Other Job Opportunities with the DHS

This guide describes the requirements and hiring procedures for ­immigration-­related ­entry-­level jobs with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for positions other than Border Patrol Agent. You will learn the advantages offered by these jobs, how to find the jobs, and what to expect in the application and selection process. Let's take a closer look at what it means to work for the ­immigration-­related component of the ­DHS.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) expends significant effort ensuring that immigration to the United States is done legally and that prospective immigrants are treated fairly. The DHS has over 22,000 employees to handle these important tasks. Besides Border Patrol Agents, ­entry-­level jobs ­include:
- Criminal investigator (special agent), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
- Deportation ­officer
- Immigration ­inspector
- Immigration ­agent
- Detention enforcement officer
- Adjudications ­officer

Why Work for the DHS?
Your work will be absorbing and diverse as a member of the DHS team. You'll also enjoy a competitive salary, advancement opportunities, and good benefits. Even at the entry level, you'll earn a respectable income. It's hard to beat the advantages of working for the federal government. Although the benefits may vary slightly from job to job, most career employees are entitled ­to:
- personal leave days for vacation, family care, and illness
- regular cost of living adjustments
- death and disability ­insurance
- group life ­insurance
- healthcare (medical and dental benefits)
- a government ­pension
- special employee programs available only to government ­workers

One of the greatest advantages of working for the federal government is job security. Once you've completed the ­three-­year probationary period, you become a career employee who is not only eligible for full benefits, but also protected from layoffs by several layers of employees. This, in addition to the pride of doing a job that is intrinsically important to the nation, makes working for the DHS an excellent career ­choice.

Jobs other than Border Patrol Agent require ­different exams. However, once a candidate becomes a U.S. Border Patrol Agent, it is possible to transfer without further testing, although most Border Patrol Agents choose to take the specific agency tests anyway, as it is sometimes a faster route to getting hired by the other agency

DHS ­Programs

As part of the Department of Justice, DHS has both law enforcement and ­service-­oriented positions. Responsibilities include admitting, excluding, investigating, and deporting aliens as well as guiding and assisting them in gaining entry to the United States. Employers may be fined if they knowingly hire aliens not authorized to work in the United States; however, aliens may temporarily reside in the country to meet agricultural labor ­needs.

The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) patrols more than 6,000 miles of border with Canada and Mexico, as well as the Gulf of Mexico and the coastline of Florida. Along with ICE, the CBP conducts ­in-­depth criminal investigations dealing with illegal aliens and ­alien-­smuggling rings. In addition, the CBP and ICE work with the Department of State, Department of Health and Human Services, FBI, CIA, DHS, and United Nations in the admission and resettlement of ­refugees.

Law Enforcement ­Positions
The primary immigration enforcement missions of the DHS are to prevent aliens from entering the country illegally and to find and remove those who are living or working here illegally. These functions are performed by the following enforcement programs:
- Border Patrol
- Inspections
- Investigations
- Intelligence
- Detention and ­Deportation (D&D)

Inspections
The Inspections program is responsible for screening all travelers arriving in the United States by air, land, or sea through some 250 ports of entry. This screening includes the examination and verification of travel documents for every alien seeking to enter the country. Last year, hundreds of millions of travelers passed through immigration ­inspection.

Investigations
The Investigations program focuses on enforcement of immigration laws within the United States and in territorial possessions. Plainclothes special agents investigate violations, and agents often participate in multiagency task forces against narcotics trafficking, violent crime, document fraud, terrorism, and organized crime. They also identify incarcerated aliens who are deportable because of criminal convictions. Agents monitor and inspect places of employment to apprehend unauthorized alien workers and to impose sanctions against employers who knowingly employ them. The ­antismuggling branch of Investigations is responsible for detecting sophisticated alien-smuggling ­operations and apprehending and prosecuting those responsible.

Intelligence
Intelligence collects, evaluates, analyzes, and disseminates information relating to all DHS missions, both enforcement and examinations. Intelligence also directs the Headquarters Command Center, which maintains communications with other offices and agencies 24 hours a ­day.

