

Failure to provide all required documents may result in your not being considered for employment.





AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

HR OPERATIONS CENTER-TEAM FOUR

Phone: (802)660-1144

Email: HROCTEAM4@DHS.GOV Agency Information:

US Citizenship and Immigration Services

70 Kimball Ave

S Burlington, VT 05403

USA







WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

Once your complete application is received we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The best qualified will be referred to the hiring official for further consideration and possible interview. We expect to make a selection within 90 days of the closing date of the announcement and you will be notified of the outcome.








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