Special Assistant

Citizenship and Immigration Services; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

USCIS is seeking a SPECIAL ASSISTANT to advise on program plans, goals, and milestones, and to participate in policy formulation for department-wide programs. You will research and write reports that provide authoritative guidance on complex issues and help manage policy-related projects.

Responsibilities include consulting with management, leading major initiatives, negotiating recommendations, and developing guidance on broad program areas to strengthen integration across offices.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience at or equivalent to GS-13 level in the federal service.
• Time-in-Grade requirements must be met by the deadline stated in the posting.

Responsibilities

• Serving as a consultant or advisor to management on resolving issues that affect programs.
• Managing special projects for major office or program issues of broad impact.
• Negotiating with management to implement recommendations on program or policy issues.
• Implementing new initiatives and projects to strengthen, facilitate, and integrate programs.
• Developing and analyzing policy guidance on complex program areas.

Job description

Protect your homeland and defend your culture. Join USCIS, America's frontline defense against illegal foreign infiltration and fraud. As a SPECIAL ASSISTANT, you will recommend program plans, goals, and milestones, actively participate in policy formulation and review liaison activities for department-wide programs, and research and write reports or other working documents that provide authoritative guidance on complex and wide-impacting program issues.

The qualifications for this position must be met by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on 08/31/2026. 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 08/31/2026. 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.

Key Responsibilities

You must have experience performing the majority of the following duties:

• Serving as a consultant or advisor to management on resolving issues that significantly affect various programs.
• Managing special projects for major office or program issues of broad impact.
• Negotiating with management to implement recommendations on program/policy issues.
• Implementing new initiatives and projects to strengthen, facilitate, and integrate programs.
• Developing and analyzing policy guidance on complex program areas.

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.