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Every day, we change lives.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is the government agency that oversees lawful immigration to the United States. We are 19,000 government employees and contractors working at more than 200 offices across the world.

Our Mission: USCIS upholds America’s promise as a nation of welcome and possibility with fairness, integrity, and respect for all we serve.

Visit uscis.gov/careers to learn more about what it means to work for USCIS.

This position is in the Refugee, Asylum and International Operations (RAIO) Directorate, Asylum Division in San Francisco, CA; Tustin, CA; Miami, FL; Tampa, FL; Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; New Orleans, LA; Boston, MA; Newark, NJ; Bethpage, NY; Houston, TX; Arlington, VA.

The Asylum Division within USCIS is responsible for interviewing asylum seekers to determine whether they qualify for protection in the United States due to persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of 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.

This position goes from GS-09, step 01 ($54,727 per year) to GS-12, step 10 ($126,742 per year). The actual salary will be set based on the grade, step, and location of the selectee(s) and/or position. View the 2022 Locality Pay Charts for more information.

As an Asylum Officer II you will adjudicate asylum applications, conduct credible/reasonable fear and other screenings, and adjudicate other benefit applications managed by the asylum program.

Duties

The responsibilities described are for the GS-12 level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope performed with less independence, and limited complexity.

As an Asylum Officer you are a crucial member of the Department of Homeland Security team tasked with upholding our nation's citizenship and immigration laws. Typical assignments include:
  • Adjudicating complex and highly sensitive asylum applications and other adjudications managed by the asylum program; conducting credible/reasonable fear screenings.
  • Reviewing applications and supporting evidence, conducting interviews, performing security checks, and researching appropriate information provided by the RAIO 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 adjudications, such as asylum, NACARA, credible fear and reasonable fear decisions.
  • Establishing and maintaining liaison with external federal agencies and non-governmental organizations, and/or private sector stakeholders involved in asylum benefits.

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-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 documents for authenticity to assist in the detection of fraud;
  • Interviewing applicants and witnesses to elicit information and assess credibility;
  • Reviewing information from databases and/or other records to identify individuals who may pose a threat to national security or public safety; OR
  • Analyzing information gathered through interview and research to summarize facts and provide formal written determinations.
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.

GS-11: In addition to the requirements at the lower grade level(s), to qualify at the GS-11 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, which is equivalent to at least the GS-09 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:
  • Conducting interviews to assess subject credibility and make recommendations on final determinations for benefits sought;
  • Reviewing information from a variety of sources to determine eligibility/ineligibility of benefits sought; OR
  • Drafting formal written determinations to support the approval or denial of benefits in accordance with the provisions of specific federal laws and regulations.
OR
  • You may substitute a doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent degree) or three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in any field, or L.L.M. if related for experience at the GS-11 grade level or 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 three years of graduate study. If that information is not available, use 54 semester or 81 quarter hours.

GS-12: In addition to the requirements at the lower grade level(s), to qualify at the GS-12 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, which is equivalent to at least the GS-11 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:
  • Making final determinations on complex immigration cases such as those providing eligibility for protection, resettlement or other immigration benefits; OR
  • Preparing written legal analysis or other official written memoranda to support decisions in relation to sensitive and complex hearings, administrative proceedings, benefits, or appeal cases.

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

The qualifications for this position must be met by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on the closing date of this announcement.

Other Information

Training: If you have not already done so, you will be required to attend the residential, paid RAIO Combined Training course and the Division-specific course(s), that relate to this position, at a USCIS training facility. Depending on the position, the courses may last up to nine weeks, including six weeks of residential training and three weeks of online training. In addition, if you have not already done so, you will be required to attend the residential, paid BASIC Immigration Officer training program, lasting six weeks, at a USCIS training facility. The trainings must be completed successfully according to the standards of the agency. Failure to do so will be grounds for mandatory removal from the position. Such failure will result in either reassignment to a different position, demotion, or separation by appropriate procedures.

Travel: Frequent travel is required for this position. Asylum Officers are required to travel to circuit-ride locations (locations established to serve applicants in distant locations from the home asylum office, generally at other USCIS District Offices and detention facilities) to conduct interviews. As immigration emergencies arise, selectee may be required to travel to other locations as well, sometimes for extended periods, to conduct interviews.

Newark location only: Employment at the Newark Asylum Office provides an exciting opportunity for staff to work in both downtown Newark and our newly established Manhattan Branch. Both locations are accessible through public transportation, and travel between the two offices is quick and convenient. While staff members’ will be assigned to the Newark Branch duty station, employees may be expected to work out of the Manhattan Branch on a rotational, periodic or as needed basis.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through USAJOBS to be considered.
 
  1. Visit www.usajobs.gov and log in to your user account, or create an account if you do not have one.
  2. Once you have created an account and logged in, visit https://www.usajobs.gov/job/684315000 to view the full job opportunity announcement and apply.
  3. Review the entire announcement for any additional requirements of the position and the required documents.
  4. Follow all directions in the "How To Apply" section of the USAJOBS announcement referenced above. Your complete application and all supporting materials must be received by 11:59pm Eastern Time on the closing date of the job announcement listed in USAJOBS.