Okay, I will be the first one to say being unemployed really hugs a root. As well, the job hunting process blows pretty hard to say the very least, especially because I’m seeking federal employment so I can apply my years of military service towards retirement. I’m beginning to wonder if having a bachelors degree, the disabled veterans preference, top secret clearance, fast and accurate typing skills, and other qualifications is enough. Where I suffer the most is lack of management skills, sales skills, and customer service skills. Because one or more of these skills is what has been biting me in the ass as I seek federal employment. Yesterday, I received my 14th letter of declination. But, this morning, I had an email giving a link to the following job announcement which I applied for. This one took 72 minutes to complete with all of the questionnaires, surveys, and background information. Anyway, just wanted to share how these official announcements look, because sometimes they are quite complicated. I think my wife and I have had quite enough background checks, I assure everyone we are legal US citizens with no international ties to ANYTHING OR ANYBODY.
Job Title: IMMIGRATION MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT (OA)
Department: Department Of Homeland Security
Agency: Citizenship and Immigration Services
Job Announcement Number: CIS-PJN-1229419-HOU
SALARY RANGE:
$35,659.00 to $57,424.00 / Per Year
OPEN PERIOD:
Monday, October 6, 2014 to Friday, October 10, 2014
SERIES & GRADE:
GS-0303-05/07
POSITION INFORMATION:
Full Time – Permanent
PROMOTION POTENTIAL:
07
DUTY LOCATIONS:
1 vacancy in the following location:
Houston, TX View Map
WHO MAY APPLY:
United States Citizens
SECURITY CLEARANCE:
Public Trust – Background Investigation
SUPERVISORY STATUS:
No
JOB SUMMARY:
Do you desire to protect American interests and secure our Nation while building a meaningful and rewarding career? If so, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is calling. DHS components work collectively to prevent terrorism, secure borders, enforce and administer immigration laws, safeguard cyberspace and ensure resilience to disasters. The vitality and magnitude of this mission is achieved by a diverse workforce spanning hundreds of occupations. Make an impact; join DHS.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services secures America’s promise as a nation of immigrants by providing accurate and useful information to our customers, granting immigration and citizenship benefits, promoting an awareness and understanding of citizenship, and ensuring the integrity of our immigration system. Visit us at http://www.uscis.gov/.
This position of IMMIGRATION MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT (OA) starts at a salary of $35,659.00(GS-05 step 1), to $57,424.00 (GS-07 step 10). Apply for this exciting opportunity to become a member of the Field Operations Directorate, Office of Field Operations, District 17, Houston TX Field Office, Houston, TX, within U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
For definitions of terms found in this announcement, please click here
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.
Relocation expenses are authorized if you are assigned to the RAIO program and have been approved for rotation from an overseas assignment. Relocation expenses for employees assigned to an OCONUS location will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Note: USCIS may fill one or more positions using this vacancy.
TRAVEL REQUIRED
Not Required
RELOCATION AUTHORIZED
No
KEY REQUIREMENTS
You must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National to apply for this positionSuccessfully pass a Background Investigation including financial disclosureYou must pass a drug screeningMeet relevant experience and/or education requirementsYou must submit resume and supporting documentationMales born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with the Selective Service
DUTIES:
The duties 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.
As an Immigration Management Assistant, you will support the administrative and operational aspects of USCIS management and program operations, by performing a variety of clerical andtechnical work in support of management and program analysis functions and processes. Other duties may include the following duties:
Update systems with current information required for reports and data analysis and administers management information systems. Complete limited, uncomplicated management and program analysis projects and segments of larger analytical projects and studies under the direction of higher level employees.Prepare reports, spreadsheets, and provides program and administrative information based on findings.Complete a variety of physical, database and system file checks to prepare cases for adjudication and coordinates with other units to resolve non-routine issues and cases.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
GS-5: You qualify at the GS-5 level if you possess one of the following:
(1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-4 grade level in the Federal government collecting data, organizing data into a usable format, and using personal computers and software to enter and retrieve data from an automation information system and various types of software; answering routine questions from other employees and distributing information to appropriate personnel; receiving, assigning, monitoring, reviewing and verifying documents through an automated information system; searching office records to respond to inquiriesORSuccessful completion of a full four-year course of study above the high school level in any field for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite can be substituted for specialized experience. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university. One year of full-time academic study is defined as 30 semester hours, 45-quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university, or at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week for approximately 36 weeks in a business, secretarial, or technical school. Equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements at the GS-5 level.
GS-6: You qualify at the GS-6 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level in the Federal government such as:
Update data systems with current information required for reports and data analysis;Create and update electronic profiles for employees to access tracking systems;Prepare files for expedited adjudication requests;Communicate with other offices to request records and update data systems.
