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 LEGAL INSTRUMENTS EXAMINER (IMMIGRATION STATUS VERIFICATION), you will:

• Conduct verification issue resolution by researching, evaluating, adjudicating, and providing responses to DHS supported employers and a wide range of state and federal agencies.
• Exercise a comprehensive understanding and application of immigration law, classification, forms, records, and USCIS policies when researching, and resolving verification referrals.
• Communicate directly with agency customers and the general public via mail, telephone, and computer regarding employment-related or immigration benefit-related casework.
• Conduct research and in-depth reviews of immigration documents in an effort to confirm applicant identity in determining a person's legal status and work authorization eligibility.
• Participate in various studies, working groups, and testing of new business systems. Develops background information for studies, compiling statistical data from testing and evaluation, and gathers, summarizes, and reviews information for incorporation into final reports.
• Manage sensitive files and documents as well as available resources to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse. Safeguards personally identifiable information (PII) and ensures those standards are maintained in all aspects of work.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National to apply for this position.
• Successfully pass a background investigation including financial disclosure
• You must pass drug screening.
• Meet relevant experience and/or education requirements.
• Current Federal employees must meet Time-in-Grade requirements.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
• Political appointees may require OPM approval before on-boarding.

Probationary Period: You may be required to serve a probationary period of 1 year.

The qualifications for this position must be met by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on the closing date of this announcement 05/19/2017.

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 the closing date of this announcement 05/19/2017.

Residency Requirement: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This residency requirement states that candidates must have, for three of the last five years immediately prior to applying for this position; (1) resided in the United States; OR (2) worked for the United States Government as an employee overseas in a Federal or Military capacity, OR (3) been a dependent of a U.S. Federal or Military employee serving overseas.

Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.

Qualifications

• Using computers and software applications to enter and retrieve data;
• Answering routine procedural questions;
• Searching records and files in response to various inquiries.

You may substitute successful completion of 4 years above high school for the experience required at the GS-05 grade level. This education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university. One year of full-time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester or 45 quarter hours.

GS-06: In addition to the requirements at the lower grade level, you qualify at the GS-06 grade level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-05 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:

• Searching databases and documents for relevant information;
• Reviewing legal documents for missing information by applying basic fact-finding methods;
• Providing excellent customer service in interpersonal situations.

GS-07: In addition to the requirements at the lower grade levels, you qualify at the GS-07 grade level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-06 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:

• Reviewing and verifying the accuracy and completeness of submitted documents;
• Conducting research and organizing findings;
• Compiling information from documents and databases to create spreadsheets and reports.

GS-08: In addition to the requirements at the lower grade levels, you qualify at the GS-08 grade 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:

• Using systems and databases to determine proper immigration status for employment eligibility;
• Applying existing immigration policies and procedures to adjudicate status verification referrals;
• Managing individual assignments or daily caseloads to ensure timely completion.

GS-09: In addition to the requirements at the lower grade levels, you qualify at the GS-09 grade level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-08 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:

• Providing technical expertise in using systems and databases to determine proper immigration status or employment eligibility;
• Researching and interpreting policies and procedures related to status verification cases.
• Applying evaluative methods and techniques to resolve verification referrals;
• Evaluates work processes and recommends ways to improve operational efficiency.

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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated for this position based upon information reflected in your resume. Your resume must support your responses to the job specific assessment questionnaire, level of education claimed, experience, and/or training. To remain in consideration for this position, please ensure your resume covers this requirement and that your resume has been successfully submitted as part of your on-line application package.

The competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job are:

• Customer Service
• Integrity/Honesty
• Manage and Organizes Information
• Reasoning
• Self-Management
• Technical Competence

Creation of this package includes completing the on-line assessment questionnaire, uploading your resume, and uploading any required supporting documents.

NOTE: Your resume and supporting documentation will be verified. If you rated yourself higher than what is supported by your application material, you may be excluded from consideration for this job. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

If you are found best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. To preview the job questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10010883.

Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles
If you have never worked for the Federal government, you are not CTAP/ICTAP eligible. Information about CTAP or ICTAP eligibility can be found by clicking here to access OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified under CTAP/ ICTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 95 for this position. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement.