Duties

Summary

As a Directorate of Operations Language Officer for the 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.
Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

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:

• Arabic
• Chinese Mandarin
• Dari/Pashto
• Korean
• Persian/Farsi
• Russian

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 is all part of the training process.

For further information and to apply, please visit: https://www.cia.gov/careers/opportunities/clandestine/clandestine-officer-wma.html

Travel Required

Occasional travel - 50% or Greater.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
None

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• US citizenship required (dual national US citizens are eligible).
• All positions require relocation to the Washington, DC metropolitan area.
• All applicants must successfully complete a thorough medical and psychological exam, a polygraph interview, and a comprehensive background investigation.
• All applicants must generally not have used illegal drugs within the last twelve months. The issue of illegal drug use prior to twelve months ago is carefully evaluated during the medical and security processing.

For further information and to apply, please visit: https://www.cia.gov/careers/opportunities/clandestine/clandestine-officer-wma.html

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• 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 US college or university).
• GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4-point scale is preferred.
• 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.

Desired Qualifications:

• Willingness and ability to establish strong personal relationships.
• Ability to "think on your feet" and develop creative yet practical solutions to anticipated and unanticipated problems.
• Interest in seeking answers, learning foreign languages and studying other cultures.
• Cross-cultural sensitivity and the ability to deal with individuals from all cultures and backgrounds.

For further information and to apply, please visit: https://www.cia.gov/careers/opportunities/clandestine/clandestine-officer-wma.html

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 US college or university).
• GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4-point scale is preferred.

Additional information

Benefits

Every career at the CIA is a rewarding one. In addition to serving your country with the certainty that your work makes a difference, the CIA offers a comprehensive benefits package to reflect the dedication and contributions of our employees. To learn more about CIA benefits, click the following link: https://www.cia.gov/careers/benefits.html

Other Information

For more information on CIA careers and correct salary rates, visit https://www.cia.gov/careers/

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications of the specific position to which you are applying. To view this position's requirements, visit https://www.cia.gov/careers/opportunities/clandestine/clandestine-officer-wma.html

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Top Secret

Drug test required
Yes

Required Documents

The following items must be attached to your on-line application (PDF format only):

• Unofficial transcripts for all degrees.
• Cover letter: please describe your knowledge, skills, abilities, and aspirations not evident from your resume, that make you a good candidate for the Directorate of Operations (1 page).
• Qualifications Supplement - in a separate PDF attachment address the following questions:
  • Why does a career in public service appeal to you (1 paragraph).
  • Why do you wish to work for the Directorate of Operations (1 paragraph).
  • Other than the Directorate of Operations, what other career options are of interest to you (1 paragraph).
  • Describe one thing from your academic, military, or professional background that has prepared you for success in the Directorate of Operations (1 paragraph).
  • Complete this thought: "I do my best work when..." (1 paragraph).
  • Describe a time when you did not succeed, professionally or academically, and what you learned from that experience (2 paragraphs).

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.