Visa Specialist

The position is located in the Bureau of Consular Affairs, Visa Services Directorate, Office of Domestic Operations, Diplomatic Liaison Division (CA/VO/DO/DL). The Division screens and adjudicates visas for diplomatic missions (A), international organizations (G), and NATO, and is unique as it is the only organization with visa adjudication authority remaining in the United States. Adjudicates nonimmigrant visa applications in accordance with relevant laws and regulations. Ensures records related to processing visa applications are complete and appropriate. Prepares various written materials to clarify or interpret visa regulations, policies and requirements pertaining to the Diplomatic Liaison office and provides advice and guidance. Develops or refines guidelines for fraud detection. At the GS-11 level, the incumbent performs essentially the same duties as outlined; however, the scope and complexity of assignments are of less responsibility and independence and receives closer supervision than the full performance level (GS-12). Applicants must meet all the required qualification requirements described below by the closing date of this announcement. NOTE: Applicants must meet time-in-grade and time after competitive appointment requirements, by the closing date of this announcement. Time-In-Grade Requirements: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions, per 5CFR 300, Subpart F. To qualify for the GS-11, you must meet A, B or C as follows: A. At least one year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service, that demonstrates the ability to plan and coordinate program activities and the ability to make decisions; the ability to communicate orally and to meet and deal; the ability to assemble data, analyze management problems and recommend solutions; the ability to research, interpret and apply regulatory and precedent material; the ability to communicate in writing; and the ability to interpret statistical data. Qualifying specialized experience may have been gained in work such as developing, examining, investigating, adjudicating, or authorizing claims arising under the immigration and/or nationality laws of the United States. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following: Experience with interpreting and/or analyzing rules, regulations, and policies related to the processing of U.S. visas (official and diplomatic); Experience communicating analysis of U.S. visa requirements to others in written form; Experience communicating, presenting and/or collaborating with others on matters related to U.S. visa policies and procedures. B. A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or have successfully completed three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree. Major field of study should be public administration, political science, or other field related to this position. C. A combination of specialized experience as described in A and more than two years of graduate education as described in B which totals at least one year. To compute, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of graduate education beyond two years by 18. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. If you are qualifying based on education, you must submit a copy of your college transcript with your application, and if selected, an official college transcript will be required to verify education prior to employment. To qualify for the GS-12: Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience may have been gained in work such as developing, examining, investigating, adjudicating, or authorizing claims arising under the immigration and/or nationality laws of the United States. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following: Experience with interpreting and/or analyzing rules, regulations, and policies related to the processing of U.S. visas (official and diplomatic); Experience communicating analysis of U.S. visa requirements to others in written form; Experience communicating, presenting and/or collaborating with others on matters related to U.S. visa policies and procedures; Experience negotiating deadlines, solutions, and outcomes with interagency interlocutors and other key contacts. See the qualifications section of this vacancy announcement for education requirements. When an applicant has less than one year of specialized experience as described in the announcement, he or she may combine successfully completed graduate-level education with experience to meet the total qualification requirements. Generally, 18 graduate semester hours is equivalent to 1 full-time year of graduate study (your school and department determine what constitutes 1 full time year of graduate study). The percentage of specialized work experience (for example, 6 months equals 50%) and the percentage of graduate study (for example, 9 graduate hours for a GS-07 equals 50% where 18 graduate hours constitute a full time year) must total at least 100%. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For a list of accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials, visit: www.naces.org/members.php.