Homeland Defender (Immigration Services Officer)

Summary

Protect your homeland and defend your culture. Join USCIS, America's frontline defense against illegal foreign infiltration and fraud. This entry-level role requires no college degree and offers up to $50,000 in signing and retention bonuses. If you're driven and ready to serve with pride, join USCIS and become a vital part of homeland security!

Duties

• This is an open continuous announcement until September 29, 2027. The initial cut-off date for qualified applicants to be considered and referred for available vacant positions will be October 05, 2026.
• Depending on the needs of the agency, additional cut-off dates will be October 12, 2026, and October 19, 2026. Additional referral lists may be created as vacancies become available.
• Organizational Location: This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, within one of the Field Operations Directorate locations and are assigned based on the need of the agency.
• 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.
• Conduct thorough and meticulous reviews of applications for immigration benefits to ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and policies.
• Conduct in-person interviews to elicit information or statements to assess credibility and identify inconsistencies. Prioritize national security, public safety, and the integrity of the immigration system by adhering to rigorous vetting standards.
• Exercise judgment and discretion in evaluating eligibility criteria, verifying documentation, and identifying potential fraud or misuse of immigration programs.
• Uphold the administration's commitment to enforcing immigration laws, promoting lawful pathways, and ensuring that benefits are granted only to individuals who meet the established requirements and contribute to the nation's security and prosperity.
• Use government systems to perform security checks in accordance with all applicable DHS/USCIS laws and policies; conduct file searches for aliases, dates of birth, and criminal behavior.
• Write well-organized, logical, often complex legal decisions and opinions that are clear, consistent with adjudicative standards and legislation, and are applicable to the facts of the case or which communicate USCIS policies and procedures.
• Complete and update administrative reports, systems, and security reporting requirements in accordance with applicable regulations and procedures.
• Research and interpret sources including immigration laws and regulations, operating instructions, legislative history, precedent decisions, state and local laws, and international treaties to determine adjudicative decision.

Qualifications

The qualifications for this position must be met by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on 09/29/2027. 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-05: You qualify at the GS-05 level if you possess three (3) years of progressively responsible experience, one (1) year of which was experience equivalent to the GS-04 grade level, which has equipped you with the skills needed to successfully perform the duties of the position. You must have experience performing the of the majority following duties: Analyzing problems, gathering pertinent data and recognizing solutions; Planning and organizing work to ensure timely completion; Communicating clearly, both orally and in writing. OR You may substitute successful completion of a Bachelor's degree or a full 4-year course of study in any field leading to a Bachelor's degree for the experience required at the GS-05 grade level. This education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university. One year of full-time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester or 45 quarter hours. 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 majority of the following duties: Performing preliminary examinations of applications and petitions for immigration benefits, evaluating evidence and drafting appropriate correspondence; Ensuring required supporting documentation is included in application package(s) and applying necessary immigration laws, policies and procedures; Reviewing immigration benefit applications to determine adjudicative decision. OR You may substitute successful completion of one year of fulltime 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 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 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 of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale, class standing in the upper third of a graduating class or major subdivision or membership in a national scholastic honor society. Please read the following important information to ensure you submit everything we need to consider your application: It is your responsibility to ensure that you submit your responses and appropriate documentation prior to 09/29/2027. You must upload your resume under the "Resume" category. Resumes submitted under the "Other Documents" category will not be considered. Your most recently submitted 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. Limit your resume to no more than two pages. The USAJOBS database will not allow an applicant to submit an application that includes a resume over two pages. To help ensure your resume remains clear and easy to read, we recommend using margins of at least 0.8 inches and a font size of at least 11 point. Be clear and specific when describing your wo…

Education

COMBINING QUALIFYING EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: If you do not qualify based on experience or education alone, you may be able to qualify based on a combination of your experience and education. For more information on combining education and experience, visit the following website: General Schedule Qualification Standards. Transcript required: If you don't submit a transcript, we will not use your education when deciding if you're qualified for the job. For verification purposes, the transcript submitted must include your name and educational institution. Training: Selected candidates are required to attend and successfully complete the USCIS Immigration Service Officer Basic (ISO BASIC) Training Program located with the USCIS Academy Training Center in Charleston, SC. The ISO BASIC Training Program is approximately 5-6 weeks of academic instruction on the Immigration and Nationality Act, Code of Federal Regulations, and other immigration-related topics. Failure to meet the minimum exam average by the end of the course is grounds for removal from the position.