LANGUAGE SPECIALIST

Full Job Description

This position is part of the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Serving as a Language Specialist, primary responsibility is the expert translation of sensitive and official correspondence for the President of the United States and senior U.S.

officials, providing highly accurate written translations of complex and abstract subject matter, interpretations during diplomatic engagements, and operating the secure communications terminal for mission readiness.

This position has INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL Requirements for the (1040) series: Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- the appropriate foreign language from an English-speaking college or university, English from a college or university in the other country, or translating or interpreting where English and the foreign language were prerequisites.-OR-General Experience: Knowledge of both English and the appropriate foreign language are required.

This knowledge may be demonstrated through education, experience, or a combination of the two for entry level positions as listed below: English Three years of work experience requiring considerable use of English.

A full 4-year course in a college or university in any subject where the instruction was primarily in English.

Experience in speaking English where English was the second language in the high school system of a non-English speaking country.

Foreign Language Experience in speaking or writing in the language because it was the language (a) in which the applicant was educated (through the high school level), (b) of the household, or (c) in which the applicant worked for a long period of time, including service in the Armed Forces.

A full 4-year course in an accredited college or university in a country where the foreign language required for the position to be filled is the native language.

Experience in translating, interpreting, or other work requiring the use of English and the other language; or a combination of work (that required English and the other language) and training at the Defense Language Institute, Foreign Service Institute, or comparable training.

The following are examples of work in the required language that may have provided the required abilities: translator; interpreter; librarian or information specialist required to make abstracts, screen, index, and scan material; intelligence; writer or editor; international organizational work, such as the Peace Corps, World Bank, United Nations, business, or other organizations; or professor, teacher, or instructor work at the high school or college level that required use of the foreign language.

Agencies may test applicants for foreign language proficiency on a pass/fail basis prior to appointment.

Agencies must document the connection between the level of proficiency required and the duties of the position to be filled.

Test material for applicants for the same position or grade level should be equally difficult, and should be selected from typical work-related documents.

You may qualify at the GS-13, if you fulfill the following qualifications: Advanced Russian-to-English Translation: Demonstrated mastery of Russian and English syntax, grammar, and spelling to independently produce finished, high-fidelity translations and associated documents.

Specialized Domain Knowledge: Proven application of in-depth knowledge of U.S.

and Russian affairs, including intelligence, political, military, legal, treaty, scientific, technical, ecological, and nuclear matters, within the context of translation and analysis.

Senior-Level Quality Assurance: Experience in reviewing, editing, and validating the complex translation work of other senior professional translators and military linguists to enforce stylistic and terminological continuity.

Secure Communications Systems Operation: Proficiency in overseeing the operation of secure communication systems, specifically Data Control Language (DCL) circuits and the Moscow/Washington Emergency Communications Link (MOLINK), including managing all related issues and coordinating with flag/general officers and representatives of the Executive Branch.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Major Duties:

As a LANGUAGE SPECIALIST at the GS-1040-13 level some of your typical work assignments may include: Providing written and oral sight translations of head-of-state communiques.

Preparing, formats, dispatches, receives and processes head of state communiques via multiple communications links. Developing and presenting briefings to foreign dignitaries, military officials.

and numerous high-level delegations at the CJCS/SECDEF level.

Developing and coordinating an authoritative US Government policy/position for bilateral technical-expert's meetings with representatives from the Presidential Communications Directorate of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Defense.

Serving as one of three translators in rotating shifts in order to provide rapid or time sensitive oral, sight, and written translations of political communiques, military and other technical, scientific or general translations to the President and designated select Executive Branch (NSA/Director White House Situation Room, etc.) or Senior DoD officials (SecDef, CJCS).