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Language Officer

Central Intelligence Agency

Washington, DCFull-time$80–132K/yrPosted 10mo ago

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At a glance

Compensation
$80–132K/yr
Location
Washington, DC
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
US work authorization required

Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

Sensitive Compartmented Information ClearanceSecurity clearanceBachelor's degree

Job overview

Central Intelligence Agency is hiring a Language Officer. Directorate of Operations Language Officers use foreign language skills, cultural experience, and expertise to support clandestine operations, providing translations, interpretations, and language‑related support to CIA missions while upholding CIA values and U.S. citizenship requirements.

Key focus areas include Perform translations, interpretations, and language‑related support for clandestine operations using advanced foreign language skills, Receive specialized training in clandestine operations tradecraft and maintain foreign language proficiency, and Work effectively as part of a team and independently.

Successful candidates bring U.S. Citizenship, Background Investigation, and Sensitive Compartmented Information Clearance. Important skills include Foreign Language Skills, Cultural Experience, Personal Integrity, Interpersonal Skills, Communication Skills, and Action-Oriented. Preferred (not required): Foreign Language Speaking, Foreign Language Listening, Foreign Language Reading, and Foreign Language Writing.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Foreign Language SkillsCultural ExperiencePersonal IntegrityInterpersonal SkillsCommunication SkillsAction-OrientedResults-OrientedCollaborationIndependent WorkAdaptabilityForeign Language SpeakingForeign Language ListeningForeign Language ReadingForeign Language WritingEnglish SpeakingEnglish ListeningEnglish ReadingEnglish WritingCultural KnowledgeArea KnowledgeProblem SolvingResearch SkillsJapanesePersian/FarsiKhmerArabicChinese MandarinRussianSpanish

Qualifications

U.S. CitizenshipBackground InvestigationSensitive Compartmented Information ClearanceBachelor's Degree From Accredited InstitutionProfessional Translator ExperienceProfessional Interpreter Experience3.0 GPA on 4-Point Scale

Full job description

Directorate of Operations Language Officers use their foreign Language skills, cultural experience, and expertise to support clandestine operations. Minimum Qualifications Interested candidates should be passionate about the ideals of our American republic, committed to upholding the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution, and committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government. Hiring decisions will not be based on race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. Personal integrity Strong interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written) Action- and results-oriented Ability to work effectively as part of a team and independently Flexibility, adaptability, and commitment to the mission of the CIA and the Directorate of Operations Ability to meet the minimum requirements for joining CIA, including U.S. citizenship and a background investigation Desired Qualifications Strong command of the foreign language(s) and English in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Professional work experience as a translator and/or interpreter. Cultural and area knowledge of where the foreign language(s) is/are spoken. Strong critical/analytical thinking and research skills. As a Directorate of Operations Language Officer at CIA, you will perform a critical and dynamic function within the Directorate of Operations by using your advanced foreign Language skills combined with cultural experience and expertise to produce high-quality, accurate, and timely translations, interpretations, and other Language-related support to Directorate of Operations clandestine operations. Language Officers are key to the success of many foreign intelligence, counterintelligence, cyber, and covert action operations and have native or near-native level fluency in one or more of the following Languages: Japanese Persian/Farsi Khmer Arabic Chinese Mandarin Russian Spanish Language Officers generally are assigned to the Washington, DC area, but have opportunities for overseas travel. Opportunities to serve multi-year postings overseas are very limited and these positions are highly competitive. You will receive specialized training to acquire an understanding of clandestine operations tradecraft and to maintain and/or advance your foreign Language skills. Classroom training, practical exercises, and on-the-job experience are all part of the training process. Foreign language ability is highly applicable in all DO career tracks - Case Officer, Collection Management Officer, Staff Operations Officer, Targeting Officer - and prospective Language Officer candidates interested in DO employment would be best served by submitting interest in multiple career tracks. If the candidate is not considered for the Language Officer role, they may still be considered for this alternate career track of interest to them. Security clearance required: Sensitive Compartmented Information

Education Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution (applicants within one year of earning a four-year degree will be considered); there is no preferred major or program of study (degrees from foreign academic institutions are accepted, but you are responsible for obtaining and providing CIA with a credential evaluation from an accredited firm confirming that the foreign degree is the equivalent of a BA/BS and/or MA/MS degree conferred by a U.S. college or university) At least a 3.0 GPA on a 4-point scale is preferred

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