Asylum Officer

Citizenship and Immigration Services; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in Boston seeks a highly qualified Asylum Officer (GS-13) to determine asylum eligibility, with collaboration with FDNS to identify fraud.

The role involves analyzing complex asylum cases, performing non-adversarial interviews, and applying asylum laws to make determinations. Applicants must have 1 year of specialized federal experience at GS-12, and are expected to meet time-in-grade requirements for federal employment.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the federal service.
• Experience writing decisions or determinations on complex asylum cases.
• Experience adjudicating asylum cases and communicating asylum policies effectively.

Responsibilities

• Write legal decisions or determinations on complex asylum cases.
• Adjudicate asylum adjudications through non-adversarial interviews and apply asylum laws to make determinations.
• Communicate asylum-related policies and procedures effectively to elicit information.

Skills

Legal decision writing

Asylum adjudications

Policy communication

Job description

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 determine whether an individual qualifies for asylum, statutory withholding of removal, or withholding or deferral of removal under the CAT; and work in collaboration with FDNS to identify individuals and organizations who seek immigration benefits by fraudulent means.

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 09/18/2026.

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 09/18/2026.

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:

• Writing legal decisions or determinations on complex asylum cases;
• Adjudicating complex asylum adjudications through non-adversarial interviews and applying knowledge of asylum laws to make legal determinations;
• Communicating asylum related policies and procedures effectively to elicit information.

Determining length of General or Specialized Experience is dependent on the above information and failure to provide the above information may result in your removal from consideration.

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.