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Chinese Mandarin Language Instructor - Experienced Level (Maryland)

Department of Defense
National Security Agency/Central Security Service

Summary

A highly-skilled workforce like NSA continually needs professional Educators and Training Experts to advance our employees career development. Positions ranging from Career Advisors to Curriculum Managers to Instructional Designers currently exist.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted yesterday · Apply in 3 days
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 19, 2026
Location
Few vacancies in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Salary
$121,785 - $187,093 per year
Pay scale & grade
GG 13 - 14
Promotion potential
None
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Not required
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Excepted Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
Yes
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
1258607
Control number
873115300

Videos

Duties

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Language Instructors at the National Security Agency employ the latest principles of adult learning and second language acquisition to design, develop and deliver platform training (including video and directed studies), and/or web-based training for beginning through advanced level language analysts.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • All applicants and employees are subject to random drug testing in accordance with Executive Order 12564. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a security background investigation and polygraph.

Qualifications

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

SENIOR
Entry is with a high school diploma or equivalent plus 6 years of relevant experience, or an Associate's degree plus 4 years relevant experience, or a Bachelor's degree plus 2 years of relevant experience.

Degree in any field is acceptable.

At least one year of relevant experience must be in either: language instruction (formal or informal) at a secondary level or higher, or identifying and developing authentic materials to support language learning objectives. Additional relevant experience may include designing, developing, or evaluating course content in the relevant subject matter; assessing student performance; instructional systems design (ISD); or language-related experience in an area directly related to NSA mission. Applicant must have minimum language proficiency of Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) Level 3/3 in reading and listening in the target foreign language for which the applicant is being considered.

In special cases (for example, hard to fill positions in critical or less-common languages/dialects) where no viable applicants are available with the minimum language proficiency level required, applicants with ILR Level 3 in one mode and 2+ in the other will be considered, but will be required to reach Level 3/3 within 2 years.

**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 ensure that your resume reflects your experience in/with the Chinese language.

Education

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

Degree in any field is acceptable.

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: $121,785-$187,093 (Senior Level)
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).

DCIPS Trial Period:
If selected for this position, you will be required to serve a two-year DCIPS trial period, unless you are a veterans' preference-eligible employee, in which case you are required to serve a one-year trial period. This trial period runs concurrently with your commitment to the position, if applicable. Before finalizing your appointment at the conclusion of your trial period, NSA will determine whether your continued employment advances the public interest. This decision will be based on factors such as your performance and conduct; the Agency's needs and interests; whether your continued employment would advance the Agency's organizational goals; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

If you do not receive certification for continued employment, you should receive written notice prior to the end of your trial period that your employment will be terminated and the effective date of such termination.

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.

The ideal candidate will be proficient in Chinese Mandarin. Will possess strong communications skills and effective interpersonal skills. As well as:

- Interpreting cultural references and the meaning of foreign language material including, acronyms, jargon, slang, idioms, and proverbs specific to the Chinese language.
- Exhibiting subject matter expertise related to a country, region, or people.
- Evaluating language proficiency (reading, listening, speaking, and writing).
- Determining difficulty level of written and aural language materials.
- Experience with on-line learning apps (e.g. Blackboard, Canvas, and MS Teams).

**NOTE: For full consideration, you will be required to schedule and complete the in-person (proctored) Language Proficiency and/or Language Aptitude testing within four (4) weeks of receiving link. Paid travel may be necessary due to the availability of testing sites.

**Testing instructions will be provided through your email. Be diligent with monitoring your email and SPAM to ensure you do not miss time sensitive information.

**Applicants must have a minimum language proficiency of Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) level 3/3 in reading and listening in the target language for which the applicant is being considered.

**Level 3 - Able to understand formal and informal Spoken language and Written material with accuracy on general social and professional topics and tasks.

**Following testing, those applicants selected for interview will receive an invitation via email with further instructions. Be diligent with monitoring your email and SPAM to ensure you do not miss time sensitive information.

National Security Agency/Central Security Service

Agency contact information

NSA POC
Phone
1-844-424-4737
Email
intelcareers@nsa.gov
Address
NSA External Hiring
9800 Savage Road
Fort Meade, MD 20755
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at National Security Agency/Central Security Service, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://www.nsa.gov/careers/

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