Responsibilities NSA Overview The National Security Agency's (NSA) mission is to help protect national security by providing policy makers and military commanders with the intelligence information they need to do their jobs. The professionals at NSA have one common goal: to protect our nation. The mission requires a strong offense and a steadfast defense. The offense collects, processes, and disseminates intelligence information derived from foreign signals for intelligence and counterintelligence purposes. The defense prevents adversaries from gaining access to sensitive classified national security information. NSA is the nation's leader in providing foreign signals intelligence while also protecting US government information systems, forging the frontier of communications and analysis. We serve the American people by applying a wide variety of technical skills to produce meaningful results that help protect our nation, keeping our friends and families safe for generations to come. Scientific Linguists support the mission by designing, developing, evaluating, and/or integrating products to enhance the understanding of mission critical foreign languages or materials by applying linguistic knowledge (eg syntax, morphology, phonetics, semantics) to address operational problems. Responsibilities Applicants with limited or no cryptologic language analysis experience will be hired into the Language Analysis Development Program (LADP). The LADP, which lasts up to three years, is designed to provide an intensive, accelerated opportunity to acquire the unique technical skills and experience needed to successfully apply knowledge and analytic ability to the SIGINT mission and help Scientific Linguists achieve core analytic competencies. The program includes 4-5 operational tours in a variety of offices, interspersed with formal classroom and computer-based training. These on-the-job operational tours are designed to give Scientific Linguists the skills they need to emerge from the program as well-rounded analysts capable of working a variety of missions. Applicants with cryptologic language analysis experience will be assessed to see whether they have the skills to be hired directly into a specific mission, if there are positions available. Duties of a Scientific Linguist include: - Transcribe, translate and/or gist foreign language material. - Review foreign language material for purposes of language processing tool development. - Create corpora or annotate language data to support the development of language processing systems. - Create computer algorithms (eg, pre- and post-processing of data, manipulating data, scripting) to support the development of language processing systems. - Analyze output of various processing and analysis programs/systems/tools, including newly developed hardware and software (for example, beta testing). - Conduct outreach to mission customers to define requirements and solicit feedback to optimize the development of language processing tools. Skills We are always looking for well-qualified applicants with exceptional language skills. We are currently looking for applicants with proficiency in the languages listed below. However, if you don't see your language in the list, you should still apply because our language requirements can change at any time. - Arabic - Chinese (Mandarin) - Korean - Persian-Farsi - Russian The ideal candidate is someone with a desire for continuous learning and strong problem-solving, communication (both oral and written) and interpersonal skills who is: - accountable - detail-oriented - customer and results-oriented - able to adapt to changing requirements - able to manage multiple tasks and assignments - able to work effectively (independently and/or within teams) across functional areas in a professional and collaborative environment Specialized knowledge and experience in any of the following is desired: - application of the principles and methods of linguistics (eg, extending algorithms, writing structured notation, identifying and exploiting language patterns). - identification of technical issues associated with foreign languages (eg, working with Unicode, transcription systems). - evaluation of a language processing tool or system to test its features and/or identify its shortcomings (eg, evaluating rules, models, components, or output). - use of regular expressions and/or scripting languages (eg, Python, Perl). Mandatory Qualification Reqs Salary Range: $68,095 - $87,868 (Entry/Developmental) *The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position. Salary offers are based on candidates' education level and years of experience relevant to the position and also take into account information provided by the hiring manager/organization regarding the work level for the position. Entry is with a Bachelor's degree and no experience. Degree in Linguistics (eg, Applied Linguistics, Second Language Acquisition, Theoretical Linguistics, Psycholinguistics, or Computational Linguistics) is preferred. However, a degree in Math, Computer Science, or Electrical Engineering is also acceptable if accompanied by a minor, concentration, or demonstrated knowledge of linguistics or a foreign language. A degree in a foreign language is acceptable if accompanied by a minor or concentration in linguistics, math, or computer science. Experience in programming, using scripting languages, applied linguistics, and/or conducting linguistic research to support development of language technology, processing systems, assessments, and/or pedagogy is desired. Applicant must have a minimum language proficiency of Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) level 1+/1+ in reading and listening in the target foreign language for which the applicant is being considered. Salary Range: $81,571 - $108,643 (Full Performance) *The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position. Salary offers are based on candidates' education level and years of experience relevant to the position and also take into account information provided by the hiring manager/organization regarding the work