Asylum Officer

Citizenship and Immigration Services; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Long-term care insurance

Retirement plan

Thrift Savings Plan

Flexible Spending Account

Employee Assistance Program

Personal leave days

Paid federal holidays

Flexible work schedules

Telework

Tuition reimbursement

Transportation subsidies

Uniform allowance

Health and wellness programs

Fitness centers

Job summary

Citizenship and Immigration Services in Arlington, VA seeks a Senior Asylum Officer to adjudicate complex asylum applications, guide lower-graded officers, and help shape organizational guidelines. This federal role emphasizes accuracy, ethics, and customer service in immigration benefits processing.

The position requires one year of specialized experience at GS-12 level and experience in asylum adjudication, case management, and legal analysis.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-12 in the Federal service.
• Experience adjudicating asylum, refugee, or immigration benefit decisions is preferred.
• Ability to provide direction, guidance, and training to lower-graded staff.
• Knowledge of immigration laws, policies, and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Adjudicate complex asylum applications.
• Provide guidance to lower-graded officers and analysts.
• Make recommendations on organizational guidelines and procedures.
• Support quality and efficiency in immigration case processing.

Skills

Interviewing applicants

Guidance to staff

Legal analysis

Case management

Job description

Protect your homeland and defend your culture. Join USCIS, America's frontline defense against illegal foreign infiltration and fraud. As a Senior Asylum Officer, you will adjudicate complex asylum applications, provide guidance to lower-graded officers and analysts who adjudicate or screen applications for immigration benefits, and make recommendations on organizational guidelines and procedures.

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.

• 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
• paid federal holidays
• flexible work schedules
• telework
• tuition reimbursement
• transportation subsidies
• uniform allowance
• health and wellness programs
• 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 10/05/2026.

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 10/05/2026.

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:

• Interviewing or eliciting information from applicants for asylum, refugee, or other immigration benefits;
• Providing guidance, direction, or support on matters related to immigration services, case management, or legal compliance;
• Reviewing written legal analysis or other written memoranda related to immigration benefit decisions;
• Analyzing and evaluating immigration case management or adjudication processes to improve efficiency, quality, and customer service;

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.