Depending upon your skill level, educational level, and career goals, the FBI offers four types of career opportunities for Linguists:

• Contract Linguist
• Contract Language Monitor
• Contract Tester
• Special Agent Linguist

Contract Linguist

FBI Contract Linguists primarily perform document-to-document or audio-to-document translation services on any subject matter for which the FBI has jurisdiction. The material may relate to a terrorist organization, a highly sensitive intelligence matter, an organized crime investigation, or any other matter over which the FBI has jurisdiction. Working directly with the original recordings or documents, you are the first person to determine the relevance of intelligence collected, and to analyze and put the information into context. On occasion, Contract Linguists render translations from English into the target language. Contract Linguists may also assist with interviews, interrogations, and polygraph examinations.

Working hours will depend upon the FBI's needs and your availability. You will be paid an hourly rate as determined by your foreign language and your proficiency level. This rate will be set forth in the contract that is executed between you and the FBI. As a Contract Linguist, you are self-employed and therefore do not receive FBI fringe benefits.

Contract Linguist opportunities are available in many major U.S. metropolitan areas and can include travel opportunities. Because of security concerns and evidence protection policies, you must work in FBI space rather than in your own home or office.

As an FBI Contract Linguist, you are offered the opportunity to work for the National Virtual Translation Center (NVTC), an interagency element which provides translation services to a variety of government agencies. The NVTC uses the services of the FBI to process applications of candidates wishing to provide these services. For more information about the NVTC, please visit www.nvtc.gov.

After working as a Contract Linguist, some individuals may also be offered the opportunity to become FBI Language Specialists. This is a full-time FBI position that requires outstanding language skills and a high school diploma or its equivalent.

Applicants for the FBI Contract Linguist position must meet all of the following requirements:

• United States citizenship
• Willingness to renounce dual citizenship
• Professional-level fluency in Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening to a foreign language needed by the FBI
• Ability to pass a language proficiency test battery
• Ability to meet all FBI Employment Requirements, pass an FBI Background Investigation, and receive a Top Secret Security Clearance
• Availability to work 20 hours or more per week, if work is available, during normal business hours (Contract Linguists are not guaranteed a set amount of hours)

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Contract Language Monitor

FBI Contract Language Monitors perform summary translations of voice recordings and text material. The subject matter may be in any area for which the FBI has jurisdiction.

Working hours will depend upon the FBI's needs and your availability. You will be paid an hourly rate as determined by your foreign language and your proficiency level. This rate will be set forth in the contract that is executed between you and the FBI. As a Contract Language Monitor, you are self-employed and therefore do not receive FBI fringe benefits.

Contract Language Monitor opportunities are available in many major U.S. metropolitan areas and can include travel opportunities. Because of security concerns and evidence protection policies, you must work in FBI space rather than in your own home or office.

Applicants for the FBI Contract Monitor position must meet all of the following requirements:

• United States citizenship
• Willingness to renounce dual citizenship
• Professional-level fluency in a foreign language needed by the FBI
• Ability to pass a language proficiency test battery
• Ability to meet all FBI Employment Requirements, pass an FBI Background Investigation, and receive a Top Secret Security Clearance
• Availability to work 20 hours or more per week, if work is available, during normal business hours (Contract Monitors are not guaranteed a set amount of hours)

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Contract Tester

FBI Contract Tester's administer Speaking Proficiency Tests over the telephone. Speaking Proficiency Tests typically take one hour and are given in many languages, including English. You will be paid a flat rate per test. How many tests you will be scheduled to give depends on FBI needs. Contract Testers are self-employed and therefore do not receive fringe benefits.

Requirements:

• You must take a Speaking Proficiency Test in the language you will test and score at the well-educated native speaker level
• If your testing language is not English, you must pass an English speaking test at the professional level
• You must attend a two-week workshop in Washington, D.C.
• You will have to provide the times during business hours when you will be available to test each week.

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Special Agent Linguists

Special Agent Linguists are called upon to use their language and investigative skills to block terrorist activities…collect evidence of espionage activities…monitor court-authorized wiretaps…handle sensitive undercover assignments, and more. Special Agent Linguists assist in important aspects of investigative work, including conducting surveillance, interviewing witnesses and suspects, apprehending fugitives and criminals, collecting evidence, or providing courtroom testimony.

Candidates for the Special Agent Linguist position must have proficiency in a language needed by the FBI. Candidates must also meet all of the FBI Special Agent Qualification Requirements and follow the Special Agent Application and Hiring Process.

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