Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
LANGUAGE SPECIALIST (FBI ONLY) GS-1040-7/9/11/12/13, NORFOLK FIELD OFFICE, NORFO
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Virginia Beach, VA
Job Opening : 56763
Open to current, permanent FBI employees in all locations who speak Chinese/Mandarin.
Opening Date: September 3, 2024
Closing Date : September 17, 2024 11:59 p.m. (EST)
Job Summary
Position: Language Specialist, GS- 7/9/11/12/13
Division: Norfolk Field Office
Location: Norfolk, VA
Working Hours: Determined by the office
Salary:GS-7 $49,713.00 - $64,628.00
GS-9 $68,808.00 - $79,050.00
GS-11 $73,572.00 - $95,641.00
GS-12 $88,183.00 - $114,634.00
GS- 13 $104,861.00 - $136,323.00
Full Performance Level: GS-13 - Advancement to the GS-13 and GS 12 Language Specialist level is subject to Directorate of Intelligence approval and compliance with their promotion criteria. As such, only current GS-12 Language Specialists will be considered for selection at the GS-12 level in this posting and only current GS-13 Language Specialists will be considered for selection at the GS-13 level in this posting.
Number of Positions Available: 1
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.
In order to recruit and retain highly qualified candidates, selectee(s) may be eligible for a Full Cost Transfer and 10% of basic pay relocation incentive. To be eligible, selectee will be required to relocate for this position and show proof of change in residency. A position is considered to be in different geographic area if the worksite of the new position is 50 or more miles from the worksite of the position held immediately before the move. As part of receiving this combination of incentives, selectee will be required to sign a two (2) year service agreement with the FBI at the new duty station.
Key Requirements
Completing the test battery generally takes three months from submitting a testing request to receiving a report of results. If the linguist test battery process is not initiated prior to the closing date of this announcement by the applicant, you may not be considered for this posting. Those interested in applying to be a Language Specialist should request the linguist test battery by sending an email to the local Field Office's test administrator (typically a part of the local HR or applicant program) with cc to on FBI systems. The email must indicate interest to apply for a Language Specialist position and the language (including dialect) in which to be tested. Test scheduling will be coordinated through the Field Office test administrator.
Language Specialists serve on the front lines of the FBI's broad-ranging investigative jurisdiction. In addition to the Linguist's qualifying education and work experience, the FBI's foreign language test battery results guide the grade determination for hiring the FBI's Linguists. Language Specialists who pass the test battery and qualify at the "Core" or the "Core +1" level enter the position at the GS 7, 9, or 11 levels. A "Core +2" can enter the position at the GS 7, 9, 11, or 12 levels. Only candidates who test in the "Core +1" or "Core +2" level are eligible to request a promotion to the GS 13 grade level after completing program requirements
Major Duties
GS 7
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.
If you are deemed Most Competitive, you will be referred to the selecting official for further consideration.
All applicants will be rated on the following Competencies:
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:
All degrees must be from an accredited college or university. Education may be substituted for specialized experience as follows:
GS-7: Applicant must have a bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement or one (1) full year of graduate level education. Superior academic achievement is the completion of all the requirements of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, which is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average of 3.0 or higher as recorded on an official transcript, or as based on courses completed during the final two years of the curriculum, or (3) honor society membership. 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: Applicant must have a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D. 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: Applicant must have a Ph.D. OR equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.M. 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.
GS- 13 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:
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
Open to current, permanent FBI employees in all locations who speak Chinese/Mandarin.
Opening Date: September 3, 2024
Closing Date : September 17, 2024 11:59 p.m. (EST)
Job Summary
Position: Language Specialist, GS- 7/9/11/12/13
Division: Norfolk Field Office
Location: Norfolk, VA
Working Hours: Determined by the office
Salary:GS-7 $49,713.00 - $64,628.00
GS-9 $68,808.00 - $79,050.00
GS-11 $73,572.00 - $95,641.00
GS-12 $88,183.00 - $114,634.00
GS- 13 $104,861.00 - $136,323.00
Full Performance Level: GS-13 - Advancement to the GS-13 and GS 12 Language Specialist level is subject to Directorate of Intelligence approval and compliance with their promotion criteria. As such, only current GS-12 Language Specialists will be considered for selection at the GS-12 level in this posting and only current GS-13 Language Specialists will be considered for selection at the GS-13 level in this posting.
