Citizenship and Immigration Services Logo
Position Title
Communication Specialist
Agency
Citizenship and Immigration Services
Announcement Number
12620625-IPO-ST-24 Opens in new window
Open Period
Tuesday, December 3, 2024 to Thursday, December 12, 2024
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
2.

Do you wish to be considered under the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) because you are a current DHS employee who has received an official notice stating that your position is no longer needed, or that you will be separated by reduction in force (RIF) and meet all of the following criteria?

  • Occupy a position in the same local commuting area of the vacancy, and
  • Occupy a position at or above the grade of the announced position and with no greater promotion potential, and
  • Have a current performance rating of at least "fully successful" or equivalent

For more information about CTAP eligibility, visit The Employee's Guide to Career Transition.

Proof is required. You must submit the following documentation to support your claim:

  • My most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), or equivalent, as stated in the job announcement that shows position occupied (block #34 of your SF-50); tenure; grade and step; salary; and, full performance level.
  • If my position occupied is "2 - Excepted Service" (block #34 of your SF-50), I have also included the initial SF-50, or other official Notification of Personnel Action, for that appointment.
  • Documentation of my Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a proposed removal/separation notice.
  • My latest performance rating of record.
(limit characters)
3. Do you wish to be considered as a current Federal employee who meets one of the following criteria?
  •  In a permanent position that is in the competitive service (see block #34 on your SF-50 for your position type)
OR
  • With an excepted service agency but can be hired into the competitive service because you meet the criteria of an Interchange Agreement. Additional information about current Interchange Agreements can be found here

Proof is required. You must submit the following documentation to support your claim:

  • Your SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), or equivalent, as stated in the job announcement. It is recommended that you submit your most recent SF-50 that shows your position occupied (block #34 of your SF-50); tenure; grade and step; salary; and, full performance level.
  • If your position occupied is "2 - Excepted Service" (block #34 of your SF-50), it is recommended that you also include the initial SF-50, or other official Notification of Personnel Action, for that appointment.
(limit characters)
4. Do you wish to be considered as a current Federal employee who meets one of the following criteria?

I have held, or currently hold either: 
  •  A permanent position in the competitive service (see block #34 of your SF-50) with the same or higher promotion potential of the position being advertised
OR
  • An appointment with an excepted service agency but can be hired into the competitive service because I meet the criteria of an Interchange Agreement, with the same or higher promotion potential of the position being advertised. Additional information about current Interchange Agreements can be found here. 
Note: If your position referenced above is not on the GS pay scale, your pay must be at or above the representative rate (step 04) of the full performance level of this position. 

Proof is required. You must submit the following documentation to support your claim:
  • Your SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), or equivalent, as stated in the job announcement. It is recommended that you submit your most recent SF-50 that shows your position occupied (block #34 of your SF-50); tenure; grade and step; salary; and, full performance level.
  • If your position occupied is "2 - Excepted Service" (block 34 of your SF-50), it is recommended that you also include the initial SF-50, or other official Notification of Personnel Action, for that appointment.
(limit characters)
5. Do you wish to be considered as a former Federal employee who previously held a permanent position that was in the competitive service (see block #34 of your SF-50) with the same or higher promotion potential of the position being advertised?

Note: If your position referenced above is not on the GS pay scale, your pay must be at or above the representative rate (step 04) of the full performance level of this position. 

