** OPERATIONS SUPPORT SPECIALIST**

**Department of Homeland Security**

** San Juan PR Field Office**

This position is located in Field Operations Directorate, Office of Field Operations, District 24, San Juan PR Field Office.

As an **Operations Support Specialist**, you will provide a variety of management services essential to the direction and operation of USCIS, assist management in administering policies and procedures, and provide advice and instruction to fellow your employees.

**Location**

1 vacancy in the following location:

**Duties**

* The responsibilities described are for the GS-09 level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope performed with less independence, and limited complexity.

* Utilize various software packages (word processing, spreadsheets, databases, etc.) to create, edit, print, and retrieve files.

* Establish and maintain files, order routine equipment, supplies and services, develop standard operating procedures (SOPs), and draft and edit correspondence.

* Provide the upkeep and ensure accuracy of a variety of logs and records to support property management or inventory control.

* Communicate verbally with various levels of employees and management in order to obtain and provide information.

* Collect, compile, and submit information for reports, analyze data and extract information (including from graphs, charts, etc.), and assist in decision-making.

* Assist in locating and selecting the proper administrative procedure or technical instruction or manual for others to perform their work.

**Requirements**

** Conditions 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

* You must submit resume and supporting documentation

* Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with the Selective Service

* Political appointees may require OPM approval before on-boarding

**The qualifications for this position must be met by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on the closing date of this announcement.**

**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 the closing date of this announcement.**

This position **is not** in the bargaining unit.

This position **is not** 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.

**Background Investigation:**To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation. This may include a review of financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. The background investigation process is initiated after a selection is made. For more information visit the .

If a **SECRET** or **TOP SECRET** clearance is needed or the position is designated a Sensitive National Security position, all selected candidates must meet the requirements for these clearances or Sensitive National Security position prior to placement AND maintain that level of clearance or national security eligibility while encumbering the position.

**Probationary Period:** You may be required to serve a probationary period of 1 year.

** Qualifications**

**Selective Placement Factor:** You must have the ability to communicate effectively (i.e. read, write and speak) in both the English and Spanish languages. This experience must be documented in your resume. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating.

GS-05: You qualify at the GS-05 level if you possess three years of progressively responsible experience, one year of which was equivalent to at least GS-04 level in the federal government, that demonstrates the ability to:

* Analyze problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions;

* Plan and organize work; and

* Communicate effectively orally and in writing.

* Such experience may have been gained in administrative, professional, technical, investigative, or other responsible work. Experience in substantive and relevant secretarial, clerical, or other responsible work may be qualifying as long as it provided evidence of the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) necessary to perform the duties of the position to be filled. Experience of a general clerical nature (typing, filing, routine procedural processing, maintaining records, or other nonspecialized tasks) is not creditable. **OR**

* You may substitute successful completion of a Bachelor's degree or a full 4-year course of study in any field leading to a Bachelor's degree for the experience required at the GS-05 grade level. This education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university. One year of full-time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester or 45 quarter hours.

GS-07: In addition to the requirements at the lower grade level(s), to qualify at the GS-07 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, which is equivalent to at least the GS-05 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 following duties:

* Compiling and updating budget data on spreadsheets for budget requests.

* Drafting/preparing personnel action requests to be submitted for hiring managers.

* Tracking promotion eligibility dates of employees using a database.

* Collecting information related to workflow, office procedures, and control systems in support of program evaluations.

* Documenting the usage of government motor vehicles by employees.

* Responding to routine questions concerning administrative procedures/requirements.

* Partnering with managers and employees to resolve clerical/administrative challenges. **OR**

* You may substitute superior academic achievement for the experience required at the GS-07 level. You must have completed the requirements for a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale, class standing in the upper third of a graduating class or major subdivision, or membership in a national scholastic honor society. **OR**

* You may substitute successful completion of one year of full-time graduate education for the experience required at the GS-07 level. This education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university and demonstrate the skills necessary to do the work of the position. A course of study in business administration, public administration, or related fields is qualifying. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise a year of graduate education. If that information is not available, use 18 semester or 27 quarter hours.

GS-09: In addition to the requirements at the lower grade level(s), to qualify at the GS-09 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, which is equivalent to at least the GS-07 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 following duties