Jobs for People with MS: National MS Society

Summary This announcement is open continuously until 10/31/2024, or until all positions are filled. It will be used to fill immediate and future vacancies for this agency. There may be multiple cut-off dates with the first being 5 business days after the initial open date. Additional cut-off dates may be established as needed or until all vacancies have been filled. There is no guarantee of if or when your application will be reviewed or referred. Responsibilities The responsibilities 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. Adjudicating complex and highly sensitive asylum applications and other adjudication managed by the asylum programs; conducting credible/reasonable fear screenings. Reviewing applications and supporting evidence, conducting interviews, performing security checks, and researching 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 determinations 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. 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. 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. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position. Successfully pass a Background Investigation including financial disclosure Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with the Selective Service You may be required to serve a one-year probationary period. You must pass a drug screening All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing. Incentives may be authorized; however, this is contingent upon funds availability. Bargaining Unit Position: Yes 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. Political appointees may require OPM approval before on-boarding 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. 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 note 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 training 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. Qualifications In order to qualify for the Asylum Officer position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications: FOR THE GS-7 LEVEL: Specialized Experience: Applicants must have at least one or more full-time years (12-months) of specialized work experience, equivalent to at least the GS-5 grade level in the Federal service, performing the following duties: Analyzing information gathered through research to summarize facts or provide written recommendations; or Performing research to gather specific information from a variety of sources (for example: databases, official reports and documents). -OR- Education: 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 demonstrate the skills necessary to do the work 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- Combination of Education and Experience: Applicants must have a combination of the above-described education and specialized experience such that they total 100% when combined. To determine your combination, first compute your experience as a percentage of the experience listed above; then determine your education as a percentage of the education listed above; then add the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent. -OR- Superior Academic Achievement (SAA): SAA at the baccalaureate level is fully qualifying for the GS-07 grade level. To qualify for SAA, you must have completed all requirements for a bachelor's degree in a field that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work, and meet ONE of the following: A grade point average of "B" (a GPA of 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all completed undergraduate courses, or those completed in the last two years of undergraduate study. A grade point average of "B+" (a GPA of 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all courses in your major field of study, or those courses in your major completed in the last two years of undergraduate study. Grade point averages are to be rounded to one decimal place. For example, 2.95 will round to 3.0 and 2.94 will round to 2.9. Rank in the upper one-third of your class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses. Membership in a national scholastic honor society (other than freshman honor societies) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. *If more than 10 percent of your courses were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim must be based on class standing or membership in an honorary society. FOR THE GS-9 LEVEL: Specialized Experience: Applicants must have at least one or more full-time years (12-months) of specialized work experience, equivalent to at least the GS-7 grade level in the Federal service, performing the following duties: Assisting individuals applying for immigration benefits by examining supporting documentation for authenticity or relevance, as well as researching and analyzing appropriate information for eligibility; or Interpreting and applying immigration laws, policies, and procedures as they relate to an individual's eligibility for immigration benefits. -OR- Education: 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 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. -OR- Combination of Education and Experience: Applicants must have a combination of successfully completed graduate education and experience as described above that totals 100 percent when combined. To compute, first determine total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determine total graduate education as a percentage of the graduate education required for the grade level; and then add the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. (Only graduate education in excess of one year, i.e., 18 semester hours, may be combined with experience under this provision.) FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL: Specialized Experience: Applicants must have at least one or more full-time years (12-months) of specialized work experience, equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service, performing the following duties: Recommending determinations on or representing applicants in non-sensitive, routine hearing or appeal requests involving immigration matters that includes determining applicant credibility, analyzing evidence, or applying statutory requirements, regulations or judicial and administrative precedents; or Researching or preparing formal recommendations or other written memoranda according to the provisions of the Immigration Nationality Act (INA). -OR- Education: You may substitute a doctoral degree (Ph.D. 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. Such education must 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. -OR- Combination of Education and Experience: Applicants must have a combination of successfully completed graduate education and experience as described above that totals 100 percent when combined. To compute, first determine total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determine total graduate education as a percentage of the graduate education required for the grade level; and then add the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. (Only graduate education in excess of two years, i.e., 36 semester hours, may be combined with experience under this provision.) FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Specialized Experience: Applicants must have at least one or more full-time years (12-months) of specialized work experience, equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service, performing the following duties: Making final determinations on complex asylum, refugee, or other immigration cases such as those providing eligibility for protection, resettlement or other immigration benefits; or Preparing written legal analysis or other written memoranda that advocate for sensitive or complex asylum, refugee, or other immigration cases, administrative proceedings, benefits, or appeal cases. Applicant's resume must explicitly indicate how they meet the requirement for each grade they elect consideration under to qualify, otherwise they will be found ineligible. Applicants must submit a copy of their transcript for verification if trying to qualify under education or a combination of education and experience. NOTE: 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 critical 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 experience. Education Are you qualifying based on education? Submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable) from an accredited institution. Once selected and prior to appointment, applicants must provide an official college transcript. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. Your foreign education accreditation must come from an evaluation service that is endorsed by the Association of International Credential Evaluators or the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. Failure to provide foreign accreditation from one of these organizations will result in removal from consideration. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. 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. 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. Newark Location Only: Employment at the Newark Asylum Office provides an exciting opportunity to staff to work in both downtown Newark and our 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, employee may be expected to work out of the Manhattan Branch on a rotational, periodic or as needed basis. San Francisco Location Only: Employment at the San Francisco Asylum Office provides and exciting opportunity for staff to work in both downtown San Francisco and our newly established Oakland 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 San Francisco duty station, employees may be expected to work out of the Oakland Branch. 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.