Proof is required. You must submit the following documentation to support your claim:
  • Your SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), or equivalent, as stated in the job announcement. It is recommended that you submit your most recent SF-50 that shows your position occupied (block #34 of your SF-50); tenure; grade and step; salary; and, full performance level.
  • If your position occupied is "2 - Excepted Service" (block 34 of your SF-50), it is recommended that you also include the initial SF-50, or other official Notification of Personnel Action, for that appointment.
(limit characters)
6. Do you wish to be considered as a former Federal Employee in the civilian service who previously held a position that was in the competitive service and is eligible to be reinstated? (See block #34 on your SF-50 for your position type) 

More information about the eligibility requirements for reinstatement can be found here

Proof is required. You must submit the following documentation to support your claim:
  • Your SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), or equivalent, as stated in the job announcement. It is recommended that you submit your most recent SF-50 that shows your position occupied (block #34 of your SF-50); tenure; grade and step; salary; and, full performance level.
  • If your position occupied is "2 - Excepted Service" (block #34 of your SF-50), it is recommended that you also include the initial SF-50, or other official Notification of Personnel Action, for that appointment. It is also recommended that you submit the SF-50 showing your separation.
(limit characters)
7.

Do you wish to be considered under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) because you are a current or former Federal employee displaced from a position in a federal agency other than the agency hiring for this position and meet all of the following criteria?

  • Occupy a position in the same local commuting area of the vacancy, and
  • Occupy a position at or above the grade of the announced position and with no greater promotion potential, and
  • Have a current performance rating of at least "fully successful" or equivalent

For more information about ICTAP eligibility, visit The Employee's Guide to Career Transition.

Proof is required. You must submit the following documentation to support your claim:

  • My most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), or equivalent, as stated in the job announcement that shows position occupied (block #34 of your SF-50); tenure; grade and step; salary; and, full performance level.
  • If my position occupied is "2 - Excepted Service" (block #34 of your SF-50), I have also included the initial SF-50, or other official Notification of Personnel Action, for that appointment.
  • Documentation of my Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a proposed removal/separation notice.
  • My latest performance rating of record.
(limit characters)
8. Are you a current (or former) time-limited employee of one or more of the following Land Management Agencies or Base Facilities Management Agencies?

Land Management:
  • Department of Agriculture: Forest Service
  • Department of the Interior: Bureau of Land Management
  • Department of the Interior: National Park Service
  • Department of the Interior: Fish and Wildlife Service
  • Department of the Interior: Bureau of Indian Affairs
  • Department of the Interior: Bureau of Reclamation
Base Facilities Management:
  • The Department of Defense, Defense Industrial Base Facility
  • The Department of Defense Major Range and Test Facilities Base
To verify your eligibility, you must submit:
  • Copies of your Notification of Personnel Actions(s) (SF-50):
    • Showing you have served in the appropriate appointment(s) for a period/periods totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two (2) or more years.
    • You must also submit the initial hire action, extensions, conversion, and termination/separation SF-50s for each service period.
  • Appropriate documentation to verify your acceptable level of performance, which is supported by one or more of the following:
    • Performance rating(s) showing an acceptable level of performance for period(s) of employment signed by your supervisor;
    • A statement from your supervisor(s) or other individual in the supervisory chain indicating an acceptable level of performance for the period(s) of employment; or
    • A stated reason as to the reason the appraisal/documentation is not available and a statement that your performance for all periods was at an acceptable level, your most recent separation was for reasons other than misconduct or performance, and you were never notified that you were not eligible for rehire based on performance.
You must submit all required documents by the closing date of the announcement with your application package.
(limit characters)
9. Do you wish to be considered under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) because you meet one of the following criteria?
  • Are a preference-eligible veteran,
OR
  • Are a veteran separated from the armed forces after three (3) or more years of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions. 
Note: Veterans claiming eligibility on the basis of service in a campaign or expedition for which a medal was awarded must be in receipt of the campaign badge or medal.

Proof is required. You must submit the following documentation to support your claim:
  • DD-214 showing character of service, and
  • If applying based on your preference as a disabled veteran, you must submit your letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) showing the combined service-connected disability rating, or other acceptable documentation. 
See OPM's Vet Guide or SF-15 for more information.
(limit characters)
Preferences
1. I acknowledge the following conditions if I choose to submit my resume through the USAJOBS Resume Builder:
  • I understand that resumes submitted through USAJOBS Resume Builder are converted to a PDF format when they are transmitted to USA Staffing from the USAJOBS applicant interface and additional spaces/page gaps are added to resumes during the Resume Builder conversion process;
  • Based on the above conditions, I understand that USCIS strongly encourages me to save my resume to a PDF document and upload the PDF document instead of submitting my resume created through Resume Builder;
  • I understand that USCIS' human resources will only review the first 5 pages of my resume to determine eligibility/qualifications for this position;
  • By answering YES to this question, I am indicating that I have met this requirement for consideration.

