Refugee Officer (Headquarters)

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 REFUGEE OFFICER (HEADQUARTERS), you will:

• Serve as a specialist and/or recognized headquarters authority in all aspects of refugee adjudications relating to: developing refugee program standards, policies, and procedures, coordinating the long-range planning of new refugee programs, assessing the productivity, effectiveness and efficiency of refugee program operations, and serve as an expert in analyzing the impact of existing or proposed legislation on refugee programs.
• Serve as a liaison regarding operational guidance (policies and procedures) on refugee operations to internal and external stakeholders by identifying and collecting necessary program data from various sources and assembling and presenting results in written and/or oral form.
• Plan, manage, and direct assigned aspects of refugee operations and formulate specific policy for assigned areas.
• Lead in the organization, development, and implementation of multiple projects and advise top management on these projects by recommending the formulation and development of policies and procedures governing the execution of the U.S. Refugee Admission Program.
• Respond to complex and sensitive inquiries from a variety of sources concerning the full range of refugee adjudication procedures, laws, regulations, policies, and inquiries that may involve other service areas and adjudicate refugee cases that are sensitive, precedent-setting and have a national impact.
• Create, prepare, and design training materials, conduct studies of the training needs, and ensure completion of required training for agency personnel stationed overseas and participants in the refugee circuit rides.

Qualifications
GS-12: You qualify at the GS-12 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the federal government performing the following duties:

• Adjudicating applications arising under various sections of the Immigration and Nationality Act within the jurisdiction of the Refugee, Asylum, and International Directorate;
• Establishing identity and making a finding of eligibility for benefits by analyzing facts, examining documents for authenticity, and researching and analyzing appropriate information, law and country conditions.

GS-13: In addition to the qualifications at the lower grade level, you qualify at the GS-13 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the federal government performing the following duties:

• Analyzing refugee, asylum, or international field program operations with regard to production, quality and service to the public;
• Reviewing refugee, asylum, or related immigration benefits decisions to ensure proper application of all relevant guidance;
• Adjudicating difficult and sensitive immigration benefit cases that are discretionary, precedent-setting, have high visibility and are important to the agency;
• Preparing reports, analyses, and field guides in support of refugee, asylum, or international operations' program management objectives.

GS-14 In addition to the qualifications at the lower grade level, you qualify at the GS-13 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-13 level in the federal government performing the following duties:

• Adjudicating refugee, asylum, or related immigration cases that are sensitive, precedent-setting and have a national impact;
• Serving as an expert in the Refugee, Asylum, or International Operations program in formulating standards, policy, and procedures and governing the execution of the U.S. Refugee Admission Program;
• Conducting analysis regarding long-range planning of new refugee, asylum, or international operations programs while assessing productivity, efficiency and the effectiveness of program operations;
• Providing expert guidance in the organization, development, and implementation of multiple projects.

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 these grade levels.

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. These courses will last approximately seven weeks, and may, in some cases depending on the position, last up to eleven weeks. In addition, if you have not already done so, you will be required to attend the residential, paid BASIC Immigration Officer training program, lasting approximately six weeks, at a USCIS training facility. The trainings 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.

Travel: Some travel will be required. Circuit rides to overseas locations may last 45-60 days. While overseas, a Refugee Officer performs work in a variety of locations, some of which may be physically challenging and may involve working in inhospitable climates, in remote camp settings, or in environments of high security. Political or other unpredictable events may sometimes force sudden adjustments of schedule or work hours. The officer must possess the ability to adjust to unexpected changes in work assignments while maintaining a courteous and professional demeanor. The officer must be physically resilient and flexible enough to adjust to living and working conditions that sometimes involve extreme temperatures, harsh working and living facilities, and long arduous travel.