6-month non-reimbursable assignment with the possibility of extension.
Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman (CIS Ombudsman)
Community Outreach Specialist
Series Requested: 0301
Security Clearance: None
Virtual/Remote: Yes Only current, full-time federal employees are eligible. Resumes are reviewed every 30 days until selection/closing date. This is a Detail, not a Developmental Rotation. Supervisory approval form must be signed.
Summary
6-month non-reimbursable assignment with the possibility of extension.
Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman (CIS Ombudsman)
Community Outreach Specialist
Series Requested: 0301
Security Clearance: None
Virtual/Remote: Yes Only current, full-time federal employees are eligible. Resumes are reviewed every 30 days until selection/closing date. This is a Detail, not a Developmental Rotation. Supervisory approval form must be signed.
This detail opportunity is for current competitive and excepted service employees only. If
you are not a current federal civilian employee you will not be eligible for this position. DHS Joint Duty Assignments do not apply to members of the Military service or contractors.
The Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS Ombudsman) mission is to assist individuals and employers in resolving problems with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) by providing individual case assistance and making recommendations. The candidate will serve as a community outreach specialist in the CIS Ombudsman's Public Engagement (PE) team. The PE team hosts stakeholder meetings, listening sessions, and national webinars to gather stakeholder feedback and engage with the public. The team also promotes open and transparent communication between USCIS, applicants and petitioners, and other immigration stakeholders, such as national and international organizations and businesses, foreign embassies and consulates, community-based organizations,educational institutions, congressional offices, and local/state/federal government entities.
MAJOR DUTIES:
- Under the direction of PE leadership, develop, plan, implement, and evaluate public engagements - such as stakeholder meetings, webinars, listening sessions, conferences, etc. (primarily at the national level) - related to immigration benefits, services, and other issues.
- Perform direct outreach and public affairs activities, such as contacting and communicating with stakeholders; drafting/clearing/posting web updates, stakeholder message, social media, tip sheets, and other materials; and identifying and coordinating translations and interpretations for PE products.
- Establish and maintain these partnerships to promote dialogue about CIS Ombudsman and USCIS policies and programs through engagements on the national and local level.
- Participate in working groups, task forces, and advisory committees and subcommittees (including with other federal agencies).
- Advise senior management on engagement strategies, policies, programs, and stakeholder feedback on topics related to immigration challenges faced by individuals and employers. Collaborates with other CIS Ombudsman teams as needed to meet stakeholder needs.
- Plan and execute engagements to support the office's annual goals and strategic plans. This includes coordinating sessions with speakers, drafting and clearing agendas and flow of shows, developing presentations, managing IT logistics to support engagement sessions, taking notes, creating and entering data from the feedback, and all other duties needed to hold successful engagements and follow-up efforts.
- Support the PE team in reporting on its work, such as drafting reports, responding to information inquiries, and creating/cleaning/maintaining data on stakeholder engagements and feedback.
- Support the PE chief and assistant chiefs in other duties as assigned.
Must have supervisory approval to apply to the Joint Duty Assignment. DHS 250-2 Application Form under "required documents" section.
Must NOT have any pending/outstanding disciplinary actions
Must have achieved a minimum of "meet expectations/proficiency" on latest performance appraisal/evaluation
Must be currently at the grade level of the detail. *No Temporary Promotion Opportunity*
The program does not apply to members of the Military service or contractors.
Qualifications
Qualifications required:
Ability to help develop engagement strategies and plans at the headquarters level and to implement engagements, webinars, and other sessions to support those plans.
Ability to write, edit, and clear talking points, scripts, presentations, briefings, correspondence, outreach materials, standard procedures, reports, web and social media content, and other documents in plain language to ensure they adhere to established guidelines.
Ability to prepare and brief senior leaders and presenters for engagements and ensure consistency and accuracy of materials and communications throughout clearance.
Ability to track data and metrics related to public engagement and outreach efforts and ensure that the information reaches the widest possible immigration audience.
Knowledge of immigration processes and policies is a plus.
Please read the following important information to ensure we have everything we need to consider your application:
It is your responsibility to ensure that you submit appropriate documentation prior to the closing date. Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant experience as it relates to this Joint Duty assignment opportunity announcement.
