Policy Advisor

Applicants must meet all the required qualification requirements described below by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on 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, per5CFR 300, Subpart F. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Basic Requirements: To be considered for this position, you must demonstrate that you meet the basic requirement: 1. Degree: major or equivalent, or a combination of courses totaling at least 24 semester hours, in international law and international relations, political science, economics, history, sociology, geography, social or cultural anthropology, law, statistics, or in the humanities; or 12 semester hours in one of the above disciplines and 12 semester hours in statistics/quantitative methods. OR 2. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major, or a combination of related courses totaling at least 24 semester hours, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. OR 3. Experience: four years of appropriate experience in one or more of the fields listed above in work associated with international organizations, problems, or other aspects of foreign affairs. In addition to meeting one of the Basic Requirements listed above, applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualifications Requirement in order to be considered: MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent in the Federal service which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position at the grade level to which you are applying: GS-14 Specialized Experience: Must have at least one full-time year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service (or comparable level of experience from outside the Federal service) performing ALL of the following duties: Developing policies related to Visa programs such as Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs); Evaluating information to identify trends, problems, and risks related to Visa programs; Giving briefings to provide recommendations for addressing issues related to Visa programs; and Collaborating with government official to provide technical support for Visa program operations. There is no education substitute for specialized experience at the GS-14 level. Your resume must CLEARLY demonstrate this experience. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume must support your application responses. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work performed 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 critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
This position is located in the Front Office of the Directorate of Visa Services, Bureau of Consular Affairs (CA/VO/FO) in Washington DC. As a Policy Advisor you will provide analyses, advice, strategic guidance, and high-level support to the Visa Office on visa and immigrations laws, regulations, policies, and procedures related to Afghanistan Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) and removals.