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SENIOR ADVISOR

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Washington, D.C
Closing date
Aug 29, 2019
Duties

Summary

This position of SENIOR ADVISOR starts at a salary of $137,849.00 GS-15 grade level, step 01, with pay potential to $166,500.00 GS-15 grade level, step 10.
Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

  • Provide expert advice in support of the OLIA mission, which includes the design and development of OLIA programs and services.
  • Provide expert interpretation for Congressional and intergovernmental inquiries, which often require the interpretation of original legislative or judicial intent.
  • Recommend long-range program plans, goals, objectives, and milestones, which serve as the basis for substantive legislative, policy, and operational changes in USCIS and impact the operation of the immigration system and national security.
  • Research and write reports or other working documents that provide expert authoritative guidance on complex and wide-impacting program issues.
  • Plan, direct, and execute liaison operations for critical agency-wide programs, with national or international implications.


Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
15

Requirements

Conditions of Employment


Probationary Period: You may be required to serve a probationary period of 1 year.

The qualifications for this position must be met by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on the closing date of this announcement 08/28/2019.

Current Federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the lower grade or equivalent grade band in the Federal service. The Time-in-Grade requirement must be met by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on the closing date of this announcement 08/28/2019.

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.

Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.

Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

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.


Qualifications

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 the closing date. Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant experience and education (if applicable), as it relates to this job opportunity announcement. USCIS will only review the first 5 pages of your resume to determine your 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. Be clear and specific when describing your work history since human resources cannot make assumptions regarding your experience. Your application will be rated and ranked based on your responses to the online questions.

Selective Placement Factor: You must have experience answering complex inquiries about U.S. immigration law, reviewing and drafting legislation, and briefing Members of Congress, other OLIA stakeholders (such as DHS, USCIS Program Offices/Directorates, Congress, Congressional Committees, state, local, territorial, and tribal partners including elected officials), and other governmental entities.

Relocation expenses are authorized if you are a USCIS employee assigned to the Refugee, Asylum and International Operations program and have been approved for rotation from an overseas assignment. Relocation expenses for USCIS employees assigned to an OCONUS location will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

GS-15: You qualify at the GS-15 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, which is equivalent to the GS-14 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:
  • Managing, organizing, and prioritizing multiple concurrent, complex projects efficiently and effectively within compressed time frames. (Provide examples in resume)
  • Collaborating across organizational units and levels to accomplish program goals.
  • Analyzing quantitative and qualitative data and information from various sources (such as draft or conceptual legislation, statistical immigration data, congressional responses, draft hearing, etc) to determine needs and create solutions.
  • Planning, organizing, and advising on immigration legal and policy matters.


Please read the following important information to ensure we have everything we need to consider your application:
It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant work experience and education (if applicable), as it relates to this job opportunity. Please be clear and specific when describing your work history as we cannot make assumptions regarding your experience. Your application will also be rated and ranked among others based on your responses to the online questions.

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.

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.

Additional information

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 the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.

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. For more information visit the OPM Mythbuster Page .

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.

Special Hiring Authorities
The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR § 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR § 315.707. Veterans , Peace Corps / VISTA volunteers , and persons with disabilities 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 for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.

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 .

Additional Information
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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated for this position based upon information reflected in your resume. Your resume must support your responses to the job specific assessment questionnaire, level of education claimed, experience, and/or training. To remain in consideration for this position, please ensure your resume covers this requirement and that your resume has been successfully submitted as part of your on-line application package.

The assessments for this job will measure:

  • Decision Making
  • External Awareness
  • Organizational Awareness
  • Planning and Evaluating
  • Political Savvy


Creation of this package includes completing the on-line assessment questionnaire, uploading your resume, and uploading any required supporting documents.

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.

If you are found best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be contacted for an interview. To preview the job questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10578050 .

Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligible
If you have never worked for the Federal government, you are not CTAP/ICTAP eligible. Information about CTAP or ICTAP 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
Certain veterans are eligible to apply as a status candidate under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA). For more information, please click here .

Note: Applicants who are referred to the hiring office for selection consideration may be required to complete a writing sample and/or other writing exercise as part of the interview/selection process. If the hiring office decides to request a writing sample and/or other writing exercise as part of its selection process, a designated contractor or Agency representative will contact you to: (1) inform you of this requirement; and (2) provide further instructions.

Note:
  • For definitions of terms found in this announcement, please click here .
  • This position IS NOT in the bargaining unit.
  • This position IS NOT considered "essential" for purposes of reporting to work when the facility might otherwise be closed.
  • USCIS may fill one or more positions using this vacancy.


Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Top Secret

Drug test required
Yes

Required Documents

  • Your resume -You must submit a resume that clearly demonstrates you have experience that meets the requirements of this position as outlined in the "Qualifications" section. USCIS' human resources office will only review the first 5 pages of your resume to determine your eligibility/qualifications.
  • Your responses to the job questionnaire Only https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10578050 (submitted through the on-line application process in USA Jobs. Responses DO NOT need to be attached as an additional document to your application)
  • Are you qualifying based on education? You must submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable). to support the educational substitution, basic educational requirement, or a list of coursework with hours completed. For verification purposes, the transcript submitted must include your name and educational institution. Those with foreign education, click this link .
  • Veterans: if you are applying for 5-Point Preference you must submit your DD 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) showing your Character of Service. If you are applying for 10-point Preference you 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 your DD-214 along with 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 closing date of the announcement. 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. You may request a copy of your DD-214 through the E-Benefits Page .
Are you a current or former Federal employee? Submit a copy of your official SF-50 (no text version) or other official "Notification of Personnel Action" document that shows the following information:
  • your appointment in the competitive service
  • tenure
  • grade and step
  • full performance level
If your SF-50(s) does not provide the information needed to make a final determination for qualification and eligibility, you will be found ineligible for the position. SF-50B print screens from NFC are not official documents and are not acceptable. This includes USCIS employees as well. All current DHS employees can print their own SF-50's by accessing the DHS eOPF website. If you have forgotten your user name or password, eOPF offers a self-service feature to assist you.

If you are a current CIS employee and need access information to eOPF, contact USCIS.EOPF@uscis.dhs.gov . For all other agencies please see your servicing Human Resources office.

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.

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