Supervisory Mission Support Specialist

Citizenship and Immigration Services

$80K — $95K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of supervisory experience in a governmental or similar organizational role.
  • Expertise in budget and financial management, human resources, and procurement processes.
  • Strong analytical skills to assess productivity and efficiency in administrative operations.
  • Proven ability to manage and lead teams, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
  • Understanding of Equal Opportunity and Inclusion policies and practices.

Responsibilities

  • Provide complex administrative support across various functions such as budgeting and human resources.
  • Lead and manage a department dedicated to enhancing administrative operations.
  • Implement strategies to improve organizational effectiveness and drive change.
  • Supervise and mentor a team of specialists in resolving administrative challenges.
  • Delegate and clarify work requirements to subordinate staff to optimize productivity.
  • Encourage creative problem-solving and innovation within the team.
  • Uphold personnel policies and handle disciplinary matters as necessary.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance plans.
  • Access to a retirement savings plan similar to a 401(k) and a Thrift Savings Plan.
  • Flexible work schedules and the option for telework.
  • Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities.
  • Paid personal leave and federal holidays.
Full Job Description
Summary

As a Supervisory Mission Support Specialist, you will provide administrative, technical and advisory supervision. Analyze and resolve problems, establish action plans, assess productivity, effectiveness, and efficiency of all administrative areas and staff activities of program operations.

Duties

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  • Provide complex administrative assistance in areas including, but not limited to, budget and financial management, facilities, human resources, procurement, time and attendance, and travel.
  • Manage a department that supports complex administrative functions for the office.
  • Lead the vision, strategy, and execution of administrative operations, and create a culture of continuous improvement that drives changes to improve organizational effectiveness.
  • Supervise a group of subordinate specialists and assistants who are responsible for analyzing and resolving problems, accessing productivity, effectiveness, and efficiency of all administrative areas and staff activities.
  • Assign and explain work requirements to subordinate staff, and devise new methods for accomplishing work to solve productivity problems.
  • Promote and support a smart creative environment for all team members that is conducive to inspiring and motivating others to think of new and creative ways to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of division operations.
  • Ensure Department personnel policies are observed, resolve disciplinary cases, complaints and grievances.
  • Carry out Office of Equal Opportunity and Inclusion (OEOI) policies and program activities, communicating support of these policies to subordinates and encouraging active participation in OEOI program activities and training.


Requirements

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Conditions of employment

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
  • 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.

LOCAL COMMUTING AREA: This job is for individuals who currently reside within the local commuting area or, if selected, are willing to establish their permanent residence within the local commuting area of the announced duty location(s) you are applying for.

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.

Qualifications

The qualifications for this position must be met by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on 08/14/2026.

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 08/14/2026.

Application Limit: This vacancy is limited to the first 50 applications received. All applications received prior to midnight 11:59 PM (ET) of the day the application limit is reached will be accepted and considered. If the application limit is not reached by the closing date of the announcement, all applications received during the open period will be considered. Any required documents must be submitted at the time that you apply as documents will not be accepted past the day the application limit is reached, if applicable. If you choose to edit your application after it has been submitted, it will be removed from consideration until you re-submit your application. The date your application is last submitted will be used to determine whether you meet the cut-off criteria.

GS-13: You qualify at the GS-13 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, which is equivalent to at least the GS-12 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:

  • Providing advice as a subject matter expert on a variety of administrative programs relating to facilities and asset management, logistics, emergency management, procurement, records management, or human resources.
  • Coordinating and planning workloads in relation to establishing priorities, goals and objectives for an administrative program or initiative.
  • Providing guidance and collaborating with colleagues throughout all levels of the office to resolve problems pertaining to administrative operations and projects.


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 08/14/2026. 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.

Education

EDUCATIONAL SUBSTITUTION: There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP): Per 5 CFR 576.202, An employee who receives a Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP) and later accepts employment for compensation with the Government of the United States within 5 years of the date of the separation on which the VSIP is based, including work under a personal services contract or other direct contract, must repay the entire amount of the VSIP to the agency that paid it (proof of payment is required) before the individual's first day of reemployment.

Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Personnel Management guidance and U.S. Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.

Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.

Common definitions for hiring terms found in this announcement.

Additional information

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays.

Other benefits may include flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service- connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Homeland Security and its Components from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before th

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