GS-7: You qualify at the GS-7 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-6 grade level in the Federal government such as:
Complete a variety of physical database and system file checks to prepare cases for adjudication;Respond to information requests from external sources;Provide weekly statistical analysis of pending files;Recommend corrective action for procedural errors and issues.
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: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=List-by-Occupational-Series
Probationary Period: You may be required to serve a probationary period of 1 year.
The qualifications for this position must be met by 11:59pm (Eastern Time) on the closing date of this announcement (Friday, October 10, 2014).
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.
Typing Certification: You must be able to type at least 40 words per minute. You can self certify by submitting a statement that you can type this speed.
General Office Skills: Applicants must possess knowledge of general office automation software, practices, and procedures. Physical Demands: Applicants must be able to lift moderately heavy items such as file tubs and record boxes or bins weighting up to 50 lbs
HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:
We will review your résumé and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, we will place you in one of three categories based on your responses to the on-line questionnaire regarding experience, education and training.
Best Qualified: Applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a superior level of all evaluation criteria.Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a satisfactory level of the evaluation criteria.Qualified: Applicants possessing the basic qualifications, with general knowledge, skills, and abilities.
The competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job are:
Technical ProficiencyData ManagementCustomer ServiceCommunication
NOTE: Your resume and supporting documentation will be verified. If you rated yourself higher than what is supported by your application material, you may be excluded from consideration for this job. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment
Supervisory references must be provided and will be contacted as part of the hiring process.
If you fall into best qualified category, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. To preview the job questionnaire, click here View Assessment Questions.
Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the Federal government, you are not CTAP/ICTAP eligible. Information about ICTAP or CTAP eligibility can be found by clicking here to access OPM’s Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified under CTAP/ ICTAP, you must be placed in the Well-Qualified category for this position, as described above. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement.
Veterans: Veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligibles within the category in which they qualify. Veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the best qualified category, except when the position being filled is scientific, professional at the GS-09 grade level, or higher. This position is not considered scientific/professional. For information on veterans’ preference, please click here.
BENEFITS:
DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include: flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to www.dhs.gov/careers and select “benefits.”
OTHER INFORMATION:
Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, this position requires completion and adjudication of 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.
If a SECRET or TOP SECRET clearance is needed, all selected candidates must meet the requirements for these clearances prior to placement AND maintain that level of clearance while encumbering the position.
Individuals with Disabilities, Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers: You possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility and to understand the documentation that would be required with your application, click on the links above and contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement. We encourage you to apply to USCIS vacancies using these special hiring authorities.
USCIS uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.
HOW TO APPLY:
Your application must be received by 11:59PM EST on Friday, October 10, 2014. To begin your online application, click the Apply Online button and follow the prompts to register or sign into USAJOBS, take the online questionnaire, and submit the required documents. See Required Documentssection for more detail.
We strongly encourage you to apply online. If you cannot apply online, you may FAX your resume, assessment questionnaire, and supporting documents to (478)757-3144. You must print a copy of OPM Form 1203-FX, document your responses to the assessment questionnaire View Occupational Questionnaire, and use the official FAX cover sheet found here.
If you do not have access to a computer or fax, you must contact the Human Resource office listed below at least one day prior to the closing date for instructions. Applications will not be accepted by mail.
To Fax a Resume or Supporting Documents:
If you previously uploaded documents to this vacancy, please do not FAX the same documents. If you need to fax a part of your documentation:
Use the official FAX coversheet found here.Make sure that you include the 7-character vacancy identification number: “1229419”. Provide your SSN, name, and address in the blocks provided or we will not be able to associate your document(s) with the rest of your application.Print your SSN and Name neatly using the exact name as the one used when you filled out the assessment questionnaire.The fax number is 1-478-757-3144.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
Your resumé
Are you qualifying based on education? You must submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable). For verification purposes, the transcript submitted must include your name. Those with foreign education, click this link.
Are you a veteran? Submit Member Copy 4 of your DD 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty). Those applying for 10-point preference must fill out the SF-15 (click here for the form) and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form. If applying as a disabled veteran, submit a copy of the letter from the Veterans Administration, or other formal documentation, that clearly identifies overall rating of disability. If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the armed forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the date on the certification. This must indicate your dates of service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions. Click here for more veterans’ information.
Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP)? Submit:
· a copy of your agency notice,
· a copy of your most recent performance rating, and
· a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level, and duty location.
AGENCY CONTACT INFO:
HR OPERATIONS CENTER-TEAM ONE
Phone: (802)660-1145
Email: HROCTEAM1@DHS.GOV
Agency Information:
US Citizenship and Immigration Services
70 Kimball Avenue
South Burlington, VT
05403
USA
WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:
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 (learn more). 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 job offer within 90 days after the deadline for applications. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.
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