Job Description
Responsibilities:
The Office of Reasonable Accommodation Services has an immediate opening for Sign Language Interpreters to provide interpreting and transliterating services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) employees.
The incumbent will:
Provide reasonable accommodations by using American Sign Language (ASL) to facilitate communication between D/deaf or Hard of Hearing (DHH) ASL users and hearing spoken-English users. Provide American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and transliterating services; interpret complex subject matter in a variety of classified, highly technical, sensitive and unique situations from polygraphs, high profile platform interpreting and highly technical transliterations to training and informational discussions for various disciplines and personnel to include Engineers, Mathematicians and Computer Scientists. Prepare appropriately for assignments (for example, reading materials ahead of time, researching terminology for technical communications, researching presenter and audience language styles). Interpreters may provide education or consultation to facilitate interactions for employees, associates, and visitors.
- Demonstrate superior working knowledge of the various modalities of American Sign Language (ASL), including, but not limited to, Pidgin Signed English (PSE), and Manually Coded English (MCE).
- Demonstrate superior and accurate interpretation when working between English and ASL sources/targets.
- Exhibit discretion, professionalism, and sensitivity in the workplace.
- Commute to satellite offices during the work day, as required.
- Travel CONUS and OCONUS to provide accommodations as required.
Specialized Tasks:
Working Under Physically Demanding Conditions
- Perform tasks that involve repetitive motions of the fingers, hands, arms, or other body parts
- Stand, walk, or kneel for long durations of time
- Perform physical activities indoors under extreme conditions (for example, heat, cold, dust, clean-room environment)
- Perform physical activities outdoors under all weather conditions
- Travel domestic and internationally for work purposes
Suggest best practice solutions to problems/issues involving the interpreting profession
Maintain accurate and timely accounting of assignments
Skills:
The candidate must have:
- Valid Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) Certification.
- Ongoing adherence to the RID Code of Professional Conduct (CPC).
The ideal candidate should have:
- Minimum of 4 years' experience as a RID-certified ASL Interpreter.
- At least 1 year of experience as an ASL Interpreter in the DOD or Intelligence Community.
- Ability to interpret and/or transliterate highly specialized terminology and adapt to a wide variety of interpreting settings, incorporating new signs as appropriate to facilitate a cryptologic-associated vocabulary.
- Familiarity with STEM content for language translation purposes.
- Demonstrated Accountability, Computer Literacy, Conflict Management, Continual Learning, Decisiveness, Language Processing, Problem-Solving, Safeguarding Information.
- Superior working knowledge of ASL, Pidgin Signed English (PSE), and Manually Coded English (MCE) in order to simultaneously and/or consecutively interpret and/or transliterate in a variety of settings.
- Skill indicating nuances and tones associated with verbal communication in order to accurately convey the intended message.
- Experience with Intranet, Internet, Microsoft Office Suite (Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Access, PowerPoint, and Excel).
- Valid driver's license (maintain licensure throughout employment).
Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule:
Pay: Salary offers are based on candidates' education level and years of experience relevant to the position and also take into account information provided by the hiring manager/organization regarding the work level for the position.
Salary Range: $73,939 - $185,234 (Full Performance, Senior)
Salary range varies by location, work level, and relevant experience to the position.
Positions are located in Maryland, Georgia, and Texas.
Training will be provided based on the selectee's needs and experience.
Benefits: NSA offers a comprehensive benefits package.
Work Schedule: This is a full-time position, Monday - Friday, with basic 8hr/day work requirement between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (flexible).
DCIPS Trial Period:
If selected for this position, you will be required to serve a two-year DCIPS trial period, unless you are a veterans' preference-eligible employee, in which case you are required to serve a one-year trial period. This trial period runs concurrently with your commitment to the position, if applicable. Before finalizing your appointment at the conclusion of your trial period, NSA will determine whether your continued employment advances the public interest. This decision will be based on factors such as your performance and conduct; the Agency's needs and interests; whether your continued employment would advance the Agency's organizational goals; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
If you do not receive certification for continued employment, you should receive written notice prior to the end of your trial period that your employment will be terminated and the effective date of such termination.
How To Apply - External:
The following four narrative questions provide an opportunity for you to highlight your dedication to public service for the hiring manager and agency leadership (or designee(s)). While your responses are not required and will not be scored, we encourage you to thoughtfully address each question. Please provide a response of 200 words or less to each question. You will be asked to certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) such as a large language model (LLM) like ChatGPT or Copilot. (Please attach in application)
1. How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience.
2. In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes.
3. How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you, and explain how you would help implement them if hired.
4. How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Provide one or two specific examples, and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position.
Apply soonest, as job postings can close earlier than stated end dates due to changes in requirements. It is important to review and note the minimum qualifications, as only those applicants who meet the required qualifications will be contacted to continue the employment process. Please populate the resume tool to showcase any relevant work experience and education related to the position and answer any applicable screening questions. Information collected will be used to determine eligibility, and failure to provide accurate information may result in disqualification for this position.
A confirmation email will be sent after submission of the first application and also after any future updates to submitted applications. **Due to time sensitive communications regarding applications, please ensure your spam filters are configured to accept email from noreply@intelligencecareers.gov. For job vacancies that include stated testing requirements, also include the following: @uwe.nsa.gov, @nsa.gov, and @pearson.com**
U.S. Citizenship is required for all applicants. NSA is an equal opportunity employer and abides by applicable employment laws and regulations. All applicants and employees are subject to random drug testing in accordance with Executive Order 12564. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a security background investigation and polygraph. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to applicants with disabilities during the application and hiring process where appropriate.
DCIPS Disclaimer:
**VETERANS AND TRANSITIONING SERVICE MEMBERS**
Thank you for your service! The National Security Agency (NSA) is part of the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). All positions at NSA are in the Excepted Service under Title 10, United States Codes (U.S.C.), Section 1601 appointment authority.
Veterans' Preference
In accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, \