CIS ASSISTANT (OA)

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 a CIS ASSISTANT (OA), you will:

• Respond to written and oral inquiries from the public, other organizations, governmental agencies, Congressional offices; provide non-routine information and assistance on complex applications to applicants/petitioners and/or their legal representatives in response to telephone, walk-in, congressional or other written inquiries on all aspects of immigration and nationality law as it relates to their specific area of responsibility.
• Perform case file analysis and evaluation of cases where adjudication or resolution has been delayed and/or problems encountered.
• Determine basic eligibility for benefits and privileges under the final approval of a senior employee or supervisor.
• Perform appropriate record keeping and reporting tasks and capturing essential statistical data for monthly reports and assists in the preparation of those reports.
• Provide office automation advice, guidance, and assistance to staff.

Qualifications

GS-05: You qualify at the GS-05 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-04 level in the federal government, which has equipped you with the skills needed to successfully perform the duties of the position. You must also have experience performing the following duties:

• Reviewing applications for benefits for accuracy, validity, and proper form and format; and,
• Using various computer software programs to produce office support materials on benefits.

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-5 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. Appropriate combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience also may be used to meet the total qualification requirements for the GS-5 grade level.

GS-06: In addition to the qualifications at the lower grade level(s), you qualify at the GS-06 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 also have experience performing the following duties:

• Reviewing and screening routine applications and petitions for immigration benefits;
• Using computer indices to determine a subject's current immigration status; and,
• Providing routine information and assistance on applications for immigration benefits.

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

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.

Paid Internship Experience
Applicant's work as part of a paid internship, for which course credit is not received, may be evaluated as work experience. It is the applicant's responsibility to clearly identify in their resume any paid internship that would qualify for consideration. Applicant must provide their transcript for verification purposes.

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.