(Note: Additional guidance regarding this requirement is available within the How to Submit Your Resume section of the USCIS Resume Requirement FAQs.)
(limit characters)
2. There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This residency requirement states that candidates must have, for three of the last five years immediately prior to applying for this position(s); (1) resided in the United States; OR (2) worked for the United States Government as an employee overseas in a Federal or Military capacity; OR (3) been a dependent of a U.S. Federal or Military employee serving overseas. Do you meet one of these requirements? (limit characters)
3. USCIS applies the Telework Enhancement Act of 2010 to its telework and remote work programs. Under the Telework Enhancement Act of 2010, there are two categories of federal employees that cannot participate in these programs at USCIS:
  1. An employee who has a record of adverse discipline for being absent without permission for more than five workdays in any calendar year; and
  2. An employee who has been officially disciplined due to actions related to misuse of government property for viewing, downloading, or exchanging pornography, including child pornography, on a federal government computer or while performing official federal government duties.
The bar on participation remains in effect for as long as the document stays in the employee's personnel file.
(limit characters)
4. I confirm that the Telework Enhancement Act of 2010 does not bar me from participating in the Remote Work program. (limit characters)
5. I acknowledge that I must notify my supervisor and obtain my supervisor's approval before making any change in my remote work location. (limit characters)
6. I understand that a change in remote work location may change my locality pay. (limit characters)
7. I acknowledge that my approved remote work location must have technology suitable to remote work. (limit characters)
8. I acknowledge that the government will not be responsible for operating costs, residence maintenance, or any other incidental costs (such as utilities, internet, etc.) associated with the use of my residence. (limit characters)
9. I understand that I must sign and adhere to USCIS Rules of Behavior (RoB) for users of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) systems and information technology resources that access, store, receive, or transmit sensitive information. (limit characters)
10. I understand that I may use government-furnished equipment (GFE) and property for official government business and limited personal use per DHS/USCIS policies. (limit characters)
11. I understand that I may have to bring or return GFE or property to a USCIS worksite for maintenance. (limit characters)
12. I understand that I must return all GFE, property, and materials to the USCIS organization at the end of my remote work arrangement or at management's request. (limit characters)
13. I understand and acknowledge that I am prohibited from using any type of mouse jigglers, also known as mouse movers, on USCIS workstations. Using mouse jigglers is a violation of the USCIS RoB and considered employee misconduct, which the USCIS Office of Investigations can investigate. (limit characters)
14. I understand that USCIS may require remote work employees to work within four hours' travel time of a USCIS worksite, so they can return and pick up files not only during normal business hours but also outside normal business hours if there is an emergency. (limit characters)
15. I acknowledge that, per USCIS Financial Management Manuals, I may or may not be entitled to travel reimbursement if I must travel from my remote work location (official duty station). (limit characters)
16. I acknowledge that management can reassign me, resulting in the end of my remote work agreement when it no longer meets USCIS' business needs. In this event, I understand that I have 14 calendar days under a local remote work agreement or 60 calendar days under a long-distance remote work agreement, to report to work at a USCIS worksite. Failure to report to the USCIS worksite as directed, may lead to disciplinary action, up to and including removal from federal service. (limit characters)
17. I acknowledge that management can end my remote work agreement when it no longer meets USCIS' business needs. In this event, I understand that I have 14 calendar days under a local remote work agreement or 60 calendar days under a long-distance remote work agreement, to report to work at a USCIS worksite. Failure to report to the USCIS worksite as directed, may lead to disciplinary action, up to and including removal from Federal service. (limit characters)
18. I understand that management may end my remote work agreement due to misconduct or performance issues. In such circumstances, management can direct me to work at a USCIS worksite, reassign me to another position at a USCIS worksite, or end my employment per applicable government rules and regulations, USCIS policy, or the Collective Bargaining Agreement. (limit characters)
