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At the DIA, people are our most important asset. You have the expertise to serve your country in a demanding role. As an incentive, you can supplement your salary if you qualify for Foreign Language Proficiency Pay (FLPP).
In general, DIA does not employ individuals due to foreign language skills alone. There are only a very small number of translator or interpreter positions. Foreign language proficiency is considered in hiring decisions for intelligence officers.
Intelligence officers use language skills to read foreign textual material, listen to foreign audio or spoken content or to converse with individuals in another language. There are virtually no requirements to write in a foreign language.
FLPP is a discretionary payment designed to enhance mission requirement capabilities; it is not an entitlement. FLPP eligibility criteria and rates align FLPP resources with mission-related language use requirements. Under DIA's policy, FLPP eligibility for all DIA employees require a minimum proficiency level 2/2/2 (listening/reading/speaking) as measured by the Defense Language Proficiency Tests (DLPT) and Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI). New FLPP rates will be phased in during calendar year 2013.
The U.S. Government uses the Inter agency language Roundtable (ILR) standardized descriptors of foreign language proficiency for listing comprehension, reading comprehension and speaking ability. Please review these standards at dia.mil/careers to familiarize yourself with these standards prior to providing a response concerning your foreign language proficiency.
DIA uses the Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT) to test listening and reading proficiency. In cases that a DLPT does not exist, DIA will specify an alternate test.
DIA uses a certified Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) to test speaking proficiency. This is conducted through a proctored telephonic interview.
You will be required to validate/revalidate your proficiency through a DLPT and OPI prior to a final hiring determination.