Job Opening: 54900
Open to current, permanent FBI employees in all locations. Probationary employees are precluded from being considered for all job opportunities until 12-months of their 24-month probationary period has concluded. Probationary employees may be considered for competitive vacancies that are advertised within their respective division or field office after serving 90 days within the FBI.
THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION UNIQUE TO INTERNATIONAL ASSIGNMENTS IN THE FBI AND WHICH MAY SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFER FROM WHAT IS EXPECTED OF EMPLOYEES IN A DOMESTIC POSITION. APPLICANTS SHOULD REVIEW THE CONTENTS OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY BEFORE APPLYING.
Opening Date: May 7th, 2024
Closing Date: May 21st, 2024 11:59 pm (EST)
Questions regarding details of the position should be directed to IOD POC, Allison Linton at amlinton@fbi.gov
Questions related to the application process should be directed to Human Resources Specialist, Daniel Ramin djramin@fbi.gov.
Job Summary :
Position: Language Specialist, GS-12/13
Location: Paris, France
Working Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00am -5:00pm
Salary:
GS-12 $74,441.00 - $96,770.00
GS-13 $88,520.00 - $115,079.00
Salary shown is the BASE SALARY for the grade level. Appropriate post differential pay will be applied according to the location of the official duty station.
Region and Country Allowances: For Department of State (DOS) allowances approved for this location, please refer to http://aoprals.state.gov and select "Allowances by Location"
Full Performance level: GS-13 - Advancement to the GS-13 Language Specialist level is subject to Directorate of Intelligence approval and compliance with their promotion criteria. As such, only current GS-13 Language Specialists will be considered for selection at the GS-13 level in this posting.
Number of Positions Available: 1
Duration: Full Time/Term
This term appointment will require a THREE (3) year commitment. A tour renewal may be granted based on the Division's management action, as well as relevant operational factors and the employee's performance appraisal rating is at least at the "Consistent" level.
Applicants are advised to review the Legal Attaché Program Professional Staff Assignments Policy Guide-0987PG prior to applying. This policy provides information on topics including, but not limited to, pay setting, service requirements, and return position.
NOTE: Professional Staff employees must coordinate Legat program participation with their program manager, if serving in any program-managed position. Employees must ensure full compliance with all policies and procedures for such positions, such as return rights and re-training requirements or "cooling-off" periods. Such positions (and applicable FBI corporate policies) include, but are not limited to, CART Forensic Examiner (0631PG), Electronics Technician (0631PG), FBI Police Officer (0961PG), Intelligence Analyst (CPD 0870D), Investigative Specialist (0516PG), Laboratory Forensic Examiner (LD0021D), Language Analysts (0654PG), Staff Operations Specialist (CPD 0969D) and Surveillance Specialist (0777PG). Employees must contact their program manager with specific questions or concerns about their individual circumstances.
Post Information: Accompanied post; unfurnished; HHE 18,000lbs.
Educational allowances: DOS assisted school. No higher away-from-post allowance. Middle States Association accredited.
Report Date: July 2025 (Report dates are estimates, and subject to change based on the needs of the FBI)
For DETO info, see: https://go.fbinet.fbi/ccrsb/iod/OSS/admin/Pages/International-Accompanying-Spouses-Program-(DETO).aspx
All employees in the International Operations Division (IOD) and/or Legat Program, regardless of their assignment, are subject to Temporary Duty Assignments (TDY) anywhere in the world where qualifications, skills, or backgrounds are required, at the sole discretion of IOD Management.
This position is designated as "emergency". As an "emergency" employee, you may be expected to report to work during periods of adverse weather conditions or other types of emergency situations when it is announced that an "unscheduled leave policy" is in effect or that federal agencies are closed in your immediate vicinity.
Additional selections may be made from this announcement to fill positions within the Legat Program when the position includes substantially the same duties, responsibilities, and qualifications.
Position Information :
The Legat Program offers employees a unique job experience not found in a domestic assignment. Living and working in a different culture is rewarding and challenging. Employees assigned abroad must have a sense of adventure and a willingness to try new things. At the same time, they must be able to accept the long hours and demanding workload. As the face of the FBI abroad, Legat personnel serve as the foundation of the FBI's international law enforcement, intelligence, and national security initiatives.
Key Requirements :

• Must be a current, permanent FBI employee
• Must be able to obtain an SCI clearance
• Selectee will be required to complete form FD-887, Request for Access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI)
• Subject to worldwide mobility at the discretion of IOD management and in accordance with FBI corporate policy
• Selectee will be required to complete form FD-918, Worldwide Mobility Agreement
• Department of State physical & medical clearance required for employee and all Eligible Family Members
• Maintains or is eligible to maintain a Government Travel Card
• Possession of a valid and unexpired license to operate a motor vehicle
• Required to attend pre-deployment training on a schedule dictated by the needs of the FBI and complete such training to the satisfaction of the FBI (certain training may require significant physical exertion over steep and uneven terrain)
• Selectee may be required to testify in court as to the accuracy of translated material
• Only current GS-13 FBI Language Specialist will be considered for the GS-13 level advertised in this posting due to Directorate of Intelligence promotion policy
• Must possess the following language tested scores in French by the closing date of this posting:

