ASYLUM OFFICER
This bulletin is for multiple job opportunity announcements.
Veterans and law enforcement professionals are encouraged to apply for an exciting career with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Job Description
The Asylum Division within USCIS is responsible for making determinations that impact the lives of those seeking asylum in the United States to escape persecution due to race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. These determinations are made while protecting national security, combating fraud, and protecting the legal immigration system through careful screening, vigilant interviews, and sound adjudications. Every day, Asylum Officers change lives while ensuring the integrity of our country's immigration system.
Every day, our Asylum Officers adjudicate asylum applications, conduct credible/reasonable fear screenings, and adjudicate other benefit applications managed by the asylum program, including motions to reopen and reconsider.
This position of ASYLUM OFFICER starts at a salary of $42,053.00 GS-07 grade level, step 01, to $81,135.00 GS-09 grade level, step 10, with promotion potential to GS-09 grade level.
*THE ACTUAL SALARY MAY VARY DUE TO AN ADJUSTMENT FOR LOCALITY PAY. To view the 2019 Locality Pay Charts click here.
As an Asylum Officer you are a crucial member of the Department of Homeland Security team tasked with defending our nation's citizenship and immigration system. Typical assignments include:
- Adjudicating immigration benefits and applications managed by the asylum program, including basic affirmative asylum adjudications, and conducting credible/reasonable fear screenings.
- Reviewing applications and supporting evidence, conducting interviews, and researching appropriate information provided by the Refugee, Asylum and International Operations Directorate, the Department of State, and other sources.
- Interpreting and applying appropriate policy, regulations, statutes, and precedent decisions to make eligibility determinations.
- Producing written assessments supporting application and benefit decisions.
- Performing security and background checks on case files.
Qualifications
Ideal Asylum Officer candidates have strong verbal, written, interpersonal, and critical thinking and analytical skills, as well as a steadfast commitment to administer and uphold laws and regulations.
GS-07: You qualify at the GS-07 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:
- Pre-screening documents for accuracy and completeness; and
- Analyzing files, reports, information systems, and databases to summarize facts for tentative decision.
OR
- You may substitute successful completion of one year of full-time 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 needed to successfully perform the duties 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 a grade point average or 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale, or a class standing in the upper third of a graduating class or major subdivision, or 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, equivalent to at least the GS-07 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:
- Examining documents for authenticity to assist in the detection of fraud;
- Interviewing applicants and witnesses to elicit information and assess credibility; and
- Reviewing information from databases and/or other records to identify individuals who may pose a threat to national security or public safety.
OR
- You may substitute a Master's or equivalent degree, or two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, 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.
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.