Fresh Listing

Posted: February 18, 2026 (1 day ago)

This job was posted recently. Fresh listings typically have less competition.

Supervisory Appeals Officer

Citizenship and Immigration Services

Department of Homeland Security

Fresh

Location

Salary

$169,279 - $197,200

per year

Closes

February 27, 2026More DHS jobs →

GS-15 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $123,041 - $159,950

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-14. Senior leader or top expert.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job involves leading a team of supervisors and appeals officers who review and decide on complex immigration appeals, motions, and certifications to ensure fair and accurate decisions.

It requires managing staff performance, improving office processes, and applying immigration laws to tricky cases.

A good fit would be someone with strong leadership experience in legal or government settings, especially in immigration or administrative law, who enjoys overseeing teams and solving detailed problems.

Key Requirements

  • One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-14 level in federal service
  • Deep knowledge of immigration law, policies, and procedures
  • Experience recommending changes to regulations, policies, procedures, and systems
  • Skilled in fact-finding, analytical techniques, and interpreting complex legal and factual situations
  • Proven ability to develop and implement plans for improving office quality, effectiveness, and efficiency
  • Strong supervisory skills, including managing staff performance, providing counseling, and feedback
  • Ability to work effectively with diverse teams across different backgrounds and skills

Full Job Description

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

As a Supervisory Appeals Officer you will be responsible for the management and oversight of supervisors and their teams of appeals officers who adjudicate complicated and sensitive appeals, motions, and certifications within the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO).

The qualifications for this position must be met by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on 02/27/2026.

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 02/27/2026 GS-15: You qualify at the GS-15 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, which is equivalent to at least the GS-14 level in the federal government, that equipped you with the skills needed to successfully perform the duties of the position.

You must have experience performing the following duties: Applying immigration law, policy and procedures to all immigration related matters.

Recommending changes to regulations, policy, procedures and systems to improve operations.

Employing a broad range of fact finding and analytical techniques and interpreting varied and complex legal and factual situations.

Developing and implementing plans to improve quality, effectiveness and efficiency of an office. Supervising staff and managing their performance effectively.

Handling employee performance management, providing counseling and feedback for employees. Working effectively across various teams with different backgrounds and skills.

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 02/27/2026.

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 the Administrative Appeals Office and are assigned based on the need of the agency.
  • Ensure the consistent, accurate, and timely application of existing laws, policies, and procedures in USCIS appellate decisions.
  • Formulate, develop, analyze, and oversee policies and procedures governing the division's activities.
  • Identify gaps in law, policy, or process that affect USCIS, the AAO, or the division.
  • Draft or review high-level documents on legal and technical matters.
  • Assist in identifying, coordinating, and assessing training needs of appellate supervisors and officers.

Check your resume before applying to catch common mistakes

Browse Similar Jobs

Posted on USAJOBS: 2/18/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 2/18/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: 12887671-AAO-IMP-26