Sign Language Interpreter/Reading Specialist

Who May Apply

This position advertised has been exempted from the federal civilian hiring freeze.

• Appointing organization (FBI)
• Type of position (full-time, part-time, etc.)
• Same or higher grade
• Duty location (city or state)
• Type of appointment (permanent, temporary, etc.)

Job Opening : 60252

Open to ALL U.S. Citizens

July 16, 2025

Closing Date: July 30, 2025 11:59 pm (EST)

Questions regarding this opening should be directed to

Job Summary

Position: Sign Language Interpreter/Reading Specialist, GS-12/13

Division: Office of EEO Affairs

Unit: Services Unit

Location: Washington, D.C./ Huntsville, AL

Working Hours: 8:00am - 4:30pm (Flexible)

Salary:

Washington, D.C.

GS-12 $101,401.00 - $131,826.00

GS-13 $120,579.00 - $156,755.00

Huntsville, AL

GS-12 $92,293.00 - $119,986.00

GS-13 $109,749.00 - $142,676.00

Full Performance level: GS-13

Number of Positions Available: 2

Duration: Full Time/Permanent

Additional selections may be made from this announcement to fill positions within the same division when the position includes substantially the same duties, responsibilities, and qualifications.

In accordance with Federal Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) laws and regulations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Affairs (OEEOA) provides the guidance and tools necessary to support FBI mission accomplishment in an environment free from unlawful discrimination, retaliation, and disruptive workplace discord. The FBI provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Through the American Sign Language Interpretation/Reading Services program (ASLIP), the FBI provides reasonable and effective accommodations in the form of interpreting services for the Deaf/hard of hearing individuals and reading services for the blind/low vision individuals who interface with the FBI.

Key Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Must be able to obtain a Top Secret clearance
• Must possess certification from Registry for Interpreters of the Deaf (RID) or other national certification body (e.g., National Interpreter Certification).
• Selectee will be required to pass a linguistic evaluation as part of the interview process. Staff interpreters will participate in the interview process with each selectee, separate from the structured interpreting session.

Mission Statement:

The mission of the FBI is to protect the American People and uphold the Constitution of the United States.

Major Duties

GS-12:

• Serve as one of the coordinators and principal resources for the OEEOA ASLIP program, advocating accommodations supported by the Rehabilitation Act (1973) and required by the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), and FBI policy.
• Participate in frequent deployments and travel requirements, including working days and nights, based on the needs of the client.
• Provide reading services for employees who are blind/low vision in the FBI.
• Provide American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting services to Deaf/hard of hearing employees, visitors, applicants, persons interacting with Federal and local law enforcement entities, high-level management, dignitaries at the Division and FBI Headquarter level, as well as various field offices and resident agencies throughout the FBI.
• Assesses and potentially advises supervisors and executive management on the needs of Deaf/hard of hearing employees, to determine service requirements.
• Prepares or assists with analytical and statistical data reports, assessing trends, and evaluating effectiveness.
• Testify in court on behalf of the FBI on any supported cases.

GS-13 In addition to the major duties above:

• Provide oversight and independent execution of major projects affecting the Deaf or blind customers, including but not limited to - projects in technology, contract development, creation of new SLI positions.
• Prepare written communications and make oral presentations, including training, to diverse groups (field offices, divisions, law enforcement agencies), representing the ASLIP program.
• Conducts studies of management practices and FBI processes affecting Deaf or blind clients, to identify areas of improvement and make recommendations for changes.
• Engages in partnerships and establishes relationships with the interpreting programs of Department of Justice (DOJ) components and Other Government Agencies (OGAs).
• Serves as the Contracting Officer's Technical Representative for interpreting services and support.

Qualifications and Evaluations

Please make sure your specialized experience/requirement(s) can be identified in your resume. Applicants must meet the qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Your application will be evaluated and rated under the FBI's Candidate Rating Procedures. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed in this announcement and will be compared to your responses to the online assessment questionnaire. High self-assessment in the vacancy questions that is not supported by information in your resume, and/or supporting documents may eliminate you from Most Competitive status.

Your application will then be placed in one of three categories: Most Competitive, Competitive, or Least Competitive. Names of candidates in the Most Competitive category will be sent to the hiring official for employment consideration. Veterans' preference will be applied.

All applicants will be rated on the following Competencies:

• Communication
• Flexibility/Adaptability
• Interpersonal Ability
• Organizing and Planning
• Customer Service
• Interpretation

Specialized Experience (SE):

GS-12: In addition to the above, applicant must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. SE is defined as follows:

• Experience with knowledge of sources for the contracting of sign language interpreter services.
• Experience with knowledge of telecommunication devices for the deaf.
• Experience with knowledge and understanding of various employment practices, disability issues, and conditions that constitute barriers to equal employment opportunities.

