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Q- What type of linguists work for the NVTC?
A- The majority of the NVTC's linguists are drawn from the private sector as Independent Contract Linguists (ICL’s) and linguists who work for vendors under contract to the NVTC. Career linguists from Federal agencies and military linguists also provide services to the NVTC as authorized through agreements facilitating interagency assistance.
Q- Where are NVTC linguists located?
A- Linguists live and work throughout the United States. They may perform work at Government or contractor facilities, or in their residence (depending upon the type and security classification of the requirement). This flexibility makes the NVTC a very attractive opportunity.
Q- What does “Independent Contract Linguist” mean?
A- An Independent Contract (ICL) is a linguist who is not affiliated with a language services company (although some ICL’s have chosen to incorporate). An ICL enjoys the highest degree of flexibility in accepting or declining work, since the ICL is paid for the number of hours worked (when the requirement is a gist or summary) or for the total number of words accurately produced (in the case of a full translation). Upon successful completion of the proficiency testing and security clearance process, the ICL joins a roster of highly qualified professionals who have chosen to be available to the NVTC to perform work. The relationship is formalized through a Blanket Ordering Agreement (BOA), issued once a year. The BOA sets down the specific terms and conditions of the partnership between the NVTC and the linguist. The linguist is not guaranteed a predetermined amount of work, nor does the linguist have to obligate himself/herself to perform work. Each assignment is negotiated as to the availability, due dates and where the work may be performed. Fixed rates are established by the Government. The ICL submits a monthly invoice for the work performed, and, once certified, the amount is electronically sent to the linguists account within 30 days from the date the invoice was sent by the NVTC. ICL’s are self-employed and do not receive benefits, however many ICL’s work with the NVTC in addition to their full or part time job, or while attending college.
Q- I am an FBI Contract Linguist (CL) or Contract Language Monitor (CLM); can I work for the NVTC?
A- Yes. As an FBI CL or CLM you are already eligible to work for the NVTC. For further information please click on “contact us” on our website and select “General Public.”
Q- Will you hire me as an Independent Contract Linguist if I am in the military/government?
A- Under exceptional circumstances, the NVTC may be authorized to hire military/government personnel who possess unique skills in an extremely rare and/or critical language. In these circumstances, the NVTC will seek to obtain a Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) waiver. In addition, Federal civilian and military personnel must receive written permission from their agency or command to work a second job. If you are a current Government employee or active duty military personnel and possess rare and/or critical language skills, please contact us for additional information on becoming an Independent Contract Linguist.
Q- What is your specific hiring process?
A- If your application is selected, it will be forwarded to the FBI office that is closest to you. They will then contact you to schedule you for language testing. If you pass each section of the language test, you will begin a security clearance process. Once you’ve completed these two sequential processes, you will be notified of your eligibility to be hired as an NVTC Independent Contract Linguist, Contract Monitor, or Contract Document Translator. This process could take up to a year; please be patient with us.
Each process is outlined below:
Clearance Process:
- Personal Security Interview and Polygraph
- Credit Check
- Background Investigation
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Testing Process:
- Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT) *
- English Composition Test (only if the DLPT does not exist for your language)
- Translation Test from Foreign Language into English
- Oral Proficiency Interview in Foreign Language
- Oral Proficiency Interview in English
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*The DLPT consists of reading or listening to passages in the foreign language and answering multiple choice questions in the English language.
Q- I am not a US citizen, can I apply?
A- No, we require U.S. citizenship. Permanent Residents (Green Card) holders will not be considered at this time.
Q- I am a US citizen but I currently work/live overseas, can I apply?
A- No, at this time we require that our applicants reside within the U.S.
Q- Do you offer internships?
A- Currently we are accepting internships through the FBI Honors Internship Program. Be sure to check our website for changes in policy on internships next year.
Q- How much do NVTC Translators make?
A- NVTC linguists are paid on a per word basis if the requirement is a document-to-document full verbatim translation. All other translation work is paid per hour.
Q- Is on-line the only way to submit an application for a contract linguist positions?
A- Yes. All applicants must submit their applications online.
Q- What if someone submits false information?
A- Providing false information or failing to answer all questions truthfully and completely are grounds for not hiring, or dismissal after a person begins work. NVTC applicants go through a vigorous security clearance process to eliminate dishonest applicants.
Q- When will my on-line application be reviewed?
A- Your application will be automatically assessed by the system instantly. However, the needs of the NVTC will determine when your application will be reviewed. The NVTC recruiter will conduct a comprehensive review and select applications based on the NVTC’s current and projected language needs. If you are selected, you will be contacted for further processing. If your application is selected, but for some reason the NVTC is unable to process your application you will then receive a letter in the mail. If your services are not needed at this time then your application will remain on file. You cannot go back into the system and change your on-line application. The entire process, including testing and the security process, could take up to a year.
Q- Are there any technical or equipment requirements to become an NVTC linguist?
A- Yes, an NVTC linguist is expected to possess fundamental computer literacy skills which include; word processing, updating virus definitions/protection, zipping/unzipping files, a sound knowledge of the procedures for sending/receiving e-mail including e-mail with attached files, a sound knowledge of navigating within the World Wide Web, and general familiarity with their own hardware, software, and operating system environment. Once you have successfully completed in-processing (proficiency testing and background investigation), and you have been approved to work from home, you will need the following on your home computer in order to receive and transmit material to and from the NVTC:
Technical Requirements:
- Internet Service Provider (ISP) with a connection rate greater than dialup (56k).
- Computer Hardware & Software requirements include Pentium II 300 MHz or higher, 64 MB Ram or higher, Cable or DSL modem, 8X CD-ROM or higher, Sound Card and Speakers, and at least 5 Gig of free hard drive space or more.
- Operating System requirements include Microsoft Windows ME, Microsoft Windows 2000, and Microsoft Windows XP.
- Software requirements include a word processing package, e-mail software that supports file attachments, anti-virus protection, and Adobe Acrobat.
- Browsers include Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or greater and Netscape 7.0 or greater.
Q- Where can I request information regarding my rejected application?
A- The 1966 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) permits any person to request access to federal agency records or information. Federal agencies are required to disclose records upon receipt of a written request, except for records that are protected from disclosure by nine exemptions or three exclusions in the Act. Persons are also able to request documents in an electronic format under the 1996 Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments (EFOIA).
Q- Is the NVTC an Equal Opportunity Employer?
A- As an element of the Federal Government, the NVTC does practices in equal opportunity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, or sexual orientation.
Q- I’m having trouble applying on-line, can you help me?
A- If you have already applied on-line with the FBI or the NVTC, our system does not allow you to go back in and make changes. If you are having trouble applying on-line, you can send your resume directly to dni-nvtc-customerservice@ugov.gov (please only do this if you cannot submit an online application; your resume will be discarded if you already have an application on-line).
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