Detention and ­Deportation
Detention and Deportation (D&D) is charged with taking criminals and illegal aliens into custody pending proceedings to determine their status or to expedite their removal from the United States after they have exhausted all relief available to them under due process. D&D operates DHS detention facilities, known as Service Processing Centers, and when necessary, places detainees in Bureau of Prisons institutions, approved contract facilities, or state and local ­jails.

Jobs Available
The DHS expects to increase and expand its hiring over the next several years as the federal government expands its efforts to curtail illegal immigration and guard against terrorism. In one year, the DHS hired 4,100 employees. The following section details certain key immigration law enforcement positions available within DHS. Other law enforcement and ­non–­law enforcement jobs also exist. (For further information on such positions, follow the instructions in 'Finding Job Openings'.)

Law Enforcement ­Jobs
Salaries and benefits for the jobs listed in this section are based on the federal government's special rates for law enforcement officers at the GL-5 through GL-7 levels. ­Entry-­level salary ranges change with time, of course, but those listed here can be used as a rough guide. Exact pay information, including special pay for high cost of living areas, can be found in specific vacancy ­announcements.
GL-5: $40,355–$50,167
GL-7: $45,940–$58,104
The benefits are as outlined in the beginning of this guide and may also include dependent care, employee support programs, and cost of living/geographic locality pay for some jobs. Please note that for enforcement jobs, you must not have passed your 37th birthday, although exceptions to the maximum entry age requirement may be granted for persons who have prior federal civilian law enforcement experience or pending legislative change. You must be in qualifying physical condition based on a special medical examination. It should also be noted that education may be substituted for all or part of the experience required. The following are a few of the jobs you might ­consider.

Criminal Investigator (Special Agent)
These positions start at the GL-5 or GL-7 level, with promotion potential to GL-13. Special agents conduct investigations under the criminal and statutory provisions of the immigration and nationality ­laws.

Deportation ­Officer
Like special agents, deportation officers start at GL-5 or GL-7, with potential promotion to GL-12. Deportation officers provide for the control and removal of persons who have been ordered deported or otherwise required to depart from the United ­States.

Immigrations ­Inspector
Immigrations inspectors start at GL-5 and can progress to GL-9. The primary function of immigrations inspectors is to determine whether an applicant for admission to the United States may enter. Immigrations inspectors are required to detect false claims or fraudulent documents. Inspectors must have extensive knowledge of laws, regulations, and ­policies.

Detention Enforcement ­Officer
Detention enforcement officers start at GL-4 through GL-7 level, with the potential of progressing to GL-7. Detention enforcement officers perform duties related to the custody and care of aliens who have been detained in Service Processing Centers for violations of U.S. immigration laws. Duties include maintaining surveillance over aliens, escorting detained aliens to hearings, and performing administrative ­duties.

Non–Law Enforcement ­Jobs
These jobs are primarily found in USCIS. For these jobs, you must be in qualifying physical condition based on a medical examination. Education may be substituted for all or part of the experience required. Adjudications officers, asylum officers, and immigration information officers generally start at the GL-5 through GL-7 levels, with varying potential for ­promotion.

Adjudications ­Officer
Adjudications officers review and make determinations regarding the eligibility of aliens requesting benefits, including permanent residence and citizenship, provided under the immigration and nationality laws of the United States. District adjudications officers are located in District Offices nationwide. Center adjudications officers are located in one of the four Service ­Centers.

Asylum ­Officer
Asylum officers decide if applicants for asylum meet the requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act. These officers interview applicants and therefore must have insight into human behavior to determine an applicant's credibility. They work in Asylum Offices throughout the United ­States.

Immigration Information ­Officer
Immigration information officers administer the many benefits available under the Immigration and Nationality Act. They provide information about immigration and nationality law, assist in completing forms, and answer questions. Immigration information officers work in District Offices, ­Sub-­Offices, and Service Centers throughout the United ­States.

