Mission Support Specialist

Citizenship and Immigration Services; Tustin (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Citizenship and Immigration Services is seeking a Mission Support Specialist to provide administrative and management services, plus technical and analytical duties for the Asylum Office. The role includes liaison activities and handling special assignments to support the mission.

Candidates must meet GS qualifications with experience reporting, briefing managers, and applying policies. This federal position emphasizes rigorous documentation, coordination, and policy implementation

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience at GS-07 level or higher.
• Master's degree or two years of graduate education leading to such a degree may substitute for experience.
• A doctoral degree or three years of graduate study may substitute for experience at higher grades.

Responsibilities

• Collect information for reporting and studies.
• Represent the office with internal or external parties to resolve discrepancies.
• Prepare and deliver studies, reports, or briefings to managers.
• Manage projects or cases impacting a team or broader scope.
• Apply new legislation, regulations, or policies to programs.

Skills

Specialized experience

Reporting and briefing

Liaison activities

Education

Master's degree/Graduate education substitute

Doctoral degree equivalence substitute

Job description

Protect your homeland and defend your culture. Join USCIS, America's frontline defense against illegal foreign infiltration and fraud. As a Mission Support Specialist, you will be responsible for a full range of administrative and management services, technical and analytical duties, a variety of liaison activities, and special assignments related to the mission of the Asylum Office.

The qualifications for this position must be met by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on 09/21/2026. 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 09/21/2026.

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-09

You qualify at the GS-09 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, which is equivalent to at least the GS-07 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:

• Collecting or gathering information for reporting purposes.
• Representing the office with internal or external parties to resolve discrepancies.
• Preparing and delivering studies, reports, or briefings to managers.

OR You may substitute a Master's degree or two (2) full years of graduate education leading to such a degree in any field, or a J.D. or L.L.B. degree for experience required at the GS-09 grade level. Such education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise two years of graduate education. If that information is not available, use 36 semester or 54 quarter hours.

GS-11

You qualify at the GS-11 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, which is equivalent to at least the GS-09 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:

• Assisting in the preparation or implementation of policies, procedures, or new processes.
• Managing projects or cases that impact a team or broader scope.
• Applying new legislation, regulations, or policies to various programs.

OR You may substitute a doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent degree) or three (3) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in any field, or L.L.M. if related for experience at the GS-11 grade level or such education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise three years of graduate study. If that information is not available, use 54 semester or 81 quarter hours.

GS-12

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:

• Preparing or analyzing documents or reports consistent with policies and regulations.
• Conducting research and interpreting policies to make assessments on assigned workload.
• Analyzing programs and providing recommendations for improvement.

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 09/21/2026.