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Language Specialist- LEGAT, GS 1040 -12/13 (FBI Only), International Operations Division, Paris, France

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Washington, DC
$115.1K a year
Permanent
Full-time

Job Opening : 55637

Open to current, permanent FBI employees in all locations. 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.

THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION UNIQUE TO INTERNATIONAL ASSIGNMENTS IN THE FBI AND WHICH MAY SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFER FROM WHAT IS EXPECTED OF EMPLOYEES IN A DOMESTIC POSITION.

APPLICANTS SHOULD REVIEW THE CONTENTS OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY BEFORE APPLYING.

Opening Date : June 17, 2024

Closing Date : July 1 , 2024 11 : 59 pm (EST)

Questions regarding details of the position should be directed to

Questions related to the application process should be directed to

Job Summary :

Position : Language Specialist, GS-12 / 13

Location : Paris, France

Working Hours : Monday - Friday 8 : 00am -5 : 00pm

Salary :

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

GS-13 $88,520.00 - $115,079.00

Salary shown is the BASE SALARY for the grade level. Appropriate post differential pay will be applied according to the location of the official duty station.

Region and Country Allowances : For Department of State (DOS) allowances approved for this location, please refer to http : / / aoprals.

state.gov and select "Allowances by Location"

Full Performance level : GS-13 - Advancement to the GS-13 Language Specialist level is subject to Directorate of Intelligence approval and compliance with their promotion criteria.

As such, 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 / Term

This term appointment will require a THREE (3) year commitment. A tour renewal may be granted based on the Division's management action, as well as relevant operational factors and the employee's performance appraisal rating is at least at the "Consistent" level.

Applicants are advised to review the Legal Attaché Program Professional Staff Assignments Policy Guide-0987PG prior to applying.

This policy provides information on topics including, but not limited to, pay setting, service requirements, and return position.

NOTE : Professional Staff employees must coordinate Legat program participation with their program manager, if serving in any program-managed position.

Employees must ensure full compliance with all policies and procedures for such positions, such as return rights and re-training requirements or "cooling-off" periods.

Such positions (and applicable FBI corporate policies) include, but are not limited to, CART Forensic Examiner (0631PG), Electronics Technician (0631PG), FBI Police Officer (0961PG), Intelligence Analyst (CPD 0870D), Investigative Specialist (0516PG), Laboratory Forensic Examiner (LD0021D), Language Analysts (0654PG), Staff Operations Specialist (CPD 0969D) and Surveillance Specialist (0777PG).

Employees must contact their program manager with specific questions or concerns about their individual circumstances.

Post Information : Accompanied post; unfurnished; HHE 18,000lbs.

Educational allowances : DOS assisted school. No higher away-from-post allowance. Middle States Association accredited.

Report Date : July 2025 (Report dates are estimates, and subject to change based on the needs of the FBI)

For DETO info, see : https : / / go.fbinet.fbi / ccrsb / iod / OSS / admin / Pages / International-Accompanying-Spouses-Program-(DETO).aspx

All employees in the International Operations Division (IOD) and / or Legat Program, regardless of their assignment, are subject to Temporary Duty Assignments (TDY) anywhere in the world where qualifications, skills, or backgrounds are required, at the sole discretion of IOD Management.

This position is designated as "emergency". As an "emergency" employee, you may be expected to report to work during periods of adverse weather conditions or other types of emergency situations when it is announced that an "unscheduled leave policy" is in effect or that federal agencies are closed in your immediate vicinity.

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

Position Information :

The Legat Program offers employees a unique job experience not found in a domestic assignment. Living and working in a different culture is rewarding and challenging.

Employees assigned abroad must have a sense of adventure and a willingness to try new things. At the same time, they must be able to accept the long hours and demanding workload.

As the face of the FBI abroad, Legat personnel serve as the foundation of the FBI's international law enforcement, intelligence, and national security initiatives.

