Language Specialist

Duties The incumbent serves as a Language Specialist for Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) Indianapolis Site serving as the full-time interpreter and translator for senior leadership. Incumbent serves as a subject matter expert, interpreting and translating highly complex and technical concepts. Serves as a Language Specialist in a wide range of settings between deaf/hard of hearing employees and hearing persons who are not familiar with signed languages. Acts as an information specialist to the Site regarding the availability of state-of-the-art deaf/hh telecommunications (i.e., TTY's, closed captioned television, etc.). Manages administrative operations and tasks and develops comprehensive plans and strategies for the internal and external administrative and operational integration of daily and long-range projects. Requirements Conditions of Employment Must be a U.S Citizen or National Registered for Selective Service (males born after 12-31-1959) Suitable for Federal employment Time after Competitive Appointment: Candidates must have served 3 months after latest competitive appointment in the Federal service. This national security position, which may require access to classified information, requires a favorable suitability review and security clearance as a condition of employment. Failure to maintain security eligibility may result in termination. Time in Grade Requirement - see the Qualifications field below for more details. Position is located in Indianapolis, IN Position is in the Excepted Service Qualifications In order to qualify for this position, you must meet the requirements described below. Basic Qualifications: English Three years of work experience requiring considerable use of English. A full 4-year course in a college or university in any subject where the instruction was primarily in English. Experience in speaking English where English was the second language in the high school system of a non-English speaking country. Foreign Language Experience in speaking or writing in the language because it was the language (a) in which the applicant was educated (through the high school level), (b) of the household, or (c) in which the applicant worked for a long period of time, including service in the Armed Forces. A full 4-year course in an accredited college or university in a country where the foreign language required for the position to be filled is the native language. Qualifying Experience: To qualify at the GS-12, your resume must describe at least one year of experience that demonstrates the competencies necessary for immediate success in the position. Experience refers to any paid or unpaid experience, including volunteer work and Military service, that would be considered equivalent to work normally performed at the next lower grade level in the federal service. GS-12 specialized experience is defined as: using the following signed languages to interpret/transliterate sensitive information in a variety of settings: American Sign Language (ASL), Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART) services and Contact Sign; provides oral interpreting services to deaf individuals who do not use sign language, translate specialized, administrative and supervisory terminology and performs advanced research or confers with authors of the subject matter to become familiar with topics to be discussed. Testing Provisions Agencies may test applicants for foreign language proficiency on a pass/fail basis prior to appointment. Agencies must document the connection between the level of proficiency required and the duties of the position to be filled. Test material for applicants for the same position or grade level should be equally difficult, and should be selected from typical work-related documents. 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. Candidates must describe how they meet the qualifying experience and/or selective placement factor(s) within the body of their resume. All qualifications must be met within 30 days after the closing date of this announcement. Time-in-Grade: Current or former federal employees who have held a GS position in the preceding 52 weeks, must meet the time in grade requirement. Applicant must have served 52 weeks as a GS-11 or higher grade in Federal Service. You may qualify for consideration if meeting time-in grade, specialized experience, education requirement, 90 days after competitive appointment requirement, and all other qualification requirements within 30 calendar days after the closing date of the announcement, unless otherwise indicated on the announcement. Education There is no substitution of education for the Qualifying Experience at the GS-12 grade level. Additional information Moving expenses will notbe paid. Telework availability will be based upon the mission requirements and supervisory determination. We may use this announcement to make a temporary promotion. For some positions, the temporary promotion may be made permanent without further competition. Selections are subject to restrictions resulting from the DoD Program for Stability of Civilian Employment. A one year probationary or trial period may be required. We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 120 days of the closing date. This position is non-exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act. Travel requirement is occasional. This position is covered by a bargaining unit. Retired Civil Service Employee: Employment of retired Federal employees receiving an annuity is subject to the requirements of the Department of Defense (DoD) policy guidance. (See DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 300, here ) The Security Designation will vary and dependent upon position and may require a secret clearance or higher. Employment in this position requires a background investigation which may delay starting date. If you are selected and cannot obtain a favorable security determination within a reasonable period of time due to disclosed/undisclosed background issues, the employment offer may be withdrawn. Individuals selected are required to obtain/maintain a favorable security determination to occupy a sensitive position within the agency as a condition of employment. Failure to maintain eligibility to occupy a sensitive position may result in termination. For more information see the security section of Understanding Vacancy Announcements. All applicants are encouraged to apply electronically. If you are unable to apply on-line, you may contact for assistance. Benefits Help A career with the U.S. 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 You Will Be Evaluated You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. IMPORTANT NOTE - YOU MUST FOLLOW ALL APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY. ERRORS OR OMISSIONS MAY AFFECT YOUR RATING. All information included in the resume and Occupational Questionnaire is subject to review and verification. HR will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. Applicants meeting the minimum requirements will be further evaluated based upon information you provided in the Occupational Questionnaire. If a determination is made that the work experience described in your submitted resume does not support your responses to the self-assessment questionnaire, your score may be reduced, and you may lose consideration for this position. If you are already a DFAS employee, you may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including removal from Federal service, if you are found to have exaggerated, embellished, inflated, mischaracterized, or falsified your resume or qualifications. The Assessment Questionnaire takes approximately 15 minutes to complete and collects information on your education, training and experience related to the following critical competencies: Customer Service
English Language You can preview the Assessment Questionnaire here: DFAS recognizes the value of competencies gained through formal education and professional certifications. To ensure that consistent credit is given for these credentials in the selection process, DFAS has developed standard selection criteria to be used when filling positions in professional and administrative series. Selections for professional and administrative positions will be based on four categories of selection criteria: Experience, Other, Education, and Certifications. Benefits Help A career with the U.S. 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 . click apply for full job details