Homeland Defender (Immigration Services Officer)

Applications for this job opportunity will be accepted from 9/30/2025 to 9/29/2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time, which may be different than the open period of this job bulletin. Additional application instructions are included below.

This position is in the Field Operations Directorate and is remote.

This position goes from GS-05, step 01 ($50,420 per year) to GS-07, step 10 ($81,198 per year), with promotion potential to GS-12, step 10. The actual salary will be set based on the grade, step, and location of the selectee(s) and/or position. View the 2025 Locality Pay Charts for more information.

Duties:

The responsibilities described are for the full performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope performed with less independence, and limited complexity.

• Conduct thorough and meticulous reviews of applications for immigration benefits to ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and policies.
• Conduct in-person interviews to elicit information or statements to assess credibility and identify inconsistencies. Prioritize national security, public safety, and the integrity of the immigration system by adhering to rigorous vetting standards.
• Exercise judgment and discretion in evaluating eligibility criteria, verifying documentation, and identifying potential fraud or misuse of immigration programs.
• Uphold the administration's commitment to enforcing immigration laws, promoting lawful pathways, and ensuring that benefits are granted only to individuals who meet the established requirements and contribute to the nation's security and prosperity.
• Use government systems to perform security checks in accordance with all applicable DHS/USCIS laws and policies; conduct file searches for aliases, dates of birth, and criminal behavior.
• Write well-organized, logical, often complex legal decisions and opinions that are clear, consistent with adjudicative standards and legislation, and are applicable to the facts of the case or which communicate USCIS policies and procedures.
• Complete and update administrative reports, systems, and security reporting requirements in accordance with applicable regulations and procedures.
• Research and interpret sources including immigration laws and regulations, operating instructions, legislative history, precedent decisions, state and local laws, and international treaties to determine adjudicative decision.
• Plan and conduct independent research concerning the eligibility and entitlement of persons seeking benefits, employment, and/or legal status under the Immigration and Nationality Act as amended.
• Provide direct support and assistance to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel and officials of other federal agencies.

Qualifications:

The qualifications for this position must be met by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on the closing date of this announcement. 

GS-05: You qualify at the GS-05 level if you possess three (3) years of general experience, one (1) year of which was equivalent to at least the GS-04 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:

• Analyzing problems, gathering pertinent data and recognizing solutions;
• Planning and organizing work to ensure timely completion;
• Communicating clearly, both orally and in writing. OR
• You may substitute successful completion of a Bachelor's degree or a full 4-year course of study in any field leading to a Bachelor's degree for the experience required at the GS-05 grade level. This education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university. One year of full-time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester or 45 quarter hours.

GS-07: You qualify at the GS-07 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, which is equivalent to at least the GS-05 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:

• Performing preliminary examinations of applications and petitions for immigration benefits, evaluating evidence and drafting appropriate correspondence;
• Ensuring required supporting documentation is included in application package(s) and applying necessary immigration laws, policies and procedures;
• Reviewing immigration benefit applications to determine adjudicative decision. OR
• You may substitute successful completion of one year of fulltime graduate education for the experience required at the GS-07 level. This education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university and demonstrate the skills necessary to do the work of the position. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise a year of graduate education. If that information is not available, use 18 semester or 27 quarter hours. OR
• You may also substitute superior academic achievement for the experience required at the GS-07 level. You must have completed the requirements for a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with either: (1) class standing in the upper third of a graduating class or major subdivision; or, (2) a grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale based on four (4) years of education or the final two (2) years; or, (3) a grade point average of 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final two (2) years of the curriculum; or, (4) membership in a national scholastic honor society.
   

How to Apply:

Applications must be submitted through USAJOBS to be considered.

1. Visit www.usajobs.gov and log in to your user account, or create an account if you do not have one.
2. Once you have created an account and logged in, click the apply button/link in this bulletin to view the full job opportunity announcement and apply. If the apply button/link does not work, visit https://uscis.usajobs.gov/job/847041700. 
3. Review the entire announcement for any additional requirements of the position and the required documents. 
4. Follow all directions in the "How To Apply" section of the USAJOBS announcement referenced above. Your complete application and all supporting materials must be received by 11:59pm Eastern Time on the closing date of the job announcement listed in USAJOBS.