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Sign Language Interpreter

Department of Defense
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

Summary

Sign Language Interpreters facilitate communications with deaf and hard-of-hearing employees in a variety of settings using a wide range of interpreting techniques. They act as an advocate for the provision of interpreting services, as well as an advocate for the profession of interpreting. They may be responsible for administering interpreting services programs.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted this week · Apply by 08/01/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on August 1, 2026
Location
Many vacancies in the following locations:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$76,573 - $158,322 per year
Pay scale & grade
IA 03
Promotion potential
03
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time - Full Time
Travel Required
25% or less - Travel Required 25% or Less
Appointment type
Permanent - This is a permanent position.
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Excepted Service
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Announcement number
20260194
Control number
872648000

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

External Applicants Only

Duties

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: As a Sign Language Interpreter at NGA, you will facilitate vital communication for Deaf and Hard of Hearing employees across a variety of complex, intelligence-related settings. Operating within the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), you will serve as a primary interpreter, a subject matter expert on reasonable accommodations, and a key administrator for the agency's Sign Language Interpreting (SLI) Services Program.

The selectee will join a dynamic interpreting team within the Reasonable Accommodation: Sign Language Interpreters Branch.
Primary duties include:
* Active Interpreting: Providing high-level American Sign Language (ASL)/English interpretation and transliteration for NGA employees during meetings, training sessions, conferences, and other work-related situations.
* Program Administration & Scheduling: Assisting with the daily provision of interpreting services, including scheduling support, resource coordination, and general administrative support for the SLI Services Program.
* Contract Oversight Support: Monitoring the performance of contract interpreters in coordination with the Government Point of Contact (GPOC), Program Manager (PM), and Contracting Officer's Representative (COR).
* Advising & Education: Developing and delivering training materials for the NGA workforce regarding the SLI Services Program and acting as an advocate for the interpreting profession.
* Accommodation Resolution: Assisting the EEO in identifying and resolving accommodation issues in partnership with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.
* Travel: Traveling locally and globally (CONUS and OCONUS) up to 25% of the time to support mission requirements.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • US Citizenship is required.
  • Designated or Random Drug Testing required.
  • Security Investigation

SPECIAL INFO:
As a condition of employment at NGA, persons being considered for employment must meet NGA fitness for employment standards.

- U.S. Citizenship

- Security Clearance - Top Secret /Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI)

- Polygraph & Drug Test

- Direct Deposit

- Trial Period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. We may consider: performance conduct; needs and interests of the agency; and whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government and the efficiency of the Federal service

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
You must be able to obtain and retain a Top Secret security clearance with access to SCI. In addition, you are subject to a Counterintelligence Polygraph examination in order to maintain access to Top Secret information. All employees are subject to a periodic examination on a random basis in order to determine continued eligibility. Refusal to take the examination may result in denial of access to Top Secret information, SAP, or unescorted access to SCIFs.

Employees with SCI access and who are under NGA cognizance are required to submit a Security Financial Disclosure Report, SF-714, on an annual basis in order to determine continued eligibility. Failure to comply may negatively impact continued access to Top Secret information, Information Systems, SAP, or unescorted access to SCIFs.


NGA utilizes all processes and procedures of the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). Non-executive NGA employees are assigned to five distinct pay bands based on the type and scope of work performed. The employee's base salary is established within their assigned pay band based on their unique qualifications. A performance pay process is conducted each year to determine a potential base pay salary increase and/or bonus. An employee's annual performance evaluation is a key factor in the performance pay process.

This position is a DCIPS position in the Excepted Service under 10 U.S.C. 1601. DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans' Preference to preference eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are an external applicant claiming veterans' preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you must self-identify your eligibility.

Qualifications

MANDATORY QUALIFICATION CRITERIA: For this particular job, applicants must meet all competencies reflected under the Mandatory Qualification Criteria to include education (if required). Online resumes must demonstrate qualification by providing specific examples and associated results, in response to the announcement's mandatory criteria specified in this vacancy announcement:

1. Experience interpreting a variety of subject matters in compliance with the Registry for the Deaf (RID) Code of Professional Conduct.
2. Experience assessing information on customer requests to document technical or operational requirements
3. Experience collaborating with others, such as peers, customers, management, and/or external stakeholders.
4. Knowledge of Deaf Culture and communication preferences as they adhere to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: A minimum of 6 years of experience in facilitating communications with deaf and hard-of-hearing employees or a related area that demonstrates the ability to successfully perform the duties associated with this work. -AND- LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS: Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) Professional Interpreter Certification -OR- A proficiency level of 4 or 5 from the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) -AND- May require state licensure.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT: Prolonged periods of standing; Near visual acuity of 20/40 or better with or without corrective lenses; Hearing - 25 dB or better, aided or unaided, for 250 - 4000 hz frequencies; Repetitive use of both hands/arms; Far visual acuity of 20/40 or better binocular with or without corrective lenses; Prolonged periods of sitting

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATION CRITERIA: In addition to the mandatory qualifications, experience in the following is desired:

1. Experience providing advisory support to address customer and/or organizational needs.
2. Knowledge of federal Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) programs, reasonable accommodation processes, and how SLI services integrate into these frameworks
3. Experience with fostering communication and collaboration across internal and external organizations.

Additional information

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.

Applicants are not required to submit a cover letter for employment consideration with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. However, a cover letter is recommended. Applicants will have the option to attach a cover letter in the Qualifications - Attachments step of the online application.

APPLICANT EVALUATION PROCESS:

1) All applicants will be evaluated using the Mandatory Qualification Criteria,

2) Qualified applicants will then be evaluated by an expert or panel of experts using a combination of qualification criteria to determine the best-qualified candidates,

3) Best-qualified applicants may then be further evaluated through an interview process.

Military retiree applicants, if selected, may be impacted by the 180-day appointment restrictions of DODI 1402.01. HD personnel will provide additional information if applicable.

Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the Assignment Description, Additional Information Provided By the Selecting Official, and the Qualification Requirements; and then construct their resumes to highlight their most relevant and significant experience and education for this job opportunity. This description should include examples that detail the level and complexity of the performed work. Applicants are encouraged to provide any education or degree information referenced in the announcement that is relevant. If education is listed as a mandatory requirement, only degrees obtained from an institution accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the Secretary, US Department of Education will be accepted. You must use the NGA resume builder and limit your resume to 2 pages.

In accordance with section 9902(h) of title 5, United States Code, annuitants reemployed in the Department of Defense shall receive full annuity and salary upon appointment. They shall not be eligible for retirement contributions, participation in the Thrift Savings Plan, or a supplemental or re-determined annuity for the reemployment period. Discontinued service retirement annuitants (i.e., retired under section 8336(d)(1) or 8414(b)(1)(A) of title 5, United States Code) appointed to the Department of Defense may elect to be subject to retirement provisions of the new appointment as appropriate. (See DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 300). Reemployed annuitants must meet additional selection criteria as outlined in the DODI 1400.25, v300.

All candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, disability, or sexual orientation.

NGA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Applications will only be accepted online. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify us at recruitment@nga.mil. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.

National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

Agency contact information

Recruitment
Phone
571-557-1999
Email
Recruitment@nga.mil
Address
NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL-INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Mailstop: S44-HDR
7500 GEOINT Drive
Springfield, VA 22150
US

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https://www.nga.mil/about/pages/default.aspx

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