The Office Director for the Language Services Office in the Under Secretary for Management’s Executive Office (M/EX/LS) leads foreign language services supporting the President, Vice President, Secretary of State, White House, and other senior U.S. Government officials. The position leads approximately 60 employees and more than 1,000 contract linguists, providing critical interpreting and translation services for U.S. foreign policy, national security, and diplomatic engagements.
Summary
The Office Director for the Language Services Office in the Under Secretary for Management’s Executive Office (M/EX/LS) leads foreign language services supporting the President, Vice President, Secretary of State, White House, and other senior U.S. Government officials. The position leads approximately 60 employees and more than 1,000 contract linguists, providing critical interpreting and translation services for U.S. foreign policy, national security, and diplomatic engagements.
All groups of qualified individuals.
Noncompetitive (Current career SES, QRB certified graduates of SES candidate development programs and individuals with SES reinstatement eligibility)
You are encouraged to read the entire announcement before you submit your application package. Your application may not get full consideration if you do not follow the instructions as outlined.
The Office Director for M/EX/LS serves as the Department’s senior executive authority for foreign language services, providing strategic leadership and operational oversight for interpreting, translation, and language support for the President, Secretary of State, White House, and other senior U.S. Government officials. Key duties include:
Leads the strategic direction, policy development, and operations of the Language Services Office, establishing standards and priorities for the Department’s interpreting and translation programs and serving as the final Departmental authority for the comparison and certification of bilingual and multilingual treaties, agreements, and official documents.
Directs a global workforce of approximately 60 employees and coordinates language support for major international conferences, negotiations, and other high-level diplomatic engagements, ensuring effective management of interpreters, translators, and support personnel operating across multiple teams, locations, and shifts.
Provides executive oversight of interagency language service partnerships with the White House, national security community, foreign affairs agencies, and other Federal stakeholders, negotiating support agreements and aligning resources, budgets, timelines, and operations with U.S. foreign policy and national security priorities.
Directs an extensive contractor program of more than 1,000 independent linguists and other language personnel, overseeing recruitment, testing, training, contracting, rate-setting, and program administration, as well as the acquisition of interpreting and translation services in accordance with applicable Department of State and Federal requirements.
Verification of Employment Eligibility in the United States is required.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance.
Requires a financial disclosure statement, OGE-278.
One year probationary period, unless excepted by regulation.
This position is a drug-testing designated position subject to random testing for illegal drug use. Appointment will be subject to the applicant’s completion and favorable adjudication of a background security investigation. The Ethics in Government Act, PL 95-521 requires the applicant selected for the this position submit a financial disclosure statement, OGE-278, prior to assuming the SES position, annually and upon termination of employment.
Qualifications
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. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.
As a basic requirement for entry into the SES, applicants must provide evidence of progressively responsible executive leadership and supervisory experience that is indicative of senior executive level management capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) listed below. Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at or above the GS-14/15 grade level in the federal service or its equivalent in the private sector.
The application process to recruit for this position is the RESUME BASED method. You must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Mandatory Technical Qualifications ( MTQs) related to this position withinyour resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit will not be reviewed and will be disqualified. If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position. Please submit your 2-page resume as an additional attachment. It is strongly recommended that you submit your 2-page resume in PDF format.
There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing ECQs or MTQs. Separate narratives will not be accepted or reviewed.
EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs):
YOUR RESUME (NOT TO EXCEED TWO PAGES) MUST CLEARLY DOCUMENT AND DEMONSTRATE THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE OF YOUR ECQs :
ECQ 1 – Commitment to Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding.
This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.
ECQ 2 – Driving Efficiency.
This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.
ECQ 3 – Merit and Competence.
This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.
ECQ 4 – Leading People.
This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable.
ECQ 5 – Achieving Results.
This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.
NOTE: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.
MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION (MTQ)s:
IN ADDITION, YOU WILL BE EVALUATED ON ALL OF THE FOLLOWING MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION (MTQ):
Your responses to the MTQ should be embedded/addressed within your resume not to exceed two pages.
MTQ 1
Demonstrated experience leading or directing language translation and interpretation services for high-level, high-stakes, or time-critical engagements involving senior government, diplomatic, political, business, or other organizational leaders. Experience must include planning and coordinating the language-services requirements of complex engagements; anticipating and resolving linguistic, cultural, protocol, logistical, and operational issues; coordinating professional linguists and other support personnel across multiple teams, functions, or shifts; and working directly with senior officials, political appointees, executives, or their representatives to ensure accurate, timely, and appropriately tailored language support.
MTQ 2
Demonstrated experience managing a complex language-services program or comparable business operation involving multiple specialized professionals, service providers, or contractors. Experience must include establishing and implementing technical and quality standards; evaluating professional performance and service quality; allocating resources among competing requirements; and developing or implementing processes, agreements, or other mechanisms to ensure reliable service delivery. Experience must demonstrate the ability to make authoritative technical and operational decisions across a broad portfolio of services and to sustain service delivery in environments characterized by changing requirements, competing priorities, and significant operational consequences.
NOTE: Your demonstrated leadership ability and the evidence of the ECQs and MTQs must be clearly shown in your resume. A separate narrative statement will not be accepted.
YOU WILL BE ELIMINATED FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION IF YOU FAIL TO FULLY DEMONSTRATE EACH ECQ AND MTQ AND IF YOUR RESUME EXCEEDS TWO (2) PAGES.
Current or Former (within last 5 years) Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize any employment offers made to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Noncareer SES employees in the Executive Branch. