LANGUAGE SPECIALIST (All US Citizens) GS-1040-7/9/11/12, DIRECTORATE OF INTELLIGENCE, MULTIPLE FIELD OFFICES

Who May Apply

Job Opening : 54668

Open to ALL U.S. Citizens, to include FBI Contract Linguists, who have Chinese capabilities.

Opening Date: April 25, 2024

Closing Date: May 9, 2024 11:59 pm (EST)

Questions regarding this opening should be directed to V. Elias at Velias@fbi.gov.

Job Summary

Position: Language Specialist, GS-7/9/11/12

Division: Directorate of Intelligence
Location:

• Albany
• Atlanta
• Buffalo
• Norfolk
• Phoenix

Working Hours: Varies by office

Salary: (locality not included)

GS-7 $41,966.00 - $54,557.00
GS-9 $51,332.00 - $66,731.00
GS-11 $62,107.00 - $80,737.00

GS-12 $74,441.00 - $96,770.00

Full Performance level: GS- 13

Number of Positions Available: 5 (1 position per location)

Duration: Full Time/Permanent

Additional selections may be made from this announcement to fill positions within the same division when the position includes substantially the same duties, responsibilities, and qualifications.

If you are a current Independent Contact Linguist (ICL), please ensure you read and understand the following information regarding FBI Contract Linguists conversion to an FBI Language Specialist.

• Conversion candidates qualified at the Core level cannot on-board higher than GS-11. Core +1 and Core +2 candidates may on-board up to the GS-12 level if they possess sufficient qualifying experience.
• A FAILED BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION MAY AFFECT YOUR CURRENT CONTRACT RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FBI.

Key Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Must be able to obtain a Top Secret-SCI clearance
• Applicants must verify completion of the basic education requirement by submitting a copy of college transcripts by the closing date of the vacancy announcement, if using education to qualify
• Must have Chinese capabilities
• Must be able to successfully pass the FBI's Foreign Language Test Battery
• Applicants must verify completion of the basic education requirement by submitting a copy of college transcripts by the closing date of the vacancy announcement, if using education to qualify

Language Specialists serve on the front lines of the FBI's broad-ranging investigative jurisdiction. In addition to the Linguist's qualifying education, the FBI's foreign language test battery results guide the grade determination for hiring the FBI's Linguists.

Mission Statement:

The mission of the FBI is to protect the American People and uphold the Constitution of the United States.

Major Duties:

GS 7

• Perform literary research in language assigned to gain an understanding of specialized vocabulary
• Translate correspondences, messages and inquires of a routine nature

GS 9

• Translate verbatim and summarize from assigned foreign language into English and vice versa from a variety of recorded material
• Translate verbatim and summarize printed, typed and written material from assigned foreign language into English and vice versa

GS 11

• Research, analyze and critique foreign language documents for information which may be beneficial to Bureau's intelligence-and criminal operations
• Compose grammatically correct and logical communications on an expeditious basis
• Dictate or type, proofread and edit verbatim translations and/or summaries; compose transmitting communications

GS 12

• Translate and/or summarize recorded and/or written material that consistently involves a variety of non-standard terminology where extreme consideration to inflection and nuances is important to render an accurate translation or summary of a recorded conversation or document
• Research, analyze, and critique intelligence data translated from recorded and written materials. Incumbents use extended work experience, intermittent guidance from investigative personnel, and in-depth knowledge of current world affairs to detect data of importance to FBI investigations and operations

Qualifications and Evaluations

Please make sure your specialized experience/requirement(s) can be identified in your resume. Applicants must meet the qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Your application will be evaluated and rated under the FBI's Candidate Rating Procedures. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed in this announcement and will be compared to your responses to the online assessment questionnaire. High self-assessment in the vacancy questions that is not supported by information in your resume, and/or supporting documents may eliminate you from Most Competitive status.

Your application will then be placed in one of three categories: Most Competitive, Competitive, or Least Competitive. Names of candidates in the Most Competitive category will be sent to the hiring official for employment consideration. Veterans' preference will be applied.

All applicants will be rated on the following Competencies:

• Initiative
• Interpersonal Ability
• Analytic Thinking
• Communication

Specialized Experience (SE):

GS-7: Applicants must possess a passing language proficiency test score in combination with a high school diploma, or its equivalent. Applicants must possess at least four (4) years of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level. SE is defined as follows:

• Translate routine conversations and analyze data for relevance
• Apply research methods and analytical skills to perform document edits

GS-9: Applicants must possess at least five (5) years of qualifying specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level and passing language proficiency test scores. SE is defined as follows:

• Translate and interpret orally and in writing to communicate effectively in English and the foreign language assigned to employee
• Correct grammar, punctuation, syntax, and spelling for grammatically correct, fluent and more precise translations

GS-11: Applicants must possess at least seven (7) years of qualifying specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 and passing language proficiency test scores. SE is defined as follows:

• Translate to transfer material from one language to another to accurately reflect the meaning of the original
• Ability to understand idiomatic expressions, colloquialisms, habits, mannerisms, and other data to furnish information of interest to investigative personnel

GS-12: Applicants must possess at least eight (8) years of qualifying work experience and/or college level education and passing language proficiency test scores. SE is defined as follows:

• Translate material consisting of non-standard terminology, recognizing technical jargon related to intelligence data
• Perform literature research to determine equivalents to new and unique terms, idiomatic expressions, and /or highly abbreviated material

Education

All degrees must be from an accredited college or university. Education may be substituted for specialized experience as follows:

GS-7: The completion of a bachelor's degree (or its academic equivalent from a college or university with regional or national institutional accreditation) in any discipline will count as four (4) years credit.