Key Requirements :

  • Must be a current, permanent FBI employee
  • Must be able to obtain an SCI clearance
  • Selectee will be required to complete form FD-887, Request for Access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI)
  • Subject to worldwide mobility at the discretion of IOD management and in accordance with FBI corporate policy
  • Selectee will be required to complete form FD-918, Worldwide Mobility Agreement
  • Department of State physical & medical clearance required for employee and all Eligible Family Members
  • Maintains or is eligible to maintain a Government Travel Card
  • Possession of a valid and unexpired license to operate a motor vehicle
  • Required to attend pre-deployment training on a schedule dictated by the needs of the FBI and complete such training to the satisfaction of the FBI (certain training may require significant physical exertion over steep and uneven terrain)
  • Selectee may be required to testify in court as to the accuracy of translated material
  • Only current GS-13 FBI Language Specialist will be considered for the GS-13 level advertised in this posting due to Directorate of Intelligence promotion policy
  • Must possess the following language tested scores in French by the closing date of this posting :

Minimum Test Scores :

  • French Speaking Proficiency Test (SPT) Score : 3
  • DLPT (Listening and Reading Comprehension) Score : Pass
  • French into English Translation (VTE) Score : 2+
  • English into French Translation Score : 2+
  • English Speaking Proficiency Test (SPT) Score 3

Major Duties applicable to GS-12 / 13 :

  • Provides translation and interpretation services from French to English and / or English to French.
  • Verbatim translation and / or summaries are from written or recorded material
  • Translates and / or summarizes recorded and / or written material that consistently involves a variety of nonstandard terminology where extreme consideration to inflection and nuances is important to render an accurate translation or summary of recorded conversation or document
  • Interprets questions posed by others and responses rendered by those questioned
  • Formulates follow-up questions to continue the flow of the conversation, clarify ambiguous statements, and control evasiveness in answers
  • May be required to testify in court as to the accuracy of translated material
  • Researches, analyzes, and critiques intelligence data translated from recorded and written materials
  • 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

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.

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 :

  • Translation
  • Communication
  • Interpersonal Ability
  • Analytic Thinking
  • Initiative
  • Interpretation

Specialized Experience (SE) :

GS 12 : Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS 11 ). SE is defined as follows :

  • Performed bilingual work through translating, teaching, interpreting, and / or editing manuscripts
  • Provided translation from recorded, written materials and summaries
  • Conducted consecutive interpretations between Arabic and English, in settings such as interviews, polygraphs, and debriefings
  • Prepared written documents, reports, and summaries relating to translation assignments
  • Conducted research using a variety of reference and source materials to aid in accurate translations
  • Analyzed data translated from recorded and written materials to determine significance to investigations and operations

GS 13 : Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS 12). SE is defined as follows :

  • Performed bilingual work through translating, teaching, interpreting, and / or editing manuscripts
  • Provided translation from recorded, written materials and summaries
  • Conducted consecutive interpretations between Arabic and English, in settings such as interviews, polygraphs, and debriefings
  • Prepared written documents, reports, and summaries relating to translation assignments
  • Conducted research using a variety of reference and source materials to aid in accurate translations
  • Analyzed data translated from recorded and written materials to determine significance to investigations and operations
  • Answered technical questions from other Language Specialist and translators concerning terminology or information on a particular subject
  • Applied knowledge of cultural, historical, and geopolitical makeup of areas in which the language is spoken, which may have bearing on sensitive issues

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) :

4.College transcripts, if qualifying based on education or if there is a positive education requirement

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.

  • Management may select at 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.

Advancement to the GS-13 Language Specialist level is subject to Directorate of Intelligence approval and compliance with their promotion criteria.

Limited Movement : Policy has been implemented wherein support employees entering a position through a competitive OR non-competitive action may be precluded from moving to another position within the Bureau by means of reassignment or change to lower grade for a minimum of 12 months.

HRD will waive this limited movement policy for qualified employees, who have received an official notification letter that their current position is being relocated to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama by 2022, so those employees can compete for a position elsewhere.

  • Probationary employees are precluded from being considered for all job opportunities until 12-months of their 24-month probationary period has conclude
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