Immigration Services Officer

Full Job Description

Protect your homeland and defend your culture. Join USCIS, America's frontline defense against illegal foreign infiltration and fraud.

As an Immigration Services Officer, you may conduct in-person interviews to adjudicate applications for immigration benefits and assist other federal agencies in identifying those who pose a threat to national security and public safety.

The qualifications for this position must be met by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on 02/13/2026.

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 02/13/2026.

GS-09: You qualify at the GS-09 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the federal government, which has equipped you with the skills needed to successfully perform the duties of the position.

You must have experience performing the following duties: Examining, evaluating evidence, and analyzing immigration benefits documents received for authenticity.

Researching, analyzing and applying appropriate immigration laws, policies and procedures. Making determinations for immigration benefits based on reviews of applications in coordination with policies.

OR You may substitute a Master's degree or 2 full years of graduate education leading to such a degree in any field or a J.D. or L.L.B. degree for experience required at the GS-09 grade level.

Such education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position.

Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise two years of graduate education. If that information is not available, use 36 semester or 54 quarter hours.

GS-11: You qualify at the GS-11 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the federal government, which has equipped you with the skills needed to successfully perform the duties of the position.

You must have experience performing the following duties: Making final determinations on non-sensitive, routine immigration matters related to the Immigration and Nationality Act, or representing applicants on non-sensitive, routine hearing or appeal requests involving immigration matters.

Determining applicant credibility, analyzing evidence, and applying statutory requirements, regulations, judicial and administrative precedents.

Researching and writing well-organized, complex legal decisions consistent with adjudicative standards and legislation.

OR You may substitute a doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent degree) or three (3) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in any field, or L.L.M.

if related for experience at the GS-11 grade level or such education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position.

Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise three years of graduate study. If that information is not available, use 54 semester or 81 quarter hours.

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, which has equipped you with the skills needed to successfully perform the duties of the position.

You must have experience performing the following duties: Researching and analyzing immigration laws, policies, regulations, and precedent decisions to determine the eligibility and entitlement of immigration benefits.

Analyzing information and documents to determine credibility and eligibility and writing final determinations with legal analysis to support decisions.

Making final determinations on sensitive, complex immigration cases involving eligibility for citizenship and immigration benefits; or preparing legal briefs or other written memoranda that advocate for a determination in complex hearing or appeal cases.

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 02/13/2026.

Your resume will be used to determine your qualifications for the position advertised in this announcement.

Therefore, your resume must highlight your most relevant, significant experience related to the requirements found in the qualification section of this announcement, as well as any applicable education.

Limit your resume to no more than two pages. The USAJOBS database will not allow an applicant to submit an application that includes a resume over two pages.

To help ensure your resume remains clear and easy to read, we recommend using margins of at least 0.8 inches and a font size of at least 11 point.

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.

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.

Note: Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.

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. Major Duties:

• Organizational Location: This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, within Spokane Field Office and are assigned based on the need of the agency.
• The responsibilities 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.
• Screening and vetting to grant or deny complex applications and petitions for immigration benefits based on electronic or paper applications, petitions, and in-person interviews.
• Research and interpret sources including immigration laws and regulations, operating instructions, legislative history, precedent decisions, state and local laws, and international treaties to determine adjudicative decision.
• Plan and conduct independent research concerning the eligibility and entitlement of persons seeking benefits, employment, and/or legal status under the Immigration and Nationality Act as amended.
• Conduct preliminary fact-finding and initiate further action where information indicates fraud has been detected.
• Use government systems to perform security checks in accordance with all applicable DHS/USCIS laws and policies; conduct file searches for aliases, dates of birth, and criminal behavior.
• Write well-organized, logical, often complex legal decisions and opinions that are clear, consistent with adjudicative standards and legislation, and are applicable to the facts of the case or which communicate USCIS policies and procedures.
• Complete and update administrative reports, systems, and security reporting requirements in accordance with applicable regulations and procedures.
• Conduct in-person interviews (screening and vetting) to elicit information or statements to assess credibility and identify inconsistencies.
• Provide direct support and assistance to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel and officials of other federal agencies.