Duties Summary This position is located in the Bureau of East Asia and Pacific Affairs (EAP) organization. The incumbent has primary responsibility as a Mandarin Language Analyst for the Office of Chinese and Mongolian Affairs (EAP/CM), supervised by Strategic Communications unit chief. Learn more about this agency Responsibilities Tracks and evaluates messaging trends on designated outlets. Drafts analytical reports in English documenting trends , patterns, and other conclusions made through daily monitoring and analysis of Chinese-language source material. Translates diplomatic communications with the People's Republic of China (PRC) and other Chinese -language source material for official purposes. Provides consecutive interpretation for official calls and meetings between U .S. government and PRC and other Mandarin-speaking interlocutors, as needed. Travel Required Not requiredRequirements Conditions of Employment Verification of employment eligibility in the United States is required. Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing. US Citizenship is required. One year probationary period, unless excepted by regulation. Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance. This position requires the applicant to pass a Language Proficiency Test. Qualifications Applicants must meet all the required qualification requirements, including education and any selective placement factors described below by the closing date of this announcement. If you are qualifying based on education OR if there are mandatory education requirements listed below, you MUST submit a copy of your college transcript with your application. Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service which provided you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following: Experience in translating, interpreting, or other work requiring the use of English and Mandarin Chinese language or a combination of work that required English Mandarin Chinese language and training at the Defense Language Institute, Foreign Service Institute, or comparable training. IN ADDITION, this position requires the following additional specialized experience: Experience in monitoring and analyzing Mandarin Chinese and English language media outlets. Experience in tracking and evaluating messaging trends and flag messages related to important policy issues. Experience in drafting analytical reports in English documenting trends , patterns, and other conclusions made through daily monitoring and analysis of Mandarin Chinese-language source material. THE FOLLOWING SELECTIVE FACTOR IS REQUIRED: Must have experience in translation of Mandarin Chinese language into English. 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. ALL APPLICANTS WILL BE TESTED BY THE AGENCY FOR PROFICIENCY ON A PASS/FAIL BASIS PRIOR TO APPOINTMENT. There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-12 position.Education See the qualifications section of this vacancy announcement for education requirements, if applicable. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Click on the link for a list of accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials.Additional information For reasonable accommodation at the US Department of State, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations at (202) 663-3474 or . If eligible, telework and remote work agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval. Please note that any approved remote work arrangement is subject to the locality pay area of the alternative telework worksite. If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to other positions in other Bureaus/Offices in the Department that may require a higher security clearance. EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION PROGRAM (E-Verify) - US law requires organizations to employ only individuals who may legally work in the United States - either US citizens, or foreign citizens who have the necessary authorization. This agency utilizes E-Verify to compare information from the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration (SSA) records to confirm employment eligibility. If the employee's information does not match DHS and/or SSA records, the employee is given an opportunity to resolve the problem. If eligibility cannot be verified, employment will be terminated. How You Will Be Evaluated You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. Your application will be evaluated and rated under the Category Rating and Selection procedures. Based on your responses to the job-specific self-assessment questions, eligible candidates are placed for selection consideration into one of three pre-defined quality categories as described below: Highly-qualified Category - In addition to meeting minimum qualifications for the position, candidates must fully demonstrate proficiency in all major aspects of the position. Well Qualified Category - In addition to meeting minimum qualifications, candidates must demonstrate proficiency in some, but not all of the major aspects of the position. Qualified Category - In addition to meeting minimum qualifications, applicants must demonstrate a basic level of knowledge, skill and ability of the position. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following knowledge, skills, abilities (KSAs) and other characteristics that are relevant to the duties of this position and must be fully supported by information in your resume: Ability to communicate orally. Ability to read and interpret Mandarin Chinese. Skill at writing target language(s). Skills in performing simultaneous and consecutive interpretation. Knowledge of foreign state and foreign non-state propaganda and disinformation efforts. Ability to apply the principles, techniques, and practices of translation. Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant work experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to this job opportunity. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (eg, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (eg, professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Your resume should include the dates of all qualifying experience (from month/year to month/year) and the number of hours worked/volunteered per week. For assistance with creating a resume, please click here . Application of Veterans Preference: The Category Rating Method does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three," but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each pre-defined quality category. Preference eligibles who meet minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent (ie, CPS and CP) must be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher. Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) candidates must be rated "Well Qualified" for the position to receive consideration for selection priority. Applicants must meet all the qualification requirements and submit any required supporting documentation by the closing date of this announcement. Your application package must contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the basic/specialized experience requirements as stated in this job opportunity announcement for each grade level(s) for which you are applying. Applicants found to be among the top qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring official for further consideration and possible interview. To preview questions please click here .Required Documents All required documents listed below, that are applicable to you, must be submitted to our automated system "Gateway to State" by 11:59 pm Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement. 1. Resume - your resume or any other written format you choose should contain the required information as specified in the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section. Insufficient information will result in an ineligible rating. 