Summary This position is located in Refugee, Asylum, and International Operations Directorate, Asylum Division. As an Asylum Officer, you will determine whether an individual qualifies for asylum, statutory withholding of removal, or withholding or deferral of removal under the CAT; and work in collaboration with FDNS to identify individuals and organizations who seek immigration benefits by fraudulent means. Responsibilities Adjudicate complex asylum cases through non-adversarial interviews and make determinations as to whether an individual qualifies for asylum, statutory withholding of removal, or withholding or deferral of removal under the Convention Against Torture. Conduct research of specific Country Conditions in coordination with RAIO Research Unit as part of the adjudications process, using appropriate databases and other electronic and written resources. Identify noncitizens believed to be involved in defrauding the U.S. Government. Analyze new or amended legislation, and interpret policy covering USCIS programs, activities, or functions for which the agency has responsibility. Develop relevant lines of questioning and elicit testimony on likelihood of persecution according to the higher withholding of removal standard of proof and any potential Convention Against Torture claim according to the higher standard of proof. Elicit testimony to determine the possibility of deferral of removal under Convention Against Torture, which will be granted if the person meets all eligibility requirements. Write well-organized, logical, and complex legal decisions that cover essential issues and are consistent with adjudicative standards and legislation and are applicable to the facts of the case or which communicate USCIS policies and procedures. Adjudicate other complex affirmative asylum and prescreening cases such as those involving national security and egregious public safety concerns, high profile cases that have high visibility. Requirements Conditions of Employment Conditions of Employment: 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 and remote work programs 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. 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. Qualifications Time in Grade does not apply to Delegated Examining Announcements, any reference to Time in Grade in the questionnaire will not apply to the rating and ranking of applicants. This announcement is issued under the Direct Hire Authority to recruit for positions for which the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, has a critical hiring need. GS-13: You qualify at the GS-13 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, which is equivalent to at least the GS-12 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: Preparing written legal analysis or other written memoranda relating to asylum, refugee, or other immigration cases; Recommending determinations on or representing applicants on asylum, refugee, or other immigration cases; Researching or interpreting immigration laws, policies, or procedures as they relate to an individual's eligibility for asylum, refugee, or other immigration benefits; Interviewing or eliciting information from applicants for asylum, refugee, or other immigration benefits. Please read the following important information to ensure you submit everything we need to consider your application: Your resume will be used to determine your qualifications for the position advertised in this announcement. Therefore, your resume must highlight your most relevant, significant experience related to the requirements found in the qualification section of this announcement, as well as any applicable education. USCIS will only review the first 5 pages of your resume to determine your initial eligibility/qualifications for a position. As such, please be sure to include content to support your eligibility/qualifications for this position within the first 5 pages. Please note that your full resume will be made available to the hiring manager if you are referred. Be clear and specific when describing your work history since human resources cannot make assumptions regarding your experience. Please ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information: Job Title (include series and grade if Federal Job) Duties (be specific in describing your duties) Employer's name and address Supervisor name and phone number Start and end dates including month, day and year (e.g. June 18 2007 to April 05 2008) Start and end dates for each grade/pay level if you've held a federal position. Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week) Salary Determining length of General or Specialized Experience is dependent on the above information and failure to provide the above information may result in a finding of ineligible. Note: Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Federal Experience: If you are using current or prior federal experience as a basis for qualifying for this position, the grade levels and length of employment (mm/dd/year) at each grade level must be listed in your work history. This information will be further validated if selected for this position. National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build criteria competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer service. Please provide the dates and amount of time/hours worked earning this experience. Education EDUCATIONAL SUBSTITUTION: There is no educational substitution at this grade level. 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 locations where USCIS hosts training programs in order to deliver training or evaluate student assignments during training. The selectee will also be required to travel to other asylum offices and DHS locations to participate in train-the-trainer programs and quality assurance review exercises. The selectee may also be 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) or DHS detention facilities to conduct interviews or site visits. As immigration emergencies arise, the selectee may be required to travel to other locations as well, sometimes for extended periods, to conduct interviews. Additional Information Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation. This may include a review of financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. The background investigation process is initiated after a selection is made. For more information visit the OPM Mythbuster Page. If a SECRET or TOP SECRET clearance is needed or the position is designated a Sensitive National Security position, all selected candidates must meet the requirements for these clearances or Sensitive National Security position prior to placement AND maintain that level of clearance or national security eligibility while encumbering the position. USCIS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities. If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment. It is our responsibility to eliminate any risks to national security, public health, and public safety that could be posed by individuals who use illegal drugs. This position may be subject to random testing as a condition of employment. A positive drug test or refusal to be tested will result in disciplinary action, up to and including removal from Federal service. Note: If you previously retired from the Federal service and are receiving an annuity, your salary may be offset by the amount of your annuity.