Summary
This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), Field Operations Directorate and may serve in a Field Office or at the National Benefits Center. This is an entry level position. The employee receives formal and on-the-job training to acquire and develop the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to perform applicant services, adjudicative services, and support fraud detection activities. When performing job responsibilities directly related to adjudications and applicant services, the incumbent is charged with translating the law, regulation, policy and practices, under the Immigration and Nationality Act, into benefits for millions of immigration benefits applicants every year. When performing job responsibilities directly related to and supporting fraud detection, these responsibilities are consistent with the national effort directed by USCIS' Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate.
Responsibilities
Adjudications– Incumbent will perform these tasks at least 25% of the time
Shadows and observes more senior officers as they grant or deny applications and petitions for immigration benefits based on electronic or paper applications/petitions by applying the rules of evidence, considering criminal activities and fraud, applying precedent decisions, and following USCIS policies. As the incumbent develops, he/she may begin working less complex cases with oversight. Shadows and observes more senior officers as they research, interpret, and analyze an extensive spectrum of sources including pertinent sections of the law and regulations, operating instructions, references and guidance contained in legislative history, precedent decisions, state and local laws, international treaties and other legal references to embrace the correct course of action related to immigration benefits. As the incumbent develops, he/she may conduct less complex research, interpretation and analysis with oversight. Under the guidance of more senior officers, gather information using a variety of methods including document review, electronic systems checks, interviews, etc. to assist the more senior officer to make adjudicative decisions on immigration benefit applications/petitions. Shadows and observes more senior officers as they use government systems to perform security checks in accordance with all applicable DHS/USCIS laws and policies; conducts file search for aliases and dates of birth, derogatory information, and criminal behavior; reports all instances of fraud or suspected fraud, including misrepresentation of identity and material facts, submission of fraudulent or altered documents, and patterns discerned by review and analysis of submitted petitions and applications; identifies and prioritizes files with national security threats and public safety issues. Becomes aware of current national and local fraud trends such as marriage fraud rings, fraudulent employment based filings, State Department Fraud Reports, and other local trends identified by the local fraud detection unit by shadowing/observing more senior officers in their adjudicative duties. Shadows and observes more senior officers as they apply the rules of evidence and criminal procedure to protect the constitutional rights of the applicant or petitioner; apply appropriate risk-management skills including the ability to determine when a decision can be made with all available evidence or when it might be necessary to request additional evidence. Under the oversight of more senior officers, participates in fact finding and supports enforcement personnel where information indicates fraud has been detected. Works closely with other functions of USCIS to ensure full compliance with, or enforcement of, immigration laws. Shadows and observes more senior officers as they screen cases prior to Adjudication for fraud indicators.
Shadows and observes more senior officers as they contact external agencies such as other DHS components including ICE and CBP, Department of State, Department of Justice, as well as state, local, and tribal government agencies in an effort to verify, request or supply information related to immigration applications. As the incumbent develops, he/she may begin contacting external agencies with oversight. Applicant Services Shadows and observes more senior officers as they provide applicant/petitioner/beneficiary support including liaison with internal and external stakeholders, problem resolution, and in-person services. As the incumbent develops, he/she may begin providing applicant/petitioner/beneficiary support with oversight. Under the guidance of more senior officers, research and draft various standard communication vehicles, including: informational documents and reports, standard statements and paragraphs which address specific criteria or specific applications and petitions and letter templates that cover a broad range of national and local circumstances.
Shadows and observes more senior officers as they contact external agencies such as local police departments, other DHS components including ICE, CBP, and Department of State, Department of Justice, as well as state, local, and tribal government agencies in an effort to verify, request or supply information related to immigration applications.
Perform other duties as assigned.