Supervisory Legal Administrative Specialist

Citizenship and Immigration Services; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Thrift Savings Plan

Job summary

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) seeks a Supervisory Legal Administrative Specialist to lead asylum office administration. You will direct processes, coordinate research, and ensure compliant case handling for asylum and related benefits.

Ideal candidates have GS-11 level experience or equivalent education, with strong guidance, documentation, and workflow-improvement skills for a federal environment.

Qualifications

• 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09.
• Experience researching immigration status in systems/databases.
• Experience preparing documentation or reports related to immigration or administrative processing.
• Ability to provide guidance to colleagues or customers on immigration applications.
• doctoral degree or 3 years of graduate education may substitute for experience in some cases.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate workflow processes and improve operational efficiency.
• Research immigration status, eligibility, or other determinations in databases.
• Prepare documentation or reports related to immigration case processing.
• Provide guidance to colleagues or customers on immigration applications.
• Oversee administration of asylum and related benefits within the office.

Skills

Workflow analysis

Research immigration status

Documentation and reports

Guidance to colleagues

Education

Doctoral degree or 3 years graduate education or LL.M. (related field)

Job description

Overview

Protect your homeland and defend your culture. Join USCIS, America's frontline defense against illegal foreign infiltration and fraud. As a Supervisory Legal Administrative Specialist, you will share responsibility for the management and technical direction of a USCIS Asylum Office, including preparation, research, resolution and processing in the office's administration of applications for asylum and other benefits.

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.

Qualifications

The qualifications for this position must be met by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on 08/03/2026.

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 08/03/2026.

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:

• Evaluating workflow processes and recommending ways to improve operational efficiency;
• Using systems or databases to research or analyze immigration status, eligibility, or other legal determinations;
• Preparing documentation or creating reports related to immigration, legal, or administrative case processing;
• Providing guidance to colleagues or customers related to immigration applications or other legal determinations;

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 LL.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.

Please note this posting contains sensitive eligibility information and requirements as part of the federal application process. The following sections explain what is needed to complete the submission and what will be evaluated during review.