Number of Positions Available: 1
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.
In order to recruit and retain highly qualified candidates, selectee(s) may be eligible for a Full Cost Transfer and 10% of basic pay relocation incentive. To be eligible, selectee will be required to relocate for this position and show proof of change in residency. A position is considered to be in different geographic area if the worksite of the new position is 50 or more miles from the worksite of the position held immediately before the move. As part of receiving this combination of incentives, selectee will be required to sign a two (2) year service agreement with the FBI at the new duty station.
Key Requirements
- Must be a current, permanent FBI employee
- Must be able to obtain an SCI clearance
- Must have Chinese capabilities
- 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.
- Selectee may be required to complete form FD-887, Request for Access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI)
- Must sign a n FD-918 Worldwide Mobility Agreement
- Only current GS 12 FBI Language Specialists will be considered for the GS 12- level advertised in this posting due to Directorate of Intelligence promotion policy
- Only current GS 13 FBI Language Specialists will be considered for the GS 13- level advertised in this posting due to Directorate of Intelligence promotion policy
Completing the test battery generally takes three months from submitting a testing request to receiving a report of results. If the linguist test battery process is not initiated prior to the closing date of this announcement by the applicant, you may not be considered for this posting. Those interested in applying to be a Language Specialist should request the linguist test battery by sending an email to the local Field Office's test administrator (typically a part of the local HR or applicant program) with cc to on FBI systems. The email must indicate interest to apply for a Language Specialist position and the language (including dialect) in which to be tested. Test scheduling will be coordinated through the Field Office test administrator.
Language Specialists serve on the front lines of the FBI's broad-ranging investigative jurisdiction. In addition to the Linguist's qualifying education and work experience, the FBI's foreign language test battery results guide the grade determination for hiring the FBI's Linguists. Language Specialists who pass the test battery and qualify at the "Core" or the "Core +1" level enter the position at the GS 7, 9, or 11 levels. A "Core +2" can enter the position at the GS 7, 9, 11, or 12 levels. Only candidates who test in the "Core +1" or "Core +2" level are eligible to request a promotion to the GS 13 grade level after completing program requirements
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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Analyzes and highlights the significance of raw intelligence data received, which may be of interest to the United States Intelligence Community
- Keeps abreast of various developments on the international scene and notifies investigative staff of information which might be of interest to the Bureau
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.
If you are deemed Most Competitive, you will be referred to the selecting official for further consideration.
All applicants will be rated on the following Competencies:
- Initiative
- Interpersonal Ability
- Analytic Thinking
- Communication
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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Prepare written documents, reports, and summaries relating to translation assignments
- Research and answer technical questions form other Language Specialists and translators concerning terminology or information on a particular subject
All degrees must be from an accredited college or university. Education may be substituted for specialized experience as follows:
GS-7: Applicant must have a bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement or one (1) full year of graduate level education. Superior academic achievement is the completion of all the requirements of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, which is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average of 3.0 or higher as recorded on an official transcript, or as based on courses completed during the final two years of the curriculum, or (3) honor society membership. 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: Applicant must have a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D. 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: Applicant must have a Ph.D. OR equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.M. 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.
GS- 13 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:
- Your resume, specifically noting relevant work experience and associated start and end dates
- A complete assessment questionnaire
- Other supporting documents (if applicable)
- College transcripts, if qualifying based on education or if there is a positive education requirement
- Memorandum for Record (MFR), Please see Additional Information
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
- 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. Your application will be evaluated solely on the basis of information you have submitted.
- 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.
- Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the