Finding Job Openings
Job Vacancy Announcements
When a civil service job opens within the DHS, that department will normally issue a Competition Notice, Exam Announcement, Vacancy Announcement, or Civil Service Announcement. These are four names for essentially the same thing, with the predominant name being Vacancy Announcement. Application procedures and eligibility requirements for each vacancy are outlined in the respective announcement. It is important for applicants to study carefully and understand the vacancy announcement, since any deviation from the published instructions will automatically render an applicant ­ineligible.

Employee Registers/Eligibility Lists
If the position is one in which there are often regular openings or in which several vacancies are expected before the next job announcement, the agency will keep a list of eligible candidates called a register or an eligibility list. With such a register, the agency doesn't have to look for new applicants but can call on a list of candidates it already knows are qualified. This makes it all the more important that you be aware of application windows, as it may be some time before there is another filing period. Generally, however, registers are considered old after three years, and most registers have an average life span of one ­year.

Job Listings through the OPM
The OPM updates a list of federal job vacancies daily. You can access the list 24 hours a day, seven days a week by visiting the OPM job vacancy website at www.usajobs.gov. Using the USAJOBS website will enable applicants to search the entire database of available jobs by occupation type, geographic location, salary, grade level, and agency or ­department.

Contacting the DHS ­Directly
You can also get detailed job information directly from the DHS. The DHS has its own personnel offices that publish their own job lists through the USAJOBS website (www.usajobs.gov). You can also look in your local blue pages for names and addresses to contact. A list of available positions and job descriptions within DHS can be obtained by visiting the DHS website at ­www.dhs.gov.
The federal government has recently simplified the general application process considerably, and the streamlined process is detailed in this ­section.

Filing ­Period
Again, keep in mind that all openings have a filing period or application window, a specific period during which applications will be accepted. Be sure to find out the dates, because there are no ­exceptions.

Application Forms and ­Resume
You may fill out the rather lengthy Standard Form (SF 171) or the Optional Application for Federal Employment (OF 612). These forms are available at any of the websites previously provided. You may also submit a resume instead of an OF 612 or SF 171, but if you do, be sure to include all the information requested on the OF 612 and in the job vacancy announcement or you will not be considered for the job. Keep your resume brief, and be sure to include your Social Security number and current ­federal position (if held).

Test Scheduling ­Information
For government jobs that require a written exam, you will receive information by mail. It is critical you read, understand, and strictly follow the instructions. Late arrivals at testing centers are not normally permitted. Late arrivals at structured interviews will guarantee ­ineligibility.

Veterans' Preferences and How to ­Apply
If you've served on active duty in the military, you may be eligible for veterans' preference, an addition of 5 ­points—­or 10 points, if you are a disabled ­veteran—­to your ­rating in the job selection process. For information, visit www.usajobs.gov or www.opm.gov/veterans. Veterans can also take an online preference advisor questionnaire that will determine eligibility. To take the questionnaire, go to www.dol.gov/elaws/vets/vetpref/mservice.htm

Next Steps in the Application Process
If you are selected for further consideration, there are additional steps in the selection process. These may ­include:
- a written exam (which usually may be retaken after a six-month waiting period if you fail)
- a physical ­exam
- one or more structured interviews (which will most likely be scheduled only after your agency has determined you are qualified for the job)

Depending on the position, there may be other requirements you might not expect. For instance, you may be asked to fill out a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF 306) to determine your suitability as an employee of the federal government and to authorize ­the following checks:
- background ­investigation
- drug screening ­test
- psychological evaluation or personality ­test
These checks may significantly lengthen the hiring process, but they're important to ensure the ­well-­being of all the citizens who interact with these ­employees.

How to Prepare for the Application Process
The best way to prepare for any hiring process is to talk to people who work in the position you desire. They can best tell you about job demands, the hiring process, and ­on-­the-­job information. You can learn what qualities are most valued by those departments and what techniques successful candidates have used to get in shape (both physically and mentally) for exams and interviews. You can use the practice exams on Fatskills to help you get ready for the parts of your test that include reading and language ­skills.

Other Methods of Searching for Jobs
Although most federal job information has been consolidated on www.usajobs.gov, most federal buildings also maintain listings of available jobs. Some locations also maintain job kiosks that provide access to the Internet job databases. Additionally, many agencies and departments utilize internal recruiters to provide information.