Minimum Test Scores:

• French Speaking Proficiency Test (SPT) Score: 3
• DLPT (Listening and Reading Comprehension) Score: Pass/2+
• French into English Translation (VTE) Score: 2+
• English into French Translation Score: 2+

Major Duties applicable to GS-12/13:

• Provides translation and interpretation services from French to English and/or English to French.
• Verbatim translation and/or summaries are from written or recorded material
• Translates and/or summarizes recorded and/or written material that consistently involves a variety of nonstandard terminology where extreme consideration to inflection and nuances is important to render an accurate translation or summary of recorded conversation or document
• Interprets questions posed by others and responses rendered by those questioned
• Formulates follow-up questions to continue the flow of the conversation, clarify ambiguous statements, and control evasiveness in answers
• May be required to testify in court as to the accuracy of translated material
• Researches, analyzes, and critiques intelligence data translated from recorded and written materials
• Analyzes and highlights the significance of raw intelligence data received which may be of interest to the United States Intelligence Community
• Keeps abreast of various developments on the international scene and notifies investigative staff of information which might be of interest to the Bureau

Qualifications and Evaluations:
Please make sure your specialized experience/requirement(s) can be identified in your resume. Applicants must meet the qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Your application will be evaluated and rated under the FBI's Candidate Rating Procedures. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed in this announcement and will be compared to your responses to the online assessment questionnaire. High self-assessment in the vacancy questions that is not supported by information in your resume, and/or supporting documents may eliminate you from Most Competitive status. If you are deemed Most Competitive, you will be referred to the selecting official for further consideration.
All applicants will be rated on the following Competencies:

• Translation
• Communication
• Interpersonal Ability
• Analytic Thinking
• Initiative
• Interpretation

Specialized Experience (SE):
GS 12:Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS 11 ). SE is defined as follows:

• Performed bilingual work through translating, teaching, interpreting, and/or editing manuscripts
• Provided translation from recorded, written materials and summaries
• Conducted consecutive interpretations between Arabic and English, in settings such as interviews, polygraphs, and debriefings
• Prepared written documents, reports, and summaries relating to translation assignments
• Conducted research using a variety of reference and source materials to aid in accurate translations
• Analyzed data translated from recorded and written materials to determine significance to investigations and operations

GS 13: Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS 12). SE is defined as follows:

• Performed bilingual work through translating, teaching, interpreting, and/or editing manuscripts
• Provided translation from recorded, written materials and summaries
• Conducted consecutive interpretations between Arabic and English, in settings such as interviews, polygraphs, and debriefings
• Prepared written documents, reports, and summaries relating to translation assignments
• Conducted research using a variety of reference and source materials to aid in accurate translations
• Analyzed data translated from recorded and written materials to determine significance to investigations and operations
• Answered technical questions from other Language Specialist and translators concerning terminology or information on a particular subject
• Applied knowledge of cultural, historical, and geopolitical makeup of areas in which the language is spoken, which may have bearing on sensitive issues

