Summary

1-year non-reimbursable assignment

Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) Ombudsman, DHS HQ

Immigration Law Analyst

Series Requested: 0301

Security Clearance: None

Virtual/Remote: Yes

Only current, full-time federal employees are eligible.

Resumes are reviewed every 30 days until selection/closing date.

This is a Detail, not a Developmental Rotation.

Supervisory approval form must be signed.

This job is open to

• Federal employees - Competitive service
  
  Current or former competitive service federal employees.
• Federal employees - Excepted service
  
  Current excepted service federal employees.

Clarification from the agency

This detail opportunity is for current competitive and excepted service employees only. If
you are not a current federal civilian employee you will not be eligible for this position. DHS Joint Duty Assignments do not apply to members of the Military service or contractors.

Duties

The primary purpose of this position is to serve DHS as an Immigration Law Analyst responsible for responding to case assistance requests, researching relevant immigration laws and policy updates, drafting inquiries to the appropriate USCIS offices, and corresponding efficiently in a production-focused environment.

DUTIES:

As an Immigration Law Analyst, GS-0301-13, your typical work assignments may include the following:

Taking timely action on complex and sensitive requests for case assistance by researching relevant immigration laws and policy updates in a production-focused environment.

Drafting well-researched, comprehensive inquiries to the appropriate U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office, where applicable.

Corresponding with customers via email, mail, and phone regarding their request for case assistance in a professional and timely manner.

Researching and analyzing immigration laws, regulations, policies, and procedures and assessing the level of compliance, problem areas, and successes to determine the best approach to address requests for case assistance.

Serving as a technical expert and analyst on immigration issues that may be precedent setting, or issues that have significant impact on immigration program effectiveness.

Tracking trends through assigned casework to raise with all levels of management and staff to provide recommendations to help resolve actual and emerging problems since many issues are unprecedented and, in many instances, no guidelines exist.

Determining whether proposed or existing programs accomplish objectives.

Collecting immigration data and performing analyses and evaluations; writing reports and issue papers; and making recommendations to the team leader and or Branch Chief on actual or potential problem areas, trends, and significant program deficiencies.

Serving as a casework liaison with other Federal agencies, community-based organizations, national and regional advisory groups, law schools, business schools, public policy institutes, the general public, and the United States Congress.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Must be a current permanent Federal employee
• Must have supervisory approval to apply to the Joint Duty Assignment. DHS 250-2 Application Form under "required documents" section.
• Must NOT have any pending/outstanding disciplinary actions
• Must have achieved a minimum of "meet expectations/proficiency" on latest performance appraisal/evaluation
• Must be currently at the grade level of the detail. *No Temporary Promotion Opportunity*
• The program does not apply to members of the Military service or contractors.

Qualifications

Qualifications required:

1. Responding to sensitive complaints or request for assistance in a professional and timely manner in a production-focused environment.
2. Researching and analyzing immigration laws, regulations, policies, and procedures and assessing the level of compliance, problem areas, and successes to determine the best approach to addressing requests for case assistance.
3. Drafting well-researched, comprehensive inquiries to appropriate USCIS offices.
4. Corresponding with customers regarding their request for assistance or complaint.
5. Serving as a technical expert and analyst on immigration issues and impact(s) to the applicant or petitioner.
6. Tracking trends through assigned casework to raise with all levels of management and staff to resolve actual and emerging problems since many issues are unprecedented and, in many instances, no guidelines exist.
7. Collecting immigration data; analyzing and evaluating data; drafting reports and issue papers; and making recommendations to the team leader and/or Branch Chief on actual or potential problem areas, trends, and significant program deficiencies.
8. Serving as a casework liaison with other Federal agencies, community-based organizations, national and regional advisory groups, law schools, business schools, public policy institutes, the general public, and the United States Congress.
9. Making recommendations to change regulations, policies, and procedures to assist individuals and employers in resolving problems with the U.S. immigration benefits.
10. Proposing changes in the administrative practices of U.S. immigration benefits to mitigate problems.
11. Planning and conducting studies on assigned areas and using them as a basis for sound written proposals or recommendations for agency program improvement.
12. Identifying and recommending courses of actions for emerging immigration policy issues and recurring problems identified through complaints and data research.

Please read the following important information to ensure we have everything we need to consider your application:

It is your responsibility to ensure that you submit appropriate documentation prior to the closing date. Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant experience as it relates to this Joint Duty assignment opportunity announcement.

Be clear and specific when describing your work history since human resources cannot make assumptions regarding your experience. Your application will be rated based on your resume.

Please ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information:

1. Job Title (Include series and grade of Federal Job)
2. Duties (Be specific in describing your duties)
3. Name of Federal agency
4. Supervisor name, email, and phone number
5. Start and end dates including month and year (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)

Education

EDUCATIONAL SUBSTITUTION: There is no educational substitution for this position.

