EMILY HOWERTON
Clinton,MO
Summary
Skilled Immigration Services Officer with expertise in immigration law and policy. Effectively manages complex caseloads while enhancing case resolution efficiencies. Guides applicants through intricate immigration processes, ensuring compliance with regulations and delivering high-quality customer service.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Immigration Services Officer II - Series 1801
National Benefits Center
Lee's Summit, MO
05.2023 - Current
- Evaluate, research, problem solve and process inquiries from the NBC front office leadership, White House analysts, ICE counterparts, as well as USCIS Feedback analysts
- Evaluate, research, process, and problem solve Congressional inquiries
- Evaluated, researched, problem-solved and processed inquiries from Ombudsmen office
- Communicates in a clear and concise manner in written and oral form with other officers, supervisors, upper management and members of ICE/OPLA
- Received the USCIS Director's Award for Employee of the Year for FY2021 as well as the Special Act Award from the NBC for 4th Quarter FY21 due to a continued pattern of excellence in my work with (Service Request Management Tool) SRMT as well as my ability to handle each SRMT inquiry with respect and courtesy
- Awarded QSI (Quality Step Increase) in FY2020 for highly effective and remarkable work in ancillary adjudications as noted by Division 5 leadership
- Production rate of fulfilled SRMTs continues to be one of the highest in my section; approximately 19 SRMT inquiries/hour with minimal errors which contributes to reducing increasing numbers of inquiries
- Awarded Special Act Award 5/3/26 for assisting ICE with time-sensitive, high-profile case inquiries which have helped foster a stronger and more productive relationship with our ICE colleagues
- Designated by Division 5 leadership to respond to the continuous influx of time-sensitive ICE inquiries directed at the NBC which has led to numerous cases being expedited in support of public safety and national security
- Reduced Congressional inquiry backlog by actively assisting in time-sensitive inquiries, enhancing responsiveness and efficiency
- Designated by supervisor to participate in the beta testing of the new SRMT platform due to proficiency and accuracy with SRMT inquiries; submitted concerns and ways to improve the platform which were noted and addressed
- Trained and mentored multiple new officers to Division 5 in SRMT; all of whom are working independently and off supervisory review
- Identified by supervisors to create and conduct a training presentation to train members from Management Division - Operation Support Staff, who were new to any type of adjudicative system, in how to process SRMT requests which assisted in reducing the SRMT backlog
- Selected by Section Chief to mentor and review work from over 10 officers from multiple divisions in SRMT which successfully contributed to reducing the SRMT backlog
- Appointed by Division 5 ISO III to pull A files and send approved I-130 packets to the NVC for consular processing to address errors in case forwarding.
- 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"
- Full Time - $97,033
- Supervisor - Julie Weedman 816-251-2773
- GS12 11/05/2023 - Present
- GS11 11/06/2022-11/05/2023
- GS09 08/30/2020-11/06/2022
- GS07 08/18/2019-08/30/2020
Real Estate Agent
ReMax Truman Lake
Clinton, MO
09.2014 - 08.2018
- Negotiated, facilitated, and managed real estate transactions
- Guided clients from beginning to end of the home buying process in choosing the best suited property
- Created listings for sales and rental properties through cold calls and referrals, enhancing visibility and attracting potential buyers
- Marketed and sold property for clients by hosting open houses and advertising online and in print
- Marketed and sold properties for clients by hosting open houses and advertising across online platforms and print media, increasing buyer engagement
- Guided clients throughout home buying process, ensuring selection of properties that best fit their needs and preferences
- 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
- Interviewed candidates for assistant and middle school coaching positions to build a strong coaching team
- Wrote new curriculum to be implemented in the high school history department
- Developed and wrote curriculum for high school history department to enhance student engagement and learning
- Designed lesson plans aligned with state standards and district curriculum to ensure comprehensive student understanding
- Conducted interviews as a head volleyball coach for assistant and middle school coaching positions
Education
Bachelor of Science - Education
University of Missouri
Columbia, MOMaster of Arts - Athletic Administration
William Woods University
Fulton, MOBASIC ISOTP -
Skills
- Case management
- Customer service-oriented
- Microsoft Office
- Detail orientation
- Organizational skills
- Verbal communication
- Written communication
- Presentation skills
- Training new hires
- Conflict resolution
- Works well independently
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 - Series 1801
National Benefits Center
05.2023 - Current
Real Estate Agent
ReMax Truman Lake
09.2014 - 08.2018
Middle/High School History Teacher
Clinton School District
08.2008 - 07.2014
Bachelor of Science - Education
University of Missouri
Master of Arts - Athletic Administration
William Woods University