Adjudication Officer

This Adjudication Officer position is with Citizenship and Immigration Services (Department of Homeland Security) in Phoenix, AZ. Protect your homeland and defend your culture. Join USCIS, America's frontline defense against illegal foreign infiltration and fraud. As a Senior Adjudication Officer, you will support Parole Operations in the development, maintenance, and coordination of programmatic guidance and oversee RAIO cross-divisional work that could include Form I-131, Form I-290B, processing child-related immigration issues and other cross-cutting RAIO work. Key duties: • Interpret, apply and enforce an intricate field of Immigration and Nationality laws, including planning and conducting independent research concerning the eligibility entitlements of persons seeking immigration benefits under the INA. • Perform analysis of cross-cutting programmatic needs; provide instrumental expertise in the initiation and formulation of policies and procedures in adjudications and immigration programs, and prepare implementing changes. • Develop standard operating policies and procedures designed to maximize efficiency and technology use, detect and prevent benefit fraud, improve work quality and productivity of operations, and monitor progress to determine objectives are being met. • Research and/or analyze problems and issues, make recommendations on sensitive cases within USCIS and from the Department of State and other entities, and prepare decision papers for leadership when necessary. • Develop, maintain and coordinate guidance and oversight related to matters such as parole including child-related immigration issues, Form I-131, and Form I-290B motions to reconsider and reopen. Qualifications: The qualifications for this position must be met by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on 09/04/2026. 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 09/04/2026. GS-13: You qualify at the GS-13 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, which is equivalent to at least the GS-12 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 majority of the following duties: Providing advice, direction and guidance on a variety of complex adjudications (e.g. refugee and asylum, follow-to-join adjudication, travel document processing and/or child-related workloads.). Researching and making recommendations on complex and sensitive immigration benefits cases that are discretionary and potentially precedent setting. Providing training, coaching, or mentoring to ensure quality and consistency in the adjudication process. Providing guidance, direction, and support on policy matters for immigration services. 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 09/04/2026. You must upload your resume under the "Resume" category. Resumes submitted under the "Other Documents" category will not be considered. Your most recently submitted 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) Salary Determining 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. Federal Experience: 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. View the full announcement and apply on USAJOBS.gov.