Special Assistant

SummaryProtect 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 advance the agency's mission. DutiesHelp• Organizational Location:This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, within the Office of Intake and Document Production and are assigned based on the need of the agency.• Serves as a personal consultant and principal advisor to management on critical projects and programs. • Provides expert advice and guidance on complex issues and significant program elements essential to the agency's mission, requiring extensive research and analysis. • Recommends initiatives and changes to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of program operations, advising on approaches to avoid or resolve problems and reduce conflicts. • Exercises independence and authoritative judgment in developing and maintaining relationships with stakeholders, actively participating in policy formulation, and serving as a liaison for critical agency-wide programs.• Conducts research and prepares comprehensive reports and documents addressing complex program issues while collaborating with subject-matter experts. • Recommends short and long-range plans, goals, objectives, and milestones that influence substantive organizational changes. RequirementsHelpConditions of employmentConditions 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• You must submit resume and supporting documentation• 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 programThis position IS NOT considered "essential" for purposes of reporting to work when the facility might otherwise be closed.LOCAL COMMUTING AREA:The address listed on your USA Jobs profile or resume must show that you reside within the local commuting area of the announced duty location, unless on an approved exemption* OR currently located at an approved USCIS location. In these cases you can apply for any location. • An approved exemption is defined as a military spouses, approved work at home Reasonable Accommodation, or temporary long distance remote status. • * An approved USCIS location is defined as pre authorized space designated for use by the program, office or directorate.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. QualificationsThe qualifications for this position must be met by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on 12/12/2025. 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 12/12/2025. Application Limit:This vacancy is limited to the first 25 applications received. All applications received prior to midnight 11:59 PM (ET) of the day the application limit is reached will be accepted and considered.If the application limit is not reached by the closing date of the announcement, all applications received during the open period will be considered. Any required documents must be submitted at the time that you apply as documents will not be accepted past the day the application limit is reached, if applicable. If you choose to edit your application after it has been submitted, it will be removed from consideration until you re-. The date your application is last submitted will be used to determine whether you meet the cut-off criteria.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 following duties:• Maintaining relationships with internal and external stakeholders while serving as a liaison for agency-wide programs. • Conducting in-depth research and delivers comprehensive reports and documents to office leadership in order to provide critical insights to support complex decision-making.• Identifying challenges, evaluating options, and recommending initiatives to improve efficiency, resolve conflicts, and enhance program operations. • Designing strategic plans that align with agency goals while adapting to evolving priorities. 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 12/12/2025. Your 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)• SalaryDetermining 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.FederalExperience: 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. EducationEDUCATIONAL SUBSTITUTION: There is no educational substitution at these grade levels. 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 informationBackground 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. Expand Hide additional informationCandidates 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. BenefitsHelpA 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. DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers.DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHSCareers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service- connected disability rating of 30 percent or more. Review our benefitsEligibility 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. Apply tot his job