How to Apply:
For detailed instructions related to applying, uploading documents, withdrawing an application or updating your application, please review instructions on How to Apply . If applying online is a hardship, please use the contact information listed in the vacancy announcement prior to the closing date for assistance.
Required Documents:
To apply to this position, interested applicants must provide a complete application package by the closing date which includes:
1.Your resume, specifically noting relevant work experience and associated start and end dates
2.A complete assessment questionnaire
3.Other supporting documents (if applicable):
•College transcripts, if qualifying based on education or if there is a positive education requirement
What to Expect Next:
Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The Most Competitive candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified of your status throughout the process.
Additional Information:
• Failure to provide necessary and relevant information required by this vacancy announcement may disqualify you from consideration. Additional information will not be requested if your application is incomplete. Your application will be evaluated solely on the basis of information you have submitted.
• 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.
• Management may select at any grade for which this position has been announced.
• Identification of promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. Promotion will depend upon administrative approval and the continuing need for an actual assignment and performance of higher-level duties. Advancement to the GS-13 Language Specialist level is subject to Directorate of Intelligence approval and compliance with their promotion criteria.
• Limited Movement: Policy has been implemented wherein support employees entering a position through a competitive OR non-competitive action may be precluded from moving to another position within the Bureau by means of reassignment or change to lower grade for a minimum of 12 months. HRD will waive this limited movement policy for qualified employees, who have received an official notification letter that their current position is being relocated to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama by 2022, so those employees can compete for a position elsewhere.
• Probationary employees are precluded from being considered for all job opportunities until 12-months of their 24-month probationary period has concluded. Probationary employees may be considered for competitive vacancies that are advertised within their respective division or field office after serving 90 days within the FBI.
• Candidates will not be considered if currently on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP); a Letter of Requirement (LOR); or have failed a PIP or LOR and are currently awaiting the final action by HRD.
a. A Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) is a 90-day written developmental plan for an employee whose performance on one or more critical elements is rated "Inconsistent."
b. A Letter of Requirement (LOR) is issued when a supervisor identifies leave abuse and/or when frequent absences negatively impact operations of an office.
• Relocation expenses will be borne by the FBI. Candidates receiving a transfer of physical location, whether at the expense of the FBI or not, will be required to complete a 1-year commitment to the assignment, prior to moving to a new position at the FBI. The 12-month waiting period begins the day an employee reports for duty at the new location.
• Current tax law impacts your transfer by making your moving expense reimbursements taxable. Please contact HQ_DIV12_Online_Transfer_Issues for information regarding taxable expenses. For additional insight on the personal impact of the IRS tax rules, you may wish to contact the IRS or a tax professional. Federal Travel Regulation provides that the Withholding Tax Allowance (WTA) plus the Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA) are designed to "substantially reimburse" an employee for the additional Federal, State, and Local taxes associated with a change of duty station and the FBI has the authority to compensate employees through the WTA and RITA.
• Candidates receiving a transfer of physical location, whether at the expense of the FBI or not, will be required to complete a one year commitment to the assignment, prior to moving to a new position at the FBI. The 12-month waiting period begins the day an employee reports for duty at the new location.
• Employees selected for promotions at the GS-12 level or higher, as well as employees selected for positions where a transfer of location is required, will be processed through the name check program prior to being notified of their selection.
• Memorandum for Record: Work performed outside assigned duties (that would not normally be documented on a SF-50, i. e., back-up duties), has to be documented in detail by an immediate supervisor in order to receive full credit for amount of time worked in that position. If no documentation is furnished no credit will be given for time worked in that position. The following notations must be specified in the documentation (Memorandum for Record):
a. Percent of time worked in the particular position (cannot conflict with main duties)
b. The month/year work began
c. Frequency worked (i.e., daily, monthly, etc.)
d. Specific duties performed
Attach the Memorandum for Record to your application in the "Cover Letters and Attachments" section of My Career Tools on the Careers Home page. Please upload the attachment as type "Other."
FOR LEGAT POSITIONS ONLY:
Affairs must be in order to allow departure on short notice. The selected applicant and Eligible Family Member must be medically cleared by the Department of State and FBI prior to reporting to the Legat office. They must undergo a physical examination at a Government examining facility with satisfactory results and comply with medical requirements of both the Department of State and FBI.
Selectee must receive both DOS & FBI medical clearances and selectee's EFMs must receive a DOS medical clearance. In addition, selectee must be in full compliance with the FBI's Immunization Program Policy Guide (0990PG). Failure of the selectee to follow all requirements for DOS & FBI medical clearances and to fully comply with the FBI's immunization policy designates an individual as "non-deployable" and may result in a denial of foreign travel and ineligibility for foreign assignment.
All regional contact points are identified in the AREA INFORMATION portion of this announcement.
Possession of Special Compartmentalized Information (SCI) access is a requirement to serve in the Legat Program. While applicants are not required to possess SCI access prior to application/selection/deployment, they must be eligible to apply for SCI access and maintain such access throughout their tour. Failure to obtain and/or maintain SCI access will result in removal from the Legat Program due to loss of effectiveness. Questions regarding an employee's eligibility for SCI access should be directed to their division's Security Office.
Host nation determines diplomatic status and it is their sole discretion under applicable international law. No recourse is available for adverse determinations. Employees and/or their accompanying immediate family members who hold, or have ever held, citizenship or dual citizenship in the country of assignment may be ineligible for diplomatic accreditation to that country. Failure to obtain diplomatic accreditation is grounds for rescission of a selection due to an inability to safely perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. The Chief of Mission may also deny country clearance for any reason.
