Language Officer

Use your skills at CIA!

Directorate of Operations Language Officers use their foreign language skills, cultural experience, and expertise to support clandestine operations.

• Full time
• Starting salary: $73,916 - $122,459*
• *Higher starting salary possible depending on experience level
• Bachelor’s degree; no preferred major or program of study
• Foreign language bonus eligible

Agency-wide Requirements

All applicants must be:

• U.S. citizens (dual U.S. citizens also eligible)
• At least 18 years of age
• Willing to move to the Washington, DC area
• Able to complete security and medical evaluations
• Registered for the Selective Service

About the Job

As a Directorate of Operations Language Officer at 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. 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
• Korean
• Persian/Farsi
• Russian
• Japanese
• Spanish

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 are all part of the training process.

Who You’ll Work With

At the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), we recognize our Nation’s strength comes from the diversity of its people. People from a broad range of backgrounds and viewpoints work at CIA, and our diverse teams are the reason we can keep our country safe.

What You’ll Get

Our benefits support every aspect of a working professional’s life, including health and wellness, time off, family, finances, and continuing education. Our programs include highly sought-after government health benefits, flexible schedules, sick leave, and childcare. In some cases, we also offer sign-on incentives and cover moving expenses if you relocate.

As a CIA employee, you’ll also get the satisfaction of knowing your work is part of something bigger than yourself. Our work is driven by one mission: to keep our Nation safe. Every day is an opportunity to enhance U.S. national security.

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 U.S. college or university)
• At least a 3.0 GPA 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
• Ability to meet the minimum requirements for joining CIA, including U.S. citizenship and a background investigation

Desired Qualifications

• Strong command of the foreign language(s) and English in speaking, listening, reading, and writing
• Professional work experience as a translator and/or interpreter
• Cultural and area knowledge of where the foreign language(s) is/are spoken
• Strong critical/analytical thinking and researching skills
• Cross-cultural sensitivity and the ability to establish respectful relationships and to work effectively in a diverse team environment

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $73,916.00 - $122,459.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Ability to Relocate:

• Washington, DC: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person