19. I may ask to end my remote work agreement by providing written notice to my supervisor. Supervisors will consider the request on a case-by-case basis. Such requests, if approved, would require me to coordinate with my supervisor about the details of my transfer, at my expense, to the USCIS worksite. I would have to coordinate such details within 14 calendar days of approval under a local remote work agreement or within 60 calendar days of approval under a long-distance remote work agreement. (limit characters)
20. I acknowledge that remote work is not a substitute for dependent care and understand that I must arrange for dependent care during my scheduled work hours. (limit characters)
21. I understand that I must designate one work area at my remote worksite suitable for performing official government business. (limit characters)
22. I agree to give USCIS representatives access to my remote work location for routine worksite inspections during normal working hours. This is to ensure that my worksite meets acceptable safety standards; proper GFE and property maintenance, in compliance with local policy; and this agreement. I understand that failure to permit access to the alternative worksite (or designated work area) may result in suspension or termination of my participation in the Remote Work program. (limit characters)
Assessment 1
1. GS-14 - Which of the following statements best describes your experience? (limit characters)
2. You must provide the position title(s) and dates of employment referenced in your resume that demonstrates the experience related to your response. (limit characters)
3. This position has a time-in-grade (TIG) requirement to qualify at the GS-14. Have you completed 52 weeks in a position at or above the GS-13 grade level or equivalent? (limit characters)
The following section contains a multitude of question types. If you see a radio button, you can only select one response. If you see a checkbox, you may select all that apply. (limit characters)
4. Choose all statements below that best describe the communication and briefing skills you regularly utilized in support of agency goals and leadership. (limit characters)
5. Please select the types of information you have experience communicating: (limit characters)
6. I have paraphrased the thoughts and ideas of others as they are being communicated to develop a record (e.g., written record of oral communications, paraphrased into a voice recorder). (limit characters)
7. Select the communications activities you have completed. (limit characters)
8. Select the communication materials you have independently designed. (limit characters)
9. Choose the statement(s) below that reflect(s) your experience giving oral presentations in a professional setting. (limit characters)
10. Select the statement that describes your highest level of experience communicating information concerning programs and policy procedures. (limit characters)
11. What statements apply to your experience developing communication strategies designed to encourage employee innovation and participation in overcoming operational challenges and policy changes. (limit characters)
12. Which of the following describes your ability to provide effective communication to convey recommendations to various levels of leadership? (limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
13. Have you written technical bulletins that were posted on the intranet to inform customers of problems and actions that they can take to resolve the problems? (limit characters)
14. Select the audiences for whom you have prepared customer feedback presentations (e.g., briefings). (limit characters)
15. Which documents have you independently written? (limit characters)
16. If you are a Federal employee, is your most recent performance rating equivalent to a "pass," "satisfactory," or better? (limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
17. Your ratings in this Occupational Questionnaire are subject to evaluation and verification based on the documents and references you submit. Later steps in the selection process are specifically designed to verify your ratings. Deliberate attempts to falsify information may be grounds for not selecting you or for dismissing you from the position/agency. It is your responsibility to provide the responses, information, and documentation regarding your work history for us to determine your eligibility and qualifications for this position. By agreeing to the statement below, you are confirming that you: 1) understand this warning, 2) have reviewed your responses to this questionnaire for accuracy, 3) verify that your responses accurately describe your current level of experience and capability, and 4) that you have provided all of the information and documentation needed for us to determine your eligibility and qualifications for this position. (limit characters)