EMILY HOWERTON
Clinton,MO
Summary
I am currently employed as an Immigration Services Officer II for USCIS and work in the area of customer service. I was awarded the USCIS Director’s Employee of the Year Award in 2021 and have received a silver pin as well as peer recognition. Currently, I respond to stakeholder inquiries which include inquiries from applicants, attorneys, USCIS headquarters and the White House which span across a variety of immigration forms and require extensive research in immigration law and policy.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Immigration Services Officer II
USCIS
08.2019 - Current
- Evaluate, research, problem solve and process inquiries from Ombudsmen and analysts from Headquarters (HQ) and White House
- Create responses to White House, HQ and Ombudsman Inquiries that align with policy, immigration law and current procedure
- Adjudicated I-765, Application for Employment Authorization and I-131, Application for Travel Document with minimal errors
- Conducted Treasury Enforcement Communication System (TECS) security checks and searched the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database to identify individuals who may pose a threat to national security and public safety.
- Research inquiries from applicants and stakeholders through the USCIS case inquiry platform and identify the appropriate response to provide
- Identified by supervisors to create and conduct a training presentation to train members from other divisions in the USCIS case inquiry platform
- Selected by my Section Chief for a time sensitive project scheduling applicants for biometric appointments
- Self-taught on complex Microsoft VISIO program and created a flowchart for use in training officers
- Created Request for Further Evidence and Denial Notices citing immigration law
- Consistently sought after to mentor officers trained in customer service inquiry response from other divisions
- Mentored and reviewed work from over 10 officers from multiple divisions
- Routinely requested to assist in complex projects outside the scope and daily duties
- Collaborated with peers as part of a Federal Employee Viewport Survey (FEVS) focus group to generate action ideas based on the FEVS survey results to assist the NBC leadership with plans to “Be and Do Better”
- Communicates in clear and concise manner in written and oral form with other officers, supervisors, and Ombudsmen
- Schedule biometric appointments and review Adjustment of Status interview appointments utilizing the National Application Scheduling System (NASS). This ensures applications will continue through pre-processing and adjudication without delay.
- Examine and identify instances where an I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, was not forwarded to the National Visa Center; took initiative to study the process in depth to be able to further assist customer inquires
Real Estate Agent
ReMax Truman Lake
Clinton, MO
09.2014 - 08.2018
- Represented buyers and sellers of developed and undeveloped properties
- Advertised client properties on websites, through social media and in real estate guides
- Generated listings for sales and rental properties through cold calls and referrals
- Negotiated, facilitated, and managed real estate transactions
- Marketed and sold property for clients by hosting open houses and advertising online and in print
- Guided clients from beginning to end of the home buying process in choosing the best suited property
- Worked closely with clients to get the appropriate loans, inspections and credit reports
- Oversaw the advertising of properties for web and print media
Middle/High School History Teacher
Clinton School District
Clinton, MO
08.2008 - 07.2014
- Conducted interviews as a head volleyball coach for assistant and middle school coaching positions
- Instructed middle school and high school students in the subjects of American History, World History, Psychology and Sociology
- Wrote new curriculum to be implemented in the high school history department
- Created lesson plans that aligned with state standards and district curriculum
- Created tests and other assessments to gauge student understanding and mastery of the material
Education
Master of Arts - Athletic Administration
William Woods University
Fulton, MO01.2010
Bachelor of Science - Education
University of Missouri
Columbia, MO01.2006
Skills
- Relationship/team building
- Microsoft Office knowledge
- Written communication skills
- Verbal communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Excellent teamwork
- Customer service-oriented
- Works well independently
- Problem solving skills
- Strong organizational skills
- Legal research
- Policy analysis
- Immigration law
- Document analysis
- Attention to detail
- Multitasking
- Computer proficiency
- Self motivation
- Analytical thinking
- Security awareness
Awards
Employee of the Year – USCIS Director’s Award 2021, Special Act Award – 4th Quarter FY21, Awarded QSI (Quality Step Increase) - FY2020, Received Achieved Excellence for all Performance Appraisals since starting federal service in 2019, Employee Recognition Silver Pin Award – July 2021
Timeline
Immigration Services Officer II
USCIS
08.2019 - Current
Real Estate Agent
ReMax Truman Lake
09.2014 - 08.2018
Middle/High School History Teacher
Clinton School District
08.2008 - 07.2014
Master of Arts - Athletic Administration
William Woods University
Bachelor of Science - Education
University of Missouri