Summary
The position is located in the Romance Branch, Translating Division, Office of Language Services, Bureau of Administration (A/PRI/LS). The Translating Division prepares diplomatic translations in over one hundred language combinations, both into and out of English, as required by the Department of State, the White House, and, under special or general support agreements, other Federal Government agencies.
Duties
- Compares the English and French language texts of treaties and international agreements, drafts memos citing substantive and non-substantive discrepancies between the two and re-compares texts to determine if discrepancies have been resolved.
- Serves as a reviewer at international conferences, assuming full responsibility for all texts translated into the language(s) of assigned specialty.
- Translates a wide variety of documents, including diplomatic correspondence and instructions, treaties, laws, court records, vital records, news articles and editorials, speeches, position papers, and technical and financial reports.
- Reviews and edits translations prepared by staff and contractor colleagues and provides feedback on proposed changes. Evaluates translation tests for prospective contract and staff translators.
Want more jobs like this?
Get jobs in Washington, DC delivered to your inbox every week.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- U.S. Citizenship is required.
- Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
- This position requires the applicant to pass a Language Proficiency Test.
- Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit: www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/
Applicants must meet all the qualification requirements described below by the closing date of this announcement.
Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service which provided you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following: Experience in translating, interpreting, or other work requiring the use of English and the other language; or a combination of work (that required English and the other language) and training at the Defense Language Institute, Foreign Service Institute, or comparable training.
IN ADDITION, this position requires the following additional specialized experience:
- Experience translating from English into French, a wide variety of documents, types, and subjects, in a variety of formats, for example, diplomatic correspondence, laws, memoranda, speeches, position papers, training materials, presentations, and technical and financial reports.
- Experience reviewing translations to ensure accuracy; completeness; correct grammar and spelling; consistency; proper formatting; and appropriate terminology and register.
- Experience researching terminology and subject matter encountered in translation assignments, using online resources, dictionaries, glossaries and references, as well as terminology databases and consultations with subject matter experts.
- Experience using computer-assisted translation tools such as SDL Trados Studio, MemoQ, WordFast, Déjà Vu, OmegaT or equivalent.
- Must have experience in translation of French into English, and English into French.
ALL APPLICANTS WILL BE TESTED BY THE AGENCY FOR PROFICIENCY ON A PASS/FAIL BASIS PRIOR TO APPOINTMENT.
There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-13 position
Education
Education requirements do not apply to this vacancy announcement.
Additional information
- For reasonable accommodation at the U.S. Department of State, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations at (202) 663-3474 or OAA@state.gov.
- If eligible, telework agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval.
- Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to other similar positions in other Bureaus/Offices in the Department for up to 240 days. Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions.
- Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window Learn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume will be conducted and compared against your responses to the assessment questions to determine if you are qualified for this job. Note: Responses to questions that are not fully supported by the information in your resume may result in adjustments to your rating.
Applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements, as described in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement, will be assigned to one of three quality categories:
- Qualified - In addition to meeting minimum qualifications, applicants must demonstrate a basic level of the required competencies (knowledge, skills and abilities) for the position.
- Well Qualified - In addition to meeting minimum qualifications, applicants must demonstrate proficiency in some but not all of the required competencies (knowledge, skills, and abilities) for the position.
- Highly Qualified - In addition to meeting minimum qualifications, applicants must fully demonstrate proficiency in all of the required competencies (knowledge, skills and abilities) for the position.
- Ability to produce a sight translation.
- Ability to self-review own translations to ensure quality and adherence to instructions.
- Knowledge of source language, with particular attention to the written language.
- Knowledge of source language, with particular attention to the written language.
- Skill at reviewing translations prepared by staff and contract colleagues, and in providing them with positive and negative feedback.
- Ability to interact with colleagues to discuss and resolve terminology and other translation issues.
Agency and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP and ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never been a Federal employee, you are not CTAP or ICTAP eligible. View information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. You must be rated in the Well-Qualified category for this position and submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this job announcement to receive consideration for selection priority.
You may preview questions for this vacancy.