Immigration Assistant - US Embassy

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) has an opening for the position of Immigration Assistant. The closing date for the position is June 5, 2015.

Minimum Requirements

Qualifications Required:

• Completion of high school is required.
• A total of five years of experience is required: One to three years of progressively responsible 
• experience in processing or researching petitions and applications for immigration benefits, or other closely related experience; Two years’ experience dealing with members of the public in a customer service office environment; and two years in general clerical experience is required.
• Level IV (fluent) English and Level III (good working knowledge) Kiswahili ability is required.  

Other Criteria

• Must have working knowledge of local laws and practices related to documentation, certificates, 
• and licenses.
• Must have good working knowledge of applicable laws, precedent decisions, regulations, and operating instructions.
• Must be able to research routine applications and petitions and to apply applicable provisions of established immigration law.
• Must have had experience with US immigration laws/regulations.
• Must have had experience working with refugee/asylee populations.
• Must have computer skills in MS Word and Excel  

Job Specification

BASIC FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION

The incumbent provides authoritative recommendations on the proper disposition of complex applications and petitions for immigration benefits.  S/he serves as the regional Locally Employed Staff (LES) point of contact for State Department staff in 14 countries within the jurisdiction of USCIS Nairobi’s office, as well as the public, on a wide range of immigration matters.  S/he advises applicants and petitioners on the applicable courses of action and evidentiary requirements.  

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES                                                                

1. Processes Petitions and Applications - 35 % of Time                                                                           Provides recommendations to the supervisor on the proper disposition of routine applications and petitions for immigration benefits where applicability of the Immigration and Nationality Act is clear and supporting documentation is readily acceptable, requiring little supervisor review.   The applications and petitions include primarily the Petition for Alien Relative (I-130), Orphan Petition (I-600), Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Resident Status (I-407), Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition (I-730), Application for Waiver for Grounds of Excludability (I-601), Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission into the United States after Deportation or Removal (I-212), Request for Travel Document (I-131),  and less frequently, transportation or boarding letters.  Determines which cases require further investigation based on established guidelines and criteria. Refers all complex cases to supervisor for examination. Case processing involves:

• Conducting indices checks
• Evaluating documents (such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, divorce decrees, adoption decrees) and certifications.
• Consulting existing USCIS files and databases.
• Interviewing applicants, petitioners and other individuals to assemble background information and prepare forms to provide to the Immigration Officer for adjudication.
• Searching Department of Homeland Security databases
• Maintaining Alien-Files (A-files) and related records.  
•  Preparing routine correspondence for the supervisor to review and sign.
• Preparing record-of-proceeding packets to accompany applicants’ appeals to denials of I-130s, I-601s, and I-212s.
• Compiling monthly statistical reports of all work performed. 

2.  Provides Information to Petitioners, Applicants and Government Officials - 30 % of Time

Addresses inquiries on a range of US immigration topics.  Questions visitors and callers to determine the precise nature of their inquiries.  Provides information about forms and USCIS processing of applications and petitions to prospective and actual applicants and petitioners and their representatives, as well as U.S. government officials, telephonically, in writing and in person.  Works the window, gathering relevant information for scheduled appointments and providing information on a variety of applications and petitions to the public.  Responds to status inquiries by checking relevant databases for current information.  Determines which communications should be directed to other USCIS staff.  

3. Controls Administrative Requirements/Monitors Adjudicative Needs of Refugee Processing Teams - 25 % of Time 

Serves as control officers for approximately eight teams of refugee officers that arrive for 6-8 week regional refugee processing tours each year.  Responsibilities include securing accommodations, transportation and country-clearances.  Also provides cell and satellite phones and other supplies such as a cooking trunk for team use in the region.  Monitors available work for team members who wish to extend their tours for International Field Office experience. 

4.  Back-up and Other Duties - 10 % of Time                                                                       Serves as backup to other immigration staff during periods of absence in full range of duties to include compiling reports and controlling the movement of sensitive files.  Also performs other duties as assigned, such as English translations of correspondence, interpretation during interviews when needed, and preparation of field office reports and other written materials.

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