GS-9: The completion of a master's degree or Juris Doctorate (or its academic equivalent from a college or university with regional or national institutional accreditation) in any discipline will count as five (5) years credit.

GS-11: The completion of a Doctorate Level Degree (or its academic equivalent from a college or university with regional or national institutional accreditation) in any discipline will count as seven (7) years credit.

GS-12: Education may NOT be substituted.

How to Apply

For detailed instructions related to applying, uploading documents, withdrawing an application or updating your application, please review instructions on How to Apply . If applying online is a hardship, please use the contact information listed in the vacancy announcement prior to the closing date for assistance.

Required Documents

To apply to this position, interested applicants must provide a complete application package by the closing date which includes:

1. Your resume, specifically noting relevant work experience and associated start and end dates
2. A complete assessment questionnaire
3. Other supporting documents ( if applicable ):

• College transcripts, if qualifying based on education or if there is a positive education requirement
• Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50; not applicable to current FBI employees
• Memorandum for Record (MFR), Please see Additional Information
• Most recent Performance Appraisal; not applicable to current FBI employees
• Veterans: DD 214; Disabled Veterans: DD 214, SF-15, and VA letter dated 1991 or later

Documents that were uploaded one or more years ago will need to be uploaded again. Although an applicant may see these documents within their current profile, the HR Specialists may not have access to view them. All applicants are being asked to upload another copy (if applicable) to ensure the staffing units can review the complete application.

You must complete this application process and submit any required documents by 11:59 p.m. (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. If applying online is a hardship, please contact the HR Specialist listed in the vacancy announcement prior to the closing date for assistance.

What to Expect Next

Once your complete application is received we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The Most Competitive candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified of your status throughout the process.

Additional Information

• Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols. Positions with fitness for duty requirements or those that require international travel may require proof of certain vaccinations.
• The FBI is in the Executive Branch of the federal government. It is one of the components of the Department of Justice (DOJ). The FBI is the principle investigative arm of the DOJ. All FBI positions are in the excepted service.
• As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens and consent to a complete background investigation, urinalysis, and polygraph. You must be suitable for Federal employment; as determined by a background investigation.
• Failure to provide necessary and relevant information required by this vacancy announcement may disqualify you from consideration. Additional information will not be requested if your application is incomplete. You application will be evaluated solely on the basis of information you have submitted.
• Management may select any grade for which this position has been announced.
• Identification of promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. Promotion will depend upon administrative approval and the continuing need for an actual assignment and performance of higher-level duties.
• If you are hired, you will be required to serve a two-year probationary period. Probationary employees are precluded from being considered for all job opportunities until 12-months of their 24-month probationary period has concluded. Probationary Employees may be considered for competitive vacancies that are advertised within their respective division or field office after serving 90 days within the FBI.
• The probationary periods will be served concurrently.
• Memorandum for Record: Work performed outside assigned duties (that would not normally be documented on an SF-50, i. e., back-up duties), has to be documented in detail by an immediate supervisor in order to receive full credit for amount of time worked in that position. If no documentation is furnished no credit will be given for time worked in that position. The following notations must be specified in the documentation (Memorandum for Record):

a. Percent of time worked in the particular position (cannot conflict with main duties)
b. The month/year work began
c. Frequency worked (i.e., daily, monthly, etc.)
d. Specific duties performed

Attach the Memorandum for Record to your application in the "Cover Letters and Attachments" section of My Career Tools on the Careers Home page. Please upload the attachment as type "Other."

Veterans' Preference

If you are entitled to veterans' preference, you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume and application. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency.

Nepotism

Nepotism is the act of favoring relatives in the hiring process, and is prohibited by law. Public officials are prohibited from hiring or promoting relatives or relatives of officials in their chain of command, as well as actively or indirectly endorse a relative's appointment or promotion.

During the hiring process, all selected candidates and FBI hiring managers will be required to certify they are not related to anyone involved in the hiring process.

Reasonable Accommodation Request

The FBI provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and/or hiring process, please notify the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Affairs (OEEOA) Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Program by either e-mail at REASONABLE_ACCOMMODA@fbi.gov , telephone at 202-324-2158, or FAX at 202-324-3976. Your request will receive an individualized assessment.

This e-mail address is only for reasonable accommodation requests. Please do not submit your application and/or any questions unrelated to reasonable accommodations. Should any applications be received, they will not be forwarded for consideration during the hiring process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The FBI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for this vacancy. Unless explicitly authorized by law, selection will be made without regard to, and there will be no discrimination because of, color, race, religion, national origin, marital status, parental status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, age (40 or over), sex (including pregnancy and related conditions, gender identity, and sexual orientation), or on the basis of personal favoritism, or any other non-merit factors.

Benefits

The FBI offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.

This link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to Federal employees: http://www.opm.gov/insure/new_employ/index.asp

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