Additional information

**DHS does not offer any additional benefits beyond that which the Federal employee is already receiving.

If the position requires a security clearance, employees must have a SECRET or TOP SECRET clearance to placement AND must maintain that level of clearance while performing in the position.

Selected applicants for a JDA are requested to fulfill the items below during the JDA:

1. Complete the DHS Training Course 15 days prior to the arrival to the JDA.
2. Complete the DHS Joint Duty Assignment Progress Plan to include:
   
   • Phase 1: Establish assignment objectives within the first 30 days of the JDA.
   • Phase 2: Complete a self-assessment of the duties performed at the mid-point of the JDA.
   • Phase 3: Complete a final review within the last 30 days of the JDA.

• Benefits
  
  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  
  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your experience, education, and training will be rated using a job questionnaire based on the competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this Joint Duty Assignment.

If you are among the best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. After reviewing your resume and supporting documentation, a determination will be made. You must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement.

Note: DHS continues to take necessary steps to keep our workforce safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic. If you receive a final Joint Duty Assignment offer to onboard, please complete the onboarding requirements and/or forms and submit them electronically in an expeditious manner. Your start date may be delayed if the action above is not completed.

• Benefits
  
  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  
  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
• Required Documents
  
  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
  
  1. Resume: Do not include any personally identifiable information (PII) i.e., home address, social security number, or date of birth. Your resume must clearly demonstrate you have experience which meets the requirements of this position as outlined in the "Qualifications" section.
  
  2. SF-50: Submit a copy of your official SF-50 (no text version) or other official "Notification of Personnel Action" document which shows the following information:
  
  1. Your appointment in the Federal service
  2. Tenure
  3. Grade and Step
  4. Full performance level
  
  If your SF-50(s) does not provide the information needed to make a final determination for qualification, you will be found ineligible for the position.
  
  3. DHS Joint Duty Assignment Application Form signed by your supervisor. Please click on the following link to access the required form DHS Form 250-02.
• How to Apply
  
  All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 02/27/2025 to receive consideration.
  
  1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and other supporting documents, and complete the questionnaire.
  2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
  
  To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link, and then select the more information link for this position. The Application page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
  
  Agency contact information
  
  DHS Joint Duty Program
  
  Email
  
  JointDutyProgramOffice@hq.dhs.gov
  
  Address
  
  Department of Homeland Security Headquarters
  
  OCHCO/HRMS/MS #0170
  
  6595 Springfield Center Drive
  
  Springfield, VA 20598-0170
  
  US
  
  Next steps
  
  Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the selecting official for further consideration and a possible interview. We will notify you by email at various stages in the process. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information." We expect to make a final JDA offer within 90 days after the deadline for applications. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.
  
  Telework: Telework eligibility is based on the needs of the office and is subject to change.
  
  Additional information pertaining to your interest and availability for this position may be needed after the closing date of the Joint Duty Assignment vacancy announcement; therefore, a timely response to these requests must be adhered to in order to remain in consideration.
• Fair and Transparent
  
  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
  
  
  • Criminal history inquiries
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Financial suitability
  • New employee probationary period
  • Privacy Act
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Selective Service
  • Signature and false statements
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

1. Resume: Do not include any personally identifiable information (PII) i.e., home address, social security number, or date of birth. Your resume must clearly demonstrate you have experience which meets the requirements of this position as outlined in the "Qualifications" section.

2. SF-50: Submit a copy of your official SF-50 (no text version) or other official "Notification of Personnel Action" document which shows the following information:

1. Your appointment in the Federal service
2. Tenure
3. Grade and Step
4. Full performance level

If your SF-50(s) does not provide the information needed to make a final determination for qualification, you will be found ineligible for the position.

3. DHS Joint Duty Assignment Application Form signed by your supervisor. Please click on the following link to access the required form DHS Form 250-02.

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 02/27/2025 to receive consideration.

1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and other supporting documents, and complete the questionnaire.
2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link, and then select the more information link for this position. The Application page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Agency contact information

DHS Joint Duty Program

Email

JointDutyProgramOffice@hq.dhs.gov

Address

Department of Homeland Security Headquarters

OCHCO/HRMS/MS #0170

6595 Springfield Center Drive

Springfield, VA 20598-0170

US

Next steps

Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the selecting official for further consideration and a possible interview. We will notify you by email at various stages in the process. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information." We expect to make a final JDA offer within 90 days after the deadline for applications. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.

Telework: Telework eligibility is based on the needs of the office and is subject to change.

Additional information pertaining to your interest and availability for this position may be needed after the closing date of the Joint Duty Assignment vacancy announcement; therefore, a timely response to these requests must be adhered to in order to remain in consideration.

Fair & Transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

• Criminal history inquiries
• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
• Financial suitability
• New employee probationary period
• Privacy Act
• Reasonable accommodation policy
• Selective Service
• Signature and false statements
• Social security number request