Homeland Defender (Immigration Services Officer)

To qualify for the GS-05 level, you need three years of general experience (one year equivalent to GS-04) or a bachelor's degree. For GS-07, you need one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-05 or one year of graduate education. Time-in-Grade does not apply under Direct Hire Authority.

• GS-05: Three years of general experience, one year equivalent to GS-04, including analyzing problems, planning work, and communicating clearly. OR a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• GS-07: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-05, performing preliminary examinations of immigration applications, evaluating evidence, and drafting correspondence. OR one year of full-time graduate education. OR superior academic achievement (upper third of class, GPA 3.0+ overall or 3.5+ in major, or honor society membership).
• Combination of education and experience may qualify at GS-05 or GS-07.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
• Must pass a background investigation and drug screening.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service.
• Residency requirement: lived in the U.S. for 3 of the last 5 years, or worked overseas for the U.S. government, or been a dependent of such an employee.
• Must attend and successfully complete the USCIS Immigration Service Officer Basic (ISO BASIC) Training Program in Charleston, SC (approximately 5 weeks).
• Failure to meet the minimum exam average during training may result in removal.
• Probationary period of 1 year may be required.

Conduct thorough reviews of applications for immigration benefits to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and policies.

• Conduct in-person interviews to elicit information, assess credibility, and identify inconsistencies.
• Prioritize national security, public safety, and integrity of the immigration system by adhering to rigorous vetting standards.
• Exercise judgment in evaluating eligibility criteria, verifying documentation, and identifying potential fraud.
• Use government systems to perform security checks, including file searches for aliases, dates of birth, and criminal behavior.
• Write well-organized, logical legal decisions and opinions consistent with adjudicative standards and legislation.
• Complete and update administrative reports, systems, and security reporting requirements.
• Research and interpret immigration laws, regulations, operating instructions, legislative history, precedent decisions, state and local laws, and international treaties.
• Plan and conduct independent research on eligibility for benefits, employment, or legal status under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
• Provide direct support to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel.

U.S. Citizenship or U.S. National required.

• Successfully pass a Background Investigation including financial disclosure.
• Pass a drug screening.
• Submit resume and supporting documentation.
• Political appointees may require OPM approval before on-boarding.
• This position IS NOT considered 'essential' for purposes of reporting to work when the facility might otherwise be closed.
• Residency requirement: must have resided in the U.S. for 3 of the last 5 years, or worked overseas for the U.S. government, or been a dependent of such an employee.
• Must attend and successfully complete the USCIS ISO BASIC Training Program in Charleston, SC.

Complete benefits package as a federal employee, including health insurance, retirement, and paid leave.

• Eligibility for benefits depends on position type and work schedule (full-time, part-time, or intermittent).
• Access to a range of benefits designed to make your federal career rewarding.

This is an open continuous announcement until September 29, 2026. Initial cut-off date for referrals is October 6, 2025; additional cut-offs on October 13 and October 20, 2025, and as needed.

• The duty location is based on the address on your resume. Remote workers are not required to report to a USCIS worksite regularly but may be required to come periodically.
• Remote worker's official duty station is the employee's residence (must be within continental U.S., Hawaii, or U.S. territories).
• Salary range reflects highest potential; actual salary based on locality pay for selected duty location. View 2025 Locality Pay Charts.
• If selected, a suitability/security background investigation will be conducted.
• USCIS may fill one or more positions using this vacancy.
• Contact HROC Staffing Help Desk at 952-697-8380 or [email protected] for questions.
• The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities and disabled veterans to apply.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is a component of the Department of Homeland Security responsible for administering the nation's lawful immigration system. USCIS processes immigration and naturalization applications, adjudicates benefits, and promotes national security and public safety. The Service Center Operations Directorate oversees the processing of benefit applications at service centers nationwide. This role directly supports USCIS's mission by ensuring that immigration benefits are granted only to eligible individuals, contributing to the integrity of the immigration system.