level for the position. Entry is with a Bachelor's degree plus 3 years of relevant experience or a Master's degree plus 1 year of relevant experience. An Associate's degree (or graduation from DLI in the target foreign language for which the applicant is being considered) plus 5 years of relevant experience may also be considered. Degree in Linguistics (eg, Applied Linguistics, Second Language Acquisition, Theoretical Linguistics, Psycholinguistics, or Computational Linguistics) is preferred. However, a degree in Math, Computer Science, or Electrical Engineering is also acceptable if accompanied by a minor, concentration, or demonstrated knowledge of linguistics or a foreign language. A degree in a foreign language is acceptable if accompanied by a minor or concentration in linguistics, math, or computer science. Experience in programming, using scripting languages, applied linguistics, and/or conducting linguistic research to support development of language technology, processing systems, assessments, and/or pedagogy is desired. Applicant must have a minimum language proficiency of Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) level 2/2 in reading and listening in the target foreign language for which the applicant is being considered. In special cases (eg, hard to fill positions in critical or less-common languages/dialects) where no viable applicants are available with the minimum language proficiency level or years of experience required, applicants with less than the minimum will be considered. Applicants with less than the minimum language proficiency will require additional language training to reach ILR Level 2 in at least one mode (reading or listening) within 2-3 years. Salary Range: $99,172 - $152,352 (Senior) *The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position. Salary offers are based on candidates' education level and years of experience relevant to the position and also take into account information provided by the hiring manager/organization regarding the work level for the position. Entry is with a Bachelor's degree plus 6 years of relevant experience or a Master's degree plus 4 years of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree plus 2 years of relevant experience. An Associate's degree (or graduation from DLI in the target foreign language for which the applicant is being considered) plus 8 years of relevant experience may also be considered. Degree in Linguistics (eg, Applied Linguistics, Second Language Acquisition, Theoretical Linguistics, Psycholinguistics, or Computational Linguistics) is preferred. However, a degree in Math, Computer Science, or Electrical Engineering is also acceptable if accompanied by a minor, concentration, or demonstrated knowledge of linguistics or a foreign language. A degree in a foreign language is acceptable if accompanied by a minor or concentration in linguistics, math, or computer science. Relevant experience must be in programming, using scripting languages, applied linguistics, and/or conducting linguistic research to support development of language technology, processing systems, assessments, and/or pedagogy. Applicant must have a minimum language proficiency of Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) level 3/2 or 2/3 in reading and listening in the target foreign language for which the applicant is being considered. In special cases (eg, hard to fill positions in critical or less-common languages/dialects) where no viable applicants are available with the minimum language proficiency level required, applicants with less than the minimum will be considered. Applicants with less than the minimum language proficiency will require additional language training to reach ILR Level 3 in at least one mode (reading or listening) within 2-3 years. How To Apply - External To apply for this position, please click the 'Apply' button located at the top right of this posting. After completing the application for the first time, or reviewing previously entered information, and clicking the 'Submit' button, you will receive a confirmation email. Please ensure your spam filters are configured to accept emails from (see application details). PLEASE NOTE: US Citizenship is required for all applicants. Reasonable accommodations provided to applicants with disabilities during the application and hiring process where appropriate. NSA is an equal opportunity employer and abides by applicable employment laws and regulations. All applicants and employees are subject to random drug testing in accordance with Executive Order 12564. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a security background investigation and polygraph. This position is a Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) position in the Excepted Service under 10 USC 1601. DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans' Preference to eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are a veteran claiming veterans' preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, you may be asked to submit documents verifying your eligibility. Please note that you may be asked a series of questions depending on the position you apply for. Your responses will be used as part of the screening process of your application and will assist in determining your eligibility for the position. Be sure to elaborate on experiences in your resume. Failure to provide the required information or providing inaccurate information will result in your application not being considered for this position. Only those applicants who meet the qualifications for the position will be contacted to begin employment processing. Please Note: Job Posting could close earlier than the closing date due to sufficient number of applicants or position no longer available. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. DCIPS Disclaimer The National Security Agency (NSA) is part of the DoD Intelligence Community Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). All positions in the NSA are in the Excepted Services under 10 United States Codes (USC) 1601 appointment authority.See job description