GS-13: In addition to the above, applicant must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. SE is defined as follows:

• Experience communicating effectively with persons at all levels of the Bureau, community leaders, and management personnel in other organizations.
• Experience developing training curriculum and utilizing various teaching methods and audiovisual equipment during the instruction of sign language courses.
• Experience preparing written narrative reports in order to explain procedures, regulations, and concepts.
• Experience adjusting and communicating without disrupting the flow of communication.

How to Apply

For detailed instructions related to applying, uploading documents, withdrawing an application or updating your application, please review instructions on . If applying online is a hardship, please use the contact information listed in the vacancy announcement prior to the closing date for assistance.

Required Documents

To apply to this position, interested applicants must provide a complete application package by the closing date which includes:

Your resume, specifically noting relevant work experience and associated start and end dates

A complete assessment questionnaire

Other supporting documents ( if applicable ):

• College transcripts, if qualifying based on education or if there is a positive education requirement
• Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50; not applicable to current FBI employees
• Memorandum for Record (MFR), Please see Additional Information
• Most recent Performance Appraisal; not applicable to current FBI employees
• Veterans: DD 214; Disabled Veterans: DD 214, SF-15, and VA letter dated 1991 or later

Documents that were uploaded one or more years ago will need to be uploaded again. Although an applicant may see these documents within their current profile, the HR Specialists may not have access to view them. All applicants are being asked to upload another copy (if applicable) to ensure the staffing units can review the complete application.

You must complete this application process and submit any required documents by 11:59 p.m. (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. If applying online is a hardship, please contact the HR Specialist listed in the vacancy announcement prior to the closing date for assistance.

What to Expect Next

Once your complete application is received we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The Most Competitive candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified of your status throughout the process.

Additional Information

• Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols. Positions with fitness for duty requirements or those that require international travel may require proof of certain vaccinations.
• The FBI is in the Executive Branch of the federal government. It is one of the components of the Department of Justice (DOJ). The FBI is the principle investigative arm of the DOJ. All FBI positions are in the excepted service.
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens and consent to a complete background investigation, urinalysis, and polygraph. You must be suitable for Federal employment; as determined by a background investigation.
• Failure to provide necessary and relevant information required by this vacancy announcement may disqualify you from consideration. Additional information will not be requested if your application is incomplete. Your application will be evaluated solely on the basis of information you have submitted.
• Management may select any grade for which this position has been announced.
• Identification of promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. Promotion will depend upon administrative approval and the continuing need for an actual assignment and performance of higher-level duties.
• Memorandum for Record: Work performed outside assigned duties (that would not normally be documented on an SF-50, i. e., back-up duties), has to be documented in detail by an immediate supervisor in order to receive full credit for amount of time worked in that position. If no documentation is furnished no credit will be given for time worked in that position. The following notations must be specified in the documentation (Memorandum for Record):

a. Percent of time worked in the particular position (cannot conflict with main duties)
b. The month/year work began
c. Frequency worked (i.e., daily, monthly, etc.)
d. Specific duties performed

Attach the Memorandum for Record to your application in the "Cover Letters and Attachments" section of My Career Tools on the Careers Home page. Please upload the attachment as type "Other."

Veterans' Preference

If you are entitled to veterans' preference, you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume and application. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency.

Nepotism

Nepotism is the act of favoring relatives in the hiring process, and is prohibited by law. Public officials are prohibited from hiring or promoting relatives or relatives of officials in their chain of command, as well as actively or indirectly endorse a relative's appointment or promotion.

During the hiring process, all selected candidates and FBI hiring managers will be required to certify they are not related to anyone involved in the hiring process.

Reasonable Accommodation Request

The FBI provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and/or hiring process, please notify the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Affairs (OEEOA) Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Program by either e-mail at REASONABLE_ACCOMMODA@fbi.gov , telephone at 202-324-2158, or FAX at 202-324-3976. Your request will receive an individualized assessment.

This e-mail address is only for reasonable accommodation requests. Please do not submit your application and/or any questions unrelated to reasonable accommodations. Should any applications be received, they will not be forwarded for consideration during the hiring process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The FBI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for this vacancy. Unless explicitly authorized by law, selection will be made without regard to, and there will be no discrimination because of, color, race, religion, national origin, marital status, parental status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, age (40 or over), sex, on the basis of personal favoritism, or any other non-merit factors.

Benefits

The FBI offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.

This link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to Federal employees: http://www.opm.gov/insure/new_employ/index.asp