QSI is seeking a Visa Specialist to support our government client in New York. The Visa Specialist provides support to the Government by performing various administrative, analytical, and other support functions with high attention to detail and accuracy in all offices of VO. A Government manager will provide day-to-day oversight and direction. You must have an active Secret security clearance.
Intent to Hire: Upon contract award (Dec24/Jan25), we are excited to hire a candidate who not only meets our job requirements but also shares our commitment to excellence.
Qualifications:
- Ability to effectively and politely interface with public
- Ability to comprehend and communicate the requirements for a visa in a professional and courteous manner over the telephone
- Ability to learn and recall information about visa application procedures and the rules and regulations pertaining to visa requirements
- Good data entry skills, good filing and file retrieval skills, good organizational skills
- Excellent customer service skills
- Ability to interpret and apply regulatory material
Anticipated Duties/Tasks:
Depending on the work unit, the Visa Specialist shall perform all duties and tasks of a Visa Assistant, in addition to the following:
- Assist in answering Congressional, Headquarters, and White House inquiries;
- Liaise in-person, via email, and phone with embassies, consulates, and other high-level foreign country personnel;
- Participate in customer service outreach activities including, but not limited to: travel shows, college, and university events;
- Deal with urgent requests by visa applicants under the direction of a VO manager;
- Perform Quality Control to verify that visa application data matches processing data;
- Utilize phone and email to resolve questions with applicants;
- Perform data entry, look-up files, and applications;
- Accept applications and download or enter basic biographic, upload the application, scan documents, and passport data into the NIV computer program, which assigns tracking numbers to each application;
- Review visa applications for completeness and supporting documentation prior to Government adjudication;
- Verify the accuracy of all application data entered in the database against the data on the passport and DS-1648, data-enter or correct any inaccuracies, track all pending cases, add any necessary annotations, draft security advisory opinions where required, and prepare correspondence relating to issues with the visa applications;
- Interface with visa applicants and copy customers’ identification;
- Print and affix visas onto applicant’s passport after Government adjudication;
- Distribute visa and passport envelopes to the correct applicant or submit them accurately through mail or courier systems;
- Answer inquiries from visa and waiver applicants;
- Generate letters and emails that clearly request additional documentation or information from applicants;
- Prepare Lookouts for the CLASS system as directed by the designated Government adjudicator;
- Prepare correspondence for applications not issued;
- Interface with the Consular Support Centers to resolve cases;
- Communicate with stakeholders, such as: Congressional offices, community-based organizations, and other Government agencies (except for law-enforcement);
- Conduct research on visa cases by gathering information from a variety of sources, including but not limited to: applications, supporting documents, the Internet, telephone calls, government, commercial, and open source databases. Draft findings in a clear and concise manner that summarize the information gathered and during research;
- Review applications from applicants who seek waivers of their INA 212(e) two-year home residence requirement;
- Conduct preliminary review of J-1 “No Objection” cases for forwarding through a case management system to a VO manager for a final review, signing if appropriate, and forwarding to DHS. In certain cases as designated by standard operating procedures, makes determination of whether to grant a waiver for “No Objection” cases;
- Receive Section 13 cases from former diplomats for adjustment of status (“green cards”) from USCIS’ National Benefits Center, track the case via spreadsheet as the adjudicator seeks information from the regional desk officer and return the cases to USCIS with the Department of State’s recommendation on the case;
- Create and maintain spreadsheets to support the USCIS Liaison Officer;
- Maintain liaison with country desk officers, other government agencies, members of the foreign diplomatic corps, and immigration lawyers;
- Back up the other assistants/analysts/specialists/officers in their absence as designated;
- Update and/or revise VO content on CA internal and external websites;
- Clear and route for clearance other written internal communication;
- Draft, edit, and clear all products in appropriate format to include but not limited to documents, regulations, briefing papers, and correspondence;
- Learn content management systems through on-the-job training;
- Coordinate clearances under supervision;
- Assist in training Visa Assistants in job functions, duties, and tasks; and
- Available for telework when allowable by Government Managers.
- Bachelor’s degree and
- Four (4) years of general office experience, including
- The Government may allow the following qualification substitutions for this position: 4 years of additional general office or administrative experience may be substituted for a BS/BA degree