Language Specialist

**Duties**:
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.

As a Language Specialist your typical work assignments may include:

- Interprets from and into English, using the consecutive and the simultaneous technique, often in formal situations, on assignments involving high officials of the Federal Government or foreign governments.
- Is routinely assigned as chief interpreter at the site of a meeting or conference staffed by additional interpreters.
- Responsible for translating reports from Spanish to English ensuring contents of all accounts on incidents are grammatically and idiomatically correct.
- Occasionally serves as escort interpreter for high-ranking foreign leaders during meetings of particular difficulty or sensitivity. When required, prepares the official record or transcript of restricted or classified meetings, especially when, apart from the principals, no other U.S. official or note-takers are present.
- Assists with translating or reviewing translations and provides assistance with interpretations consisting of dialects, colloquialisms, etc.

**ASSIGNMENT INFORMATION**:
**A.**
**Length of Tour**: The initial tour of duty for this assignment is 3 years. Employees are limited to a maximum of 5 years of service in an overseas assignment. After the initial tour of duty has been completed, extensions may be granted in one-year increments up to the six-year maximum. Employees who wish to remain on an overseas assignment in excess of the six-year maximum must request a tour extension or renewal before the end of their current assignment. Employees who are approved to extend their overseas assignment beyond the six-year maximum will forfeit the right to return to an office of preference. They will be placed in an appropriate position at a DEA domestic office where a vacancy exists.

At the conclusion of an overseas tour, DEA will attempt to return employees to their home location. If such a placement is not possible, employees' office of preference lists will be considered. However, employees are reminded that assignments are determined based on the needs of DEA.

**B. Rest & Recuperation**: 2

**C.**
**Post (Cost of Living) Allowance**: None

**D. Post (Hardship) Differential**: 10%

**E. Danger Pay Allowance**: 15%

**F.**
**Relocation Incentive**: None

**G. Educational Allowances**:Yes, see below

**H. Housing**: Housing paid for by U.S. Government. Bogota is a furnished post.

**I. Language Requirement**: None

**J.**
**Home Leave**: Allowed after the initial 24 months incident to tour renewal.

**CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT**:
Overtime may be required

**Requirements**:
**Conditions of Employment**:

- U. S. Citizenship Required
- You must submit to a pre-employment drug test
- Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
- You may be required to successfully complete a probationary period
- DEA uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States.
- Current Federal employees cannot transfer unused Time Off Awards to DEA.

**Qualifications**:

- Selective Placement Factor.
- This position requires a Selective Placement Factor. Selective Placement Factors are determined to be essential to perform the duties and responsibilities of a particular position. The Selective Placement Factor for this position is a demonstrated Spanish language aptitude with proof of certification from an independent outside source with at least a satisfactory working proficiency level or higher in the areas of speaking and comprehension.
- GS-07: Must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 level Federal grade level in interpreting meetings, conferences, translating notes and providing reports. Translating communications such as letters and memoranda. Listens in on telephone conversations and take notes in shorthand.
- GS-09: Must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 Federal grade level in translating, interpreting, or performing 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: performing translations and/or interpretations from Spanish language into English or English into Spanish