Thread: Info on: IMMIGRATION OFFICER (FDNS)

Does any have any specific knowledge on this position?

I'm particularly interested if you are given a "take-home car" as it seems there may be a good amount of driving involved...

I did read thru some post's that were a few years old any updated information? I do understand that it is NON-LAW ENFORCEMENT, but it looks like their is some decent training involved - any future applications for the experience gained here?

Thanks!

Never heard of this job until your post, but found info on the USCIS website (probably all stuff you've already read). Don't have any answers to your questions but looks like a somewhat interesting non-LE fraud gig. Is the job series for this 1810 (from the way it's described on the website that would seem to fit if they work general, non-criminal investigations)?

Like almost everywhere in the G, take-home cars are at the discretion of the local office. Does every officer need one. Will 2-3 officers "share" a car. Will all the GOVs be fleet vehicles. In NYC Officers working FDNS do not have take-homes. Do they somewhere else? While I doubt it, it is certainly possible.

I worked with FDNS regularly in the past. While each office may be different, at least in Seattle, the officers investigate marriage fraud and other types of benefit fraud. They perform marriage interviews and do bed checks, as well as other investigatory procedures. When they have a fleshed out case they bring in HSI Special Agents and work together to make criminal cases. The FDNS officer I know LOVES the job.

Originally Posted by Kimble

Is the job series for this 1810 (from the way it's described on the website that would seem to fit if they work general, non-criminal investigations)?

I though it looked interesting as well... The announcement states: GS-1801-05/09, so I assume that the series is 1801? (it's currently on USA Jobs)

Does anyone have an opinion as to wether or not this job has any "stepping stone" potential? I guess that's a little presumptuous of me to ask but just curious...


Thanks to all those who took the time!

Originally Posted by fedorbust

I though it looked interesting as well... The announcement states: GS-1801-05/09, so I assume that the series is 1801? (it's currently on USA Jobs)

That would be correct, the series would be 1801 if that's what's listed in the annoucement. That also means the position journeyman level is GS-09, which depending on where you're located could make things tough to live off of for an entire career in this position (when I was hired as an 1811 I was a GS-9 in a moderately-high cost of living area and even with LEAP money was very tight with a family).

Originally Posted by fedorbust

Does anyone have an opinion as to wether or not this job has any "stepping stone" potential? I guess that's a little presumptuous of me to ask but just curious...

Just based off what I read on the CIS website and the annoucement it certainly could, as it looks to be an investigative job (albiet a non-criminal one) that interacts with LE and IC agencies, so there could be a decent amount of time to network with 1811 agencies, as well as develop investigative skills (particularly in regard to fraud investigations).

I'll let someone from ICE or another agency that would have more interaction with CIS speak to whether my interpretation of the job based on the announcement is correct, though.

the FDNS is a fairly new function within CIS. Before it belonged to OI along with everything else. As such, at least in my region, most of the officers are former adjudication officers with many years on. As such, few are interested in moving on so it is hard to judge how easy it is to "stepping stone" to 1811 or such. Like most things, networking is what you make of it, and it is definitely investigative type work.

Thanks to all those who provided their perspective from their experience - it is much appreciated!

I work for FDNS as a government site inspector (level I Officer) where most of my time is spent on the road with site inspections and occasionally assist with bed checks with Level II Officers. Unfortunately, we have not as of yet been able to take home cars. Level II officers at our office who occasionally go out either bed checks or other assignments do not as well. We were told if there was an assignment that cause more time than it was worth to travel from home to pick up the vehicle at work only to head back towards the direction we came in then and only then would they even think about letting us take a vehicle home. :0(

VTGSI,
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