Supervisory Adjudication Officer (Division Chief), Field Operations Directorate, Division 1 Job

Salary: $126,384 per year.

To qualify at the GS-15 level, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-14 in the federal government. This experience must include planning major agency initiatives, overseeing policy and operational programs, and advising senior management on complex issues. There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-14 level in the federal government.
• Experience planning and directing major agency-level initiatives and related programs.
• Experience overseeing major components of policy and operational programs, including all supporting functions.
• Experience serving as an expert or consultant to senior management on resolving extremely sensitive and complicated issues.
• Experience ensuring the development of nationwide policy and program.
• Experience directing research and analysis that impact immigration operations in an international setting.
• Current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service.
• Time-in-Grade requirement must be met by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on 08/05/2026.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
• Must pass a background investigation including financial disclosure and a drug screening.

Manages major components of immigration operational programs and their support functions.

• Directs operations related to the implementation of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
• Develops and implements new operational program activities or enhancements regarding field operations and day-to-day activities.
• Serves as an expert or consultant to senior management officials on the resolution of extremely sensitive and complicated immigration issues.
• Plans and directs major agency-level immigration projects and manages major components of immigration operational programs and their support functions.
• Conducts extensive research and analysis on immigration policy, laws, and regulations to evaluate programs and initiatives.
• Makes recommendations that may serve as the basis for new systems, legislation, regulations, or programs related to Field Operations Directorate (FOD) Programs.

You must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.

• 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.
• 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 three of the last five years, or worked overseas for the U.S. Government, or been a dependent of a U.S. Federal or Military employee serving overseas.
• You may be required to serve a twelve-month supervisory/managerial probationary period.
• You may be required to complete an appropriate supervisory training course within one year of assignment.

Health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance.

• Retirement plan and Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401(k)).
• Flexible Spending Account and Employee Assistance Program.
• Personal leave days and paid federal holidays.
• Flexible work schedules and telework (as determined by agency policy).
• Tuition reimbursement and transportation subsidies.
• Uniform allowance and health and wellness programs.
• Fitness centers and employee training and developmental opportunities.
• Disabled veteran leave for eligible veterans hired on or after November 5, 2016.

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all required assessments.

• You will be assessed on competencies including Accountability, Customer Service, Decisiveness, Flexibility, Interpersonal Skills, Problem Solving, and Resilience.
• Overstating qualifications or cheating on assessments may result in removal from consideration.
• Applicants who are referred to the hiring office may be required to complete a writing sample or other writing exercise as part of the selection process.
• CTAP eligible applicants must be rated at a minimum score of 77 to be considered well qualified.
• The best qualified applicants will be referred to the selecting official for further consideration and a possible interview.

Resume: Limit to no more than two pages. Use margins of at least 0.8 inches and font size of at least 11 point. Include job title (series and grade if federal), duties, employer name and address, supervisor name and phone number, start and end dates (mm/dd/year), full-time or part-time status with hours per week, and salary.

• Responses to the job questionnaire (submitted online, do not attach as a separate document).
• Veterans: Provide DD214 (member 4 copy) or SF-15 for 10-point preference. If applying under VOW Act, provide certification from the Armed Forces.
• Current or former Federal employees: Submit a copy of your official SF-50 showing appointment in competitive service, tenure, grade and step, and full performance level.
• CTAP/ICTAP eligible: Submit agency notice, most recent performance rating, and most recent SF-50.
• Current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee: Submit applicable SF-50 and a statement with position title, appointment type, agency, and beginning and ending dates.
• If relying on education: Provide transcripts from accredited institutions (though no educational substitution at this grade level).

To apply, open the official application portal and with your the official application portal/Login.gov account. Complete the online application questionnaire and attach all required documents, including a resume of no more than two pages. Submit your complete application package by 11:59 PM (ET) on August 5, 2026. After submission, you may be required to complete USA Hire Assessments.

• You will receive a unique assessment link via email. Set aside at least 3 hours for the assessments. If you cannot apply online, contact the HROC Staffing Help Desk at 952-697-8380 or [email protected] at least one business day before the deadline. Applications will not be accepted by mail.

This vacancy is limited to the first 50 applications received. All applications received before the limit is reached will be considered.

• If you edit your application after submission, it will be removed from consideration until you re-submit. The date of last submission determines cut-off criteria.
• Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP) recipients must repay the full amount if reemployed within 5 years.
• USCIS applies the Telework Enhancement Act of 2010 to its telework program.
• The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits DHS from requesting criminal history before a conditional offer of employment.
• DHS encourages persons with disabilities and disabled veterans to apply; special hiring authorities may apply.
• Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete Act may submit a written complaint to the Staffing Helpdesk.
• A final job offer is expected within 90 days after the application deadline.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is the federal agency responsible for administering the nation's lawful immigration system. As part of the Department of Homeland Security, USCIS processes immigration and naturalization applications, adjudicates petitions, and provides immigration services. The Field Operations Directorate oversees field offices that conduct interviews, adjudicate applications, and enforce immigration laws. This role is within Division 1, which manages operational programs and policy implementation.

Field Operations Directorate, Division 1 employment opportunities

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