Policy Analyst

This Policy Analyst 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 Policy Analyst, you will serve as the principal subject matter experts responsible for implementing immigration policy objectives within the Office of Policy and Strategy. Key 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. • Develops and drafts new immigration policies and regulations based on available data and internal and external input to ensure effective coordination and integration with USCIS goals and objectives. • Serves as a spokesperson for the office and agency with interested internal and external stakeholders on various national security, public safety, and benefit integrity-focused immigration programs, policies, and positions. • Leads inter- and intra-agency working groups on a range of immigration issues specific to national security, public safety, benefit integrity, and information sharing and provides recommendations to achieve agency policy objectives. • Develops and delivers oral and written briefings, talking points, and publications for leadership to address complex immigration issues and screening and vetting measures that impact USCIS and DHS senior leadership decisions. • Conducts research and balanced assessments on immigration policies, statutes, directives, and regulations to support the development of policy guidance. • Analyzes and devises solutions to resolve and mitigate risks and benefits of various immigration policy proposals. Qualifications: The qualifications for this position must be met by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on 11/02/2026. 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 11/02/2026. Application Limit: This vacancy is limited to the first 50 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-submit your application. The date your application is last submitted will be used to determine whether you meet the cut-off criteria. 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: Ability to interpret and apply the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), regulations, and policies relating to national security, public safety, and information sharing; Experience in working on immigration benefit programs that relate to national security and public safety. Ability to implement policies and initiatives related to all immigration benefit programs and apply knowledge of national security, public safety, and information sharing; Assist with developing office policies, procedures, and developing guidance on various immigration policy matters related to immigration benefit programs that relate to national security and public safety; Acting as an organizational liaison with representatives from other offices and departments to develop and implement new policies and procedures that relate to national security, public safety, and information sharing. 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 majority of the following duties: Interpreting and applying the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), regulations, and policies relating to national security and public safety immigration issues; Assessing and evaluating various immigration policies and initiatives and how they impact and relate to national security or public safety in immigration benefit programs; Knowledge of USCIS screening and vetting procedures for immigration benefits. Experience in coordinating sensitive immigration matters with external agencies. Interpreting and providing guidance on various immigration policy matters related to immigration benefit programs, specifically relating to national security, public safety, information sharing, and screening and vetting procedures; Acting as an organizational representative with other government officials or organizations to explain national security and public safety policy positions and elicit feedback and input; Leading a team or project to develop and implement complex immigration policies that relate to national security and public safety. Experience in screening and vetting systems for background and information sharing. 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 11/02/2026. 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.