2. A completed online job specific self-assessment questionnaire through the Department's automated system "Gateway to State". 3. Transcripts - if applicable, see the Qualifications section of the announcement. If selected, an official/sealed college transcript(s) will be required to verify education prior to employment. 4. If you are qualifying based on other criteria listed under the Qualification Section of this announcement, you MUST submit the required supporting documentation (certificates, certifications, etc.) with your application. 5. Veterans Preference - If claiming 5-point veteran's preference, you must provide a copy of your DD-214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (Member Copy 4 is preferred), which must show the type of discharge and dates of active duty. If you are currently on active duty, you must provide a certification on letterhead from your military branch which contains your military service dates, expected date of discharge or release, and the character of service to show that your military service was performed under honorable conditions. The expected date of discharge or release must be no later than 120 days after the certification is submitted for consideration for this vacancy announcement. If the appropriate information is not submitted to confirm your current or expected discharge status, dates of service, etc., you will not receive credit for the claimed active duty military service. If claiming 10-point veteran's preference (ie, preference eligibles with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more), you must submit the documentation required by the SF-15 (Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference) to support your claim (eg, DD-214, official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs). If we cannot verify your 10-point preference status, you will receive 5-point preference if veterans' preference requirements have been met. For further information regarding Veterans, click here . For applicants claiming 10-point derived veterans' preference (ie, spouses, widows, widowers or mothers of veterans), a completed SF-15 must be submitted with the application with all required supporting documents listed on the form. For Sole Survivorship preference, you must provide a copy of your DD-214 (Member Copy 4 is preferred) or another form of official documentation which shows your discharge or release from active duty occurred on or after August 29, 2008 and was based on a sole survivorship discharge. To gain access to your DD214 online, click here . 6. ICTAP/CTAP eligibles must submit a copy of the appropriate documentation with their application. See links below: ICTAP Considerations CTAP Considerations If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the US 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 US 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. Benefits Help Benefits A career with the US Government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window Learn more about federal benefits . Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered. How to Apply Help How to Apply Prepare your application in USAJOBSTo start your application, click Apply and we'll walk you through the process where you'll attach a resume and any required documents.During the application process you can review, edit, delete, and update your information. We'll automatically save your progress as you go, so you won't lose any changes.Please carefully read all the instructions before you apply. You have until 11:59 pm Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement to complete the application process.STEP 1: Select the "Apply On-line" button and follow the instructions to register or sign into USAJOBS.STEP 2: Submit a detailed resume or any other written format you choose documenting your job-related qualifications, experience, and education (if applicable). Cover letter is optional. If you submit a cover letter, you must also submit a resume. Please see the How You Will Be Evaluated section for specific information that should be outlined in your resume.STEP 3: Answer the job-specific self-assessment questions on-line through the US Department of State's Gateway to State automated application system. The questions will be used to evaluate your qualifications and experience for this position. STEP 4: Submit all required documentation applicable to you, as listed in the Required Documents section of this announcement, to the Department's Gateway to State automated application system prior to the closing date of this announcement. For instructions on how to view the status of your supporting documentation, please click here . Technical assistance with your on-line application is available through the Help Desk at mgshelp@ or by calling (866) 656-6830 or (703) 269-4944 between the hours of 7:00 am and 7:00 pm ET ALTERNATE APPLICATION PROCEDURES NOTE: If applying online poses an extreme hardship, you may request alternate application procedures to submit your application package by fax. Contact the Human Resources office listed on the announcement between the business hours of 8:15 am and 5:00 pm ET at least 2 working days prior to the closing date of this announcement. The application package for alternate application procedures must be submitted and received in the Human Resources office no later than 11:59 pm ET on the closing date of this announcement. Paper applications and information sent by mail WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Agency contact information Kimberly Mingo Phone 843-952-0117 Fax 000-000-0000Email Address US Department of State 1999 Dyess Ave. Charleston Reg. Ctr., E119B Charleston, South Carolina 29405 United States Learn more about this agency Next steps After all application packages have been received, we will review your resume to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. After we review and evaluate all applications, the most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration for possible interviews in approximately two weeks after the announcement closes. After a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability review and/or security background investigation, which generally takes an average of at least two to six months.You will be notified up to four times during the hiring process:1. Upon receipt of your application.2. Upon minimum qualification determinations. 3. After the certificate is issued. 4. After final selection is made.For instructions on how to view the status of your application, please click here .Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. Fair & Transparent Fair & Transparent The Federal hiring process is setup to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance. Equal Employment Opportunity Policy The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) for federal employees & job applicants Reasonable Accommodation Policy Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process should follow the instructions in the job opportunity announcement. For any part of the remaining hiring process, applicants should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. A reasonable accommodation is any change to a job, the work environment, or the way things are usually done that enables an individual with a disability to apply for a job, perform job duties or receive equal access to job benefits. Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodations when: An applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to apply for a job. An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential job duties or to gain access to the workplace. An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to receive equal access to benefits, such as details, t