SELECTEE WILL BE REQUIRED TO discuss potential transfer with spouse, significant other and/or family. Failure to report by the deadline may result in disqualification for further consideration as a Professional Staff employee in the Legat Program.
Pursuant to Section 3 of 1017PG and Section 4.5.3 of 1138PG, common household transfers, hardship assignments and telework options are not available to FBI employees accompanying their spouse on foreign assignment.
AVAILABILITY: Must be available to meet the needs of the FBI during emergencies or periods of heavy workload. Maintain conduct abroad at all times in accordance with Bureau standards. Travel both domestically, as well as internationally, from assigned overseas duty station in support of FBI administrative and/or investigative requirements. May be required to deal directly with police and other officials of the host country. Must possess exceptional interpersonal and liaison skills to work effectively in American Embassies. Understand that during the final stages of the hiring process, placement on an acceptance list for an International Support position is tentative. A hiring decision is conditional upon the successful resolution of any outstanding inquiries or issues.
PASSPORT INFORMATION: Effective 07/02/2001, two-parent consent is required for any passport application executed for minors under age 14 unless the one parent can establish his/her sole custodial or guardianship status. There are exceptions in exigent circumstances. Questions regarding this Department of State Notice may be addressed to Special Issuance Agency, 202-955-0200.
By Executive Order, the Secretary of State is authorized and directed to exercise certain statutory powers of the President, to include the authority vested in the President by 5 U.S.C. governing the setting and payment of allowances, differentials and benefits for employees of all agencies serving in foreign areas. Non-foreign service agencies, to include the FBI, may be governed by more restrictive regulations or policies but in no case can any Federal agency authorize allowances, differentials or benefits greater than those authorized by the President through the Secretary of State, except as specifically provided in law. Benefits and allowances are constantly adjusted and may change between the time of a vacancy announcement and the time the selectee reports to post and may also change during the tour of duty. For a description of the most current allowances, differentials and benefits for a specific post, see the following: http://aoprals.state.gov (Click on "Allowances by Location"). Locality pay cannot be authorized for FBI employees working in foreign areas (reference 319W-HQ-A1487698-IO Serial 217).
AREA INFORMATION: Information may be requested by contacting the International Operations Division: Kristen Parkhouse and Olivia Zisa for Five Eyes offices; Allison Linton and Diana Perez for Eurasia offices; Hillary Vehrs for Europe offices; Erica D'Antoni, Chloe Maple, and Olivia Zisa for Americas offices; Leah Elliott-Alferez for Africa offices; Sharon Schneider for Asia offices, and Robin W. Thompson for Middle East offices. Additional Information may be found at www.state.gov/travel, www.foia.state.gov, or www.usembassy.state.gov.
WORKING CONDITIONS: Applicant must be available for an initial 1, 2, or 3 year tour of duty, depending on the assignment requirements of the Legat office. A tour renewal may be granted for Legat tours based on the Division's management action, the Human Resources (HR) Officer or designee concurrence, as well as relevant operational factors, and the employee's performance appraisal rating is a least at the "Consistent" level. Some Legat posts are designated as R&R posts which allows the employee and dependents to travel to the post's designated relief area or to the United States (certain travel regulations/restrictions apply). An employee will earn home leave days while assigned abroad, but they cannot be used until completion of at least 24 months of consecutive service (12-month exception for Afghanistan, Iraq and certain hazardous posts designated by the Department of State). Government-funded travel using this leave will only be authorized when a tour renewal is granted after completing the initial tour requirements. Tour renewal travel requires approval by the Legat, IOD and Finance Division. To meet the operational demands of the FBI, all Bureau employees are subject to temporary duty assignments anywhere in the world, or directed (involuntary) reassignments on either a temporary or permanent basis. This may include hardship posts while assigned overseas (per Corporate Policy Directive 0224D).
Employees must be aware that foreign countries are not subject to United States federal laws related to concerns such as disability access and anti-discrimination. While some countries afford legal protections above or commensurate with those provided in the United States, there are others which do not provide the same level, if at all. It is incumbent upon the employee to research applicable local laws if this is a potential concern. United States Government employment and facilities abroad comport with applicable requirements of United States federal law; however, the jurisdiction of the United States in this regard does not extend beyond the confines of its diplomatic facilities and employees must be aware and cognizant of local laws, customs and regulations which may impact their living conditions.
Nepotism
Nepotism is the act of favoring relatives in the hiring process, and is prohibited by law. Public officials are prohibited from hiring or promoting relatives or relatives of officials in their chain of command, as well as actively or indirectly endorse a relative's appointment or promotion. During the hiring process, all selected candidates and FBI hiring managers will be required to certify they are not related to anyone involved in the hiring process.
Reasonable Accommodation Request
The FBI provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and/or hiring process, please notify the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Affairs (OEEOA) Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Program by either e-mail at REASONABLE_ACCOMMODATIONS@ic.fbi.gov , telephone at 202-324-4128, or FAX at 202-324-3976. Your request will receive an individualized assessment.
This e-mail address is only for reasonable accommodation requests. Please do not submit your application and/or any questions unrelated to reasonable accommodations. Should any applications be received, they will not be forwarded for consideration during the hiring process.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The FBI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for this vacancy. Except where otherwise provided by law, selection will be made without regard to, and there will be no discrimination because of color, race, religion, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, parental status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, age, sex, sexual orientation, membership or non-membership in an employee organization, or on the basis of personal favoritism, or any other non-merit.

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