Passport Specialist (Entitlement Specialist)

Full Job Description

This position is located within the Bureau of Consular Affairs, Passport Agency, Special Issuance Agency (CA/PPT/SIA).

The incumbent serves as a Passport Specialist on entitlement to special-issuance passports with responsibility for analyzing and advising on a broad range of highly complex entitlement matters, contributing to the resolution of policy and operational issues.

SIA issues diplomatic, official, service, and no-fee regular passports, and supports visa processing.

Applicants must meet all the required qualification requirements described below by the closing date of this announcement.

NOTE: Applicants must meet time-in-grade and time after competitive appointment requirements, by the closing date of this announcement Time-In-Grade Requirements: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions, per 5CFR 300, Subpart F.

Applicants applying for the GS-12 grade level must meet one of the following requirements: Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position.

Qualifying specialized experience may have been gained in work such as developing, examining, investigating, adjudicating, or authorizing claims arising under the immigration and/or nationality laws of the United States.

Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following: Adjudicating passport applications involving complex entitlement determinations, including analysis of citizenship, nationality, and eligibility issues in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and FAM/FAH guidance.

Providing technical guidance and case-specific recommendations on non-routine, sensitive, or escalated passport cases, ensuring consistent application of entitlement criteria and adjudication standards.

Conducting quality reviews, audits, or analyses of passport adjudications to identify compliance issues, procedural gaps, or training needs, and recommending corrective actions to improve accuracy and efficiency.

There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-12 position.

Applicants applying for the GS-13 grade level must meet one of the following requirements: Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position.

Qualifying specialized experience may have been gained in work such as developing, examining, investigating, adjudicating, or authorizing claims arising under the immigration and/or nationality laws of the United States.

Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level, which includes: Serving as a recognized subject matter expert on highly complex, sensitive, or unprecedented passport entitlement matters, independently resolving cases involving conflicting or incomplete legal, regulatory, or policy guidance.

Leading or coordinating program-level analyses, audits, or special projects, including developing recommendations that influence operational practices, adjudication procedures, or entitlement policy.

Drafting, interpreting, or revising authoritative policy guidance, including FAM/FAH updates, exception-to-policy memoranda, or senior leadership decision documents, and advising management and interagency partners on entitlement determinations.

There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-13 position. Major Duties:

• Plans and conducts comprehensive analyses of the highly complex adjudication requirements and issuance process associated with determining entitlement to special-issuance passports to ensure full compliance.
• Plans and coordinates high priority special projects, analyses, entitlement reviews, investigations, and technical initiatives.
• Serves as the U.S. Government's recognized authority on the resolution of highly complex, difficult, sensitive and/or unique entitlement matters and cases concerning special-issuance passports.
• Establishes and maintains regular contact with relevant points of contact at agencies throughout the U.S. government.
• Develops and presents training to SIA staff in adjudicating special-issuance cases.