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Special Assistant

Department of Homeland Security
Citizenship and Immigration Services
Human Capital and Training (HCT), Front Office

Summary

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

As a Special Assistant, you will be responsible for providing advice and guidance on an array of complex, sensitive, and critical issues essential to advancing the agency and HCT's mission.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted today · Apply by 06/05/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 5, 2026
Location
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$107,446 - $139,684 per year

The actual salary will be set based on the grade, step, and your location, see the "How To Apply" section of the announcement for details.

Pay scale & grade
GS 14
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Temporary promotion - Refer to the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section of the announcement for more details.
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
12966938-HCT-IMP-26
Control number
870690400

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

LOCAL COMMUTING AREA: Current U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) employees of the HCT office with competitive status, USCIS CTAP or USCIS RPL eligibles and RAIO overseas employees approved for rotation.

Duties

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  • Advises Human Capital and Training (HCT) senior leadership on the strategic development, implementation, and evaluation of USCIS and HCT programs, policies and projects.
  • Directs complex matters regarding the budget, human resources, procurement, logistics, travel, and administrative needs of the agency.
  • Provides subject matter expertise and interpretation of relevant legislative or judicial matters to HCT senior leadership for the formulation and implementation of policies, programs, plans and procedures.
  • Manages and coordinates with HCT senior leadership a wide-range of sensitive and confidential special assignments of great interest and concern to HCT, and communicates and collaborates with leadership across the organization.
  • Establishes and fosters effective working relationships with various internal and external stakeholders to facilitate the planning and directing of critical agency-wide programs.
  • Researches and prepares written correspondence, memoranda, briefings or other relevant documentation that provide guidance on complex program issues.
  • Guides the analysis and resolution of complex programmatic issues.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

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 a drug screening
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with the Selective Service
  • Political appointees may require OPM approval before on-boarding
  • USCIS applies the Telework Enhancement Act of 2010 to its telework program
This position IS NOT considered "essential" for purposes of reporting to work when the facility might otherwise be closed.

LOCAL COMMUTING AREA: This job is for individuals who currently reside within the local commuting area or, if selected, are willing to establish their permanent residence within the local commuting area of the announced duty location(s) you are applying for.

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.

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

Qualifications

The qualifications for this position must be met by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on 06/05/2026.

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 06/05/2026.


GS-14: You qualify at the GS-14 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, which is equivalent to at least the GS-13 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 majority of the following duties:
  • Leading large-scale analytical projects on the administration and implementation of Human Resources programs to detect operational deficiencies.
  • Advising senior leadership on areas of weakness and recommending long-range solutions for improvement.
  • Interpreting ambiguous legislative, regulatory, and policy guidance as it pertains to various HR programs to formulate policy improvements.
  • Recommending and implementing revisions to existing policies, guidance, and procedures.
  • Maintaining regular and effective communication with internal and external agency contacts to keep stakeholders informed of major program changes.
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 06/05/2026. You must upload your resume under the "Resume" category. Resumes submitted under the "Other Documents" category will not be considered. Your most recently submitted 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.

Education

EDUCATIONAL SUBSTITUTION: There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP): Per 5 CFR 576.202, An employee who receives a Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP) and later accepts employment for compensation with the Government of the United States within 5 years of the date of the separation on which the VSIP is based, including work under a personal services contract or other direct contract, must repay the entire amount of the VSIP to the agency that paid it (proof of payment is required) before the individual's first day of reemployment.

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 Personnel Management guidance and U.S. Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.

Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.

Common definitions for hiring terms found in this announcement.

Additional information

Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation. This may include a review of financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. The background investigation process is initiated after a selection is made. For more information visit the OPM Mythbuster Page.

If a SECRET or TOP SECRET clearance is needed or the position is designated a Sensitive National Security position, all selected candidates must meet the requirements for these clearances or Sensitive National Security position prior to placement AND maintain that level of clearance or national security eligibility while encumbering the position.

DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

It is our responsibility to eliminate any risks to national security, public health, and public safety that could be posed by individuals who use illegal drugs. This position may be subject to random testing as a condition of employment. A positive drug test or refusal to be tested will result in disciplinary action, up to and including removal from Federal service.

Note: If you previously retired from the Federal service and are receiving an annuity, your salary may be offset by the amount of your annuity.

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Homeland Security and its Components from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to our Staffing Helpdesk.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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 based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position.

THIS IS A TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENT NOT TO EXCEED (1) ONE YEAR BUT MAY BE EXTENDED FOR AN ADDITIONAL YEAR UP TO A TOTAL OF FIVE (5) YEARS. THE SELECTEE(S) MAY BE CONVERTED WITHOUT FURTHER COMPETITION, IF THE POSITION BECOMES PERMANENT. SELECTEES WHO ARE NOT CONVERTED TO PERMANENT POSITIONS WILL RETURN TO THEIR FORMER POSITION OF RECORD OR LIKE POSITION(SAME GRADE, FULL PERFORMANCE LEVEL AND LOCATION),AFTER COMPLETION OF THE TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENT.

Subject matter experts (SMEs) will review your resume to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on the required specialized experience. SMEs will not review additional information beyond your resume (e.g., cover letter, links embedded in your resume). Applicants passing the structured resume review will move on to the next phase of the assessment process.

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

To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12966938.

Special Employment Consideration:The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR § 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR § 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.

Citizenship and Immigration Services

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is the government agency that oversees lawful immigration to the United States. USCIS upholds America's promise as a nation of immigrants and fosters a culture of opportunity and growth. USCIS addresses fraud, national security, and public safety concerns that may be detected within the immigration benefit process. To help USCIS deliver on our mission, we rely on our proud and dedicated workforce who work tirelessly to protect the United States and its citizens through legal immigration adjudication and fraud detection.

If you're ready to help safeguard the nation's immigration system and combat immigration fraud, review the HOW TO APPLY section for steps to prepare for your online applications.

Visit uscis.gov/careers for more information.

Agency contact information

HROC Staffing Help Desk

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