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Multidisciplined Language Analyst / Language Analyst Development Program

Department of Defense
National Security Agency/Central Security Service

Summary

Are you passionate about using your foreign language skills, working at the forefront of NSA's exciting SIGINT mission? Click below to learn more.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
02/02/2026 to 02/07/2026
Salary
$50,460 to - $197,200 per year
Pay scale & grade
GG 7 - 15
Locations
many vacancies in the following locations:
Fort Gordon, GA
Kunia, HI
Fort Meade, MD
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Top Secret
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
1253385
Control number
856208100

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Duties

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NSA's Linguists, known as Multidisciplined Language Analysts (MDLAs), are expected to take an inclusive approach to problem solving and mission accomplishment by frequently engaging with partners, enablers, and customers across the Intelligence Community.

Based on skill level and experience, NSA MDLAs are considered for either the Language Analysis Development Program (LADP) or direct hire into positions supporting an analytic mission office.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • All applicants and employees are subject to random drug testing in accordance with Executive Order 12564.

Qualifications

ENTRY/DEVELOPMENTAL
Entry is with a high school diploma or GED plus 4 years of relevant experience, or an Associate's degree plus 2 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor's degree with no experience. A degree in any field is acceptable.

FULL PERFORMANCE Entry is with a high school diploma or GED plus 7 years of relevant experience, or an Associate's degree plus 5 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor's degree plus 3 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree plus 1 year of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree and no experience. A degree in any field is acceptable.

SENIOR Entry is with a high school diploma or GED plus 10 years of relevant experience, or an Associate's degree plus 8 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor's degree plus 6 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree plus 4 years of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree plus 2 years of relevant experience. A degree in any field is acceptable.

EXPERT Entry is with a high school diploma or GED plus 13 years of relevant experience, or an Associate's degree plus 11 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor's degree plus 9 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree plus 7 years of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree plus 5 years of relevant experience. A degree in any field is acceptable.

When submitting your application, please ensure that you fully populate all sections of the resume tool with all relevant skills, experience, and education, as the resume entered into the tool will be the primary resume used to evaluate your application. Please do NOT populate the resume tool with 'see resume.' Please include in your resume any/all foreign languages you have experience with.

Education

The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position.

Relevant experience must be in one or more of the following: performing professional work in the language (for example, translation, transcription), military, teaching, and analysis; OR non-language work in a field such as intelligence analysis, international relations, security studies, intelligence studies, journalism, law, STEM fields (for example, computer science, chemistry, space or weapons systems, or cyber), and other topics relevant to NSA mission.

Applicant must have a minimum language proficiency of Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) level 2/2 in reading and listening in the target language for which the applicant is being considered,

Additional information

Pay: Salary offers are based on candidates' education level and years of experience relevant to the position and also take into account information provided by the hiring manager/organization regarding the work level for the position.

Salary Range: $50,460 - 197,200 (Entry/Developmental, Full Performance, Senior, Expert) Salary range varies by location, work level, and relevant experience to the position.

Training will be provided based on the selectee's needs and experience.

Benefits: NSA offers a comprehensive benefits package.

Work Schedule: This is a full-time position, Monday - Friday, with basic 8hr/day work requirement between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (flexible).

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Skills:

The ideal candidate is intellectually curious, has a desire for continual learning, and is:

- Proficient (reading and listening) in a foreign language.
- Well organized and able to handle multiple assignments
- A strong written and oral communicator
- Able to synthesize information to solve complex problems
- Able to provide timely and accurate customer service Coursework, knowledge, and experience in one or more of the following is desired:

- Target development
- Social network analysis
- Metadata analysis
- Research methodology
- Topical or Regional studies relevant to national security
- Quantitative/Statistical analysis
- Data modeling, mining, or science
- Cyber security
- Computer science or networking
- Telecommunications Relevant Internships, extracurricular activities, and/or foreign study are also considered. Prior military without a degree but with language analysis cryptologic experience will be considered. In most cases, Experienced Level Language Analysts at NSA will have substantial experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Performing language quality control;
- Serving as an established Subject Matter Expert (SME);
- Authoring and releasing reports;
- Mentoring, coaching, and leading other Language Analysts;
- Ensuring the technical health of the mission;
- Mastering and coaching others on the use of a variety of internal tools;
- Testing at Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) 3/3 levels for one or more mission languages; and
- Displaying a broad knowledge of the Intelligence Community and how various elements work together to prosecute mission.

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