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(FEATURED!) FBI INDEPENDENT CONTRACT LINGUIST
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Department of Justice

Overview

Open & Closing Dates
10/01/2026 to 09/30/2027

Work Schedule
Full-Time

Promotion Potential
Other

Appointment Type
Other

Location

City
FBI Field Offices

State
AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC Metro Area, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, PR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY

Duties

Summary
The FBI’s Foreign Language Program has an opportunity for U.S. citizens proficient in foreign languages to provide services as independent contract linguists (ICLs). The services provided by ICLs include, but are not limited to, translating written and/or audio materials generally from the foreign language into English; interpreting during interviews with witnesses, victims, or subjects of a crime or during visits with foreign dignitaries; and providing linguistic and cultural expertise and testimonies on matters over which the FBI has jurisdiction. ICLs are considered contractors; they are not FBI employees. ICLs work on assignments based on the needs of the FBI, with scheduling flexibility.

Responsibilities
Translation from foreign language to English

Requirements

Conditions of Employment
U.S. citizens interested in the ICL opportunity must meet the following requirements: (1) be at least 18 years old; (2) have resided in the United States, or worked abroad for the U.S. government as either an employee or contractor in a federal or military capacity, or been a dependent of someone in such service, for three out of the last five years; (3) obtain qualifying scores (Interagency Language Roundtable 2+) on the FBI’s Foreign Language Test Battery, which is composed of listening, reading, translation, and speaking tests; (4) pass the FBI’s background investigation, which includes a polygraph, by complying with the FBI Eligibility Guide to obtain a Top Secret clearance; and (5) provide services onsite at the local FBI field office at least 20 hours per week, depending on available work. Translation and/or interpretation experience is preferred but not required.

Qualifications
Obtain qualifying scores (Interagency Language Roundtable 2+) on the FBI’s Foreign Language Test Battery, which is composed of listening, reading, translation, and speaking tests

Security Clearance

Required
Top Secret/SCI
Pass the FBI’s background investigation, which includes a polygraph, by complying with the FBI Eligibility Guide to obtain a Top Secret clearance

Required Application Materials

Resume

Application Instructions

Please review program information here: https://biz.fbi.gov/fbi-foreign-language-program

Must follow the ICL Resume Guidelines and Sample Resume.

Additional Notes

All contract work for service credit is considered on a case-by-case basis. In general, the NSEP Service Committee considers requests for service credit at a contractor if the company is receiving funding from a Tier One federal agency. The federal funding for the position must come in the form of a contract or cooperative agreement. Work performed under federal grants will not qualify for service credit.

When applying to contracting positions, please be sure to verify with the hiring manager that the position is funded by federal contracts or cooperative agreements and reach out to the NSEP Service Team at nsep@nsep.gov if you have any questions.

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