Be clear and specific when describing your work history since human resources cannot make assumptions regarding your experience. Your application will be rated based on your resume.
Please ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information:
Job Title (Include series and grade of Federal Job)
Duties (Be specific in describing your duties)
Name of Federal agency
Supervisor name, email, and phone number
Start and end dates including month and year (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
Education
EDUCATIONAL SUBSTITUTION: There is no educational substitution for this position.
Additional information
**DHS does not offer any additional benefits beyond that which the Federal employee is already receiving.
If the position requires a security clearance, employees must have a SECRET or TOP SECRET clearance to placement AND must maintain that level of clearance while performing in the position.
Selected applicants for a JDA are requested to fulfill the items below during the JDA:
Complete the DHS Training Course 15 days prior to the arrival to the JDA.
Complete the DHS Joint Duty Assignment Progress Plan to include:
Phase 1: Establish assignment objectives within the first 30 days of the JDA.
Phase 2: Complete a self-assessment of the duties performed at the mid-point of the JDA.
Phase 3: Complete a final review within the last 30 days of the JDA.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your experience, education, and training will be rated using a job questionnaire based on the competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this Joint Duty Assignment.
If you are among the best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. After reviewing your resume and supporting documentation, a determination will be made. You must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement.
Note: DHS continues to take necessary steps to keep our workforce safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic. If you receive a final Joint Duty Assignment offer to onboard, please complete the onboarding requirements and/or forms and submit them electronically in an expeditious manner. Your start date may be delayed if the action above is not completed.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
1. Resume: Do not include any personally identifiable information (PII) i.e., home address, social security number, or date of birth. Your resume must clearly demonstrate you have experience which meets the requirements of this position as outlined in the "Qualifications" section.
2. SF-50: Submit a copy of your official SF-50 (no text version) or other official "Notification of Personnel Action" document which shows the following information:
Your appointment in the Federal service
Tenure
Grade and Step
Full performance level
If your SF-50(s) does not provide the information needed to make a final determination for qualification, you will be found ineligible for the position.
3. DHS Joint Duty Assignment Application Form signed by your supervisor. Please click on the following link to access the required form DHS Form 250-02.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 01/27/2025 to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and other supporting documents, and complete the questionnaire.
Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link, and then select the more information link for this position. The Application page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Department of Homeland Security Headquarters
OCHCO/HRMS/MS #0170
6595 Springfield Center Drive
Springfield, VA 20598-0170
US
Next steps
Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the selecting official for further consideration and a possible interview. We will notify you by email at various stages in the process. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information." We expect to make a final JDA offer within 90 days after the deadline for applications. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.
Telework: Telework eligibility is based on the needs of the office and is subject to change.
Additional information pertaining to your interest and availability for this position may be needed after the closing date of the Joint Duty Assignment vacancy announcement; therefore, a timely response to these requests must be adhered to in order to remain in consideration.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
1. Resume: Do not include any personally identifiable information (PII) i.e., home address, social security number, or date of birth. Your resume must clearly demonstrate you have experience which meets the requirements of this position as outlined in the "Qualifications" section.
2. SF-50: Submit a copy of your official SF-50 (no text version) or other official "Notification of Personnel Action" document which shows the following information:
Your appointment in the Federal service
Tenure
Grade and Step
Full performance level
If your SF-50(s) does not provide the information needed to make a final determination for qualification, you will be found ineligible for the position.
3. DHS Joint Duty Assignment Application Form signed by your supervisor. Please click on the following link to access the required form DHS Form 250-02.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 01/27/2025 to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and other supporting documents, and complete the questionnaire.
Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link, and then select the more information link for this position. The Application page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Department of Homeland Security Headquarters
OCHCO/HRMS/MS #0170
6595 Springfield Center Drive
Springfield, VA 20598-0170
US
Next steps
Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the selecting official for further consideration and a possible interview. We will notify you by email at various stages in the process. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information." We expect to make a final JDA offer within 90 days after the deadline for applications. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.
Telework: Telework eligibility is based on the needs of the office and is subject to change.
Additional information pertaining to your interest and availability for this position may be needed after the closing date of the Joint Duty Assignment vacancy announcement; therefore, a timely response to these requests must be adhered to in order to remain in consideration.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
