About this role
Job SummaryProtect your homeland and defend your culture. Join USCIS, America's frontline defense against illegal foreign infiltration and fraud. As an International Field Office Director, you represent USCIS to administer its programs and interests abroad and provide technical and administrative supervision to subordinate staff, including planning work, adjusting short-term priorities, responding to emergencies, and evaluating performance.
QualificationsThe qualifications for this position must be met by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on 08/06/2026. 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 08/06/2026. 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. You must have experience performing the majority of the following duties: Managing a staff who review and/or process immigration-related applications and petitions (such as citizenship applications, parole requests, family and employment based petitions and/or applications for asylum or refugee status) and conduct fraud investigations; Administering benefits and services involving eligibility for citizenship, family or employment-based immigration, asylum, refugee or parole status, and/or other immigration benefits; Making final determinations on complex and sensitive immigration benefits cases that are discretionary, have high visibility and are of great importance to the agency; and Developing operational guidance for adjudicating immigration and naturalization petitions and applications with fraud, criminal, and national security risks. Training: If you have not already done so, you will be required to attend the training that relates to this position as required by the agency. The trainings may last multiple weeks and may be held in-person or virtually. The trainings must be completed successfully according to the standards of the agency. Failure to do so will be grounds for mandatory removal from the position. Such failure will result in either reassignment to a different position, demotion, or separation by appropriate procedures. Medical Clearance: You and accompanying eligible family members will be required to obtain a worldwide Department of State Medical Clearance (Level 1). Cost of Living Allowance and Home Leave: Cost of living allowance and home leave will be determined in accordance with U.S. Department of State policies. Hardship Post Differential: Where applicable, post hardship differential will be determined in accordance with Department of State policies. Allowances: Certain allowances that apply to employment outside of the United States are determined in accordance with U.S. Department of State regulations and policies. Depending on your location and family composition, these may include: Cost of Living Allowance (also known as Post Allowance) Post (Hardship) Differential Danger Pay Rest and Recuperation Travel (R&R) Home Leave Educational Allowance See the Department of State Standardized Regulations ("DSSR") for country-specific allowances. Previous USCIS International Assignment: Unless this international rotational assignment is a promotion over his or her prior international position, a person who has previously served in a USCIS international position and has returned to a USCIS domestic position is not eligible to apply for this international rotational assignment unless he or she has been in a position in the U.S. for a minimum of the past 3 years as of the closing date of this announcement. Tour of Duty: The initial duration of this international rotational assignment is 2 years with the possibility of two 1-year extensions amounting to a possible maximum total of four years (2+1+1), excluding time spent on home leave. Management may authorize an exception to the four-year limitation due to management need or in the case of a promotion to another international position. Please read the following important information to ensure you submit everything we need to consider your application: It is your responsibility to ensure that you submit your responses and appropriate documentation prior to 08/06/2026. You must upload your resume under the "Resume" category. Resumes submitted under the "Other Documents" category will not be considered. Your most recently submitted resume will be used to determine your qualifications for the position advertised in this announcement. Therefore, your resume must highlight your most relevant, significant experience related to the requirements found in the qualification section of this announcement, as well as any applicable education. Limit your resume to no more than two pages. The USAJOBS database will not allow an applicant to submit an application that includes a resume over two pages. To help ensure your resume remains clear and easy to read, we recommend using margins of at least 0.8 inches and a font size of at least 11 point. Be clear and specific when describing your work history since Human Resources cannot make assumptions regarding your experience. Your application will be rated and ranked based on your responses to the online questions. Please ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information: Job Title (include series and grade if Federal Job) Duties (be specific in describing your duties) Employer's name and address Supervisor name and phone number Start and end dates including month, day and year (e.g. June 18 2007 to April 05 2008) Start and end dates for each grade/pay level if you've held a federal position. Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week) Salary Determining length of General or Specialized Experience is dependent on the above information and failure to provide the above information may result in a finding of ineligible. Note: Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Federal Experience: If you are using current or prior federal experience as a basis for qualifying for this position, the grade levels and length of employment (mm/dd/year) at each grade level must be listed in your work history. This information will be further validated if selected for this position. 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.
Major DutiesSupervise and guide administrative and technical work performed within the international office’s jurisdiction. Ensure that the activities performed meet legal, administrative, and quality standards and goals established by USCIS.Conduct reviews to monitor operational performance and establishes internal controls in order to develop new techniques and improve operational efficiency.Develop, design and implement formal quality reviews across all product lines within the office to identify best practices and areas for improvement. Develop and implement changes in processes as necessary as a result of these reviews.Oversee complex and sensitive adjudication of applications, petitions, and requests for immigration benefits. Engages in liaison activities with domestic and international USG and foreign government officials within the office’s jurisdiction.Coordinate the prevention and deterrence of fraud, criminal, and national security risks in the administration of USCIS immigration benefit programs, pursuant to the Agency’s Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS) programEstablish and execute yearly budget plans to meet the office’s goals and objectives. Adjust resources to meet workload demands posed by unpredictable migration patterns, political upheavals, natural disasters, and/or national security challengesManage human resource management for both USCIS employees and locally employed staff working in the office including performance management, awards, disciplinary actions, training/coaching, and complaints/grievances.Ensure the goals of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) are met by taking positive steps to assure the accomplishment of affirmative action objectives and by adhering to nondiscriminatory employment practicesEffectively assist employees and their families in transitioning to and from their international assignments.RequirementsConditions of Employment: You must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National to apply for this position Successfully pass a Background Investigation including financial disclosure You must pass a drug screening Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with the Selective Service Political appointees may require OPM approval before on-boarding USCIS applies the Telework Enhancement Act of 2010 to its telework program This position IS considered "essential" for purposes of reporting to work when the facility might otherwise be closed. Residency Requirement: 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; (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. Supervisory/Managerial Probationary Period: You may be required to serve a twelve-month probationary period upon appointment to this position. You may also be required to complete an appropriate supervisory training course within one year of assignment to this position.