Asylum Officer

Protect your homeland and defend your culture. Join USCIS, America's frontline defense against illegal foreign infiltration and fraud. As an Asylum Officer, you will engage in the administration of Immigration and Nationality laws pertinent to the Asylum Program, serve as a USCIS representative on asylum matters, and support the strategic mission and resource management of the Asylum Division.

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 DHS Careers 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.

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.

The qualifications for this position must be met by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on 08/10/2026. 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 08/10/2026.

You qualify at the GS-12 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, which is equivalent to at least the GS-11 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:

• Making final adjudicative determinations on complex immigration benefits.
• Applying relevant laws, regulations, guidelines and procedures to make lawful determinations on immigration benefits.
• Liaising with governmental or nongovernmental partners, including the public, to gather pertinent information for adjudicative review.

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 technical guidance to staff who review or process immigration-related applications or protection screenings.
• Making recommendations to program areas that support immigration processes.
• Engaging with stakeholders to execute priorities of a program area.

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:

• Developing short and long-range goals for program area(s) that include evaluations and recommendations of ongoing functions.
• Overseeing implementation of programs and providing technical support as needed.
• Representing agency or organization in interactions with high-level officials or the public to gather trust and credibility.

Employment at the San Francisco Asylum Office provides an exciting opportunity for staff to work in both downtown San Francisco and our newly established Oakland Branch. Both locations are accessible through public transportation, and travel between the two offices is quick and convenient. While staff members will be assigned to the SF duty station, employees may be expected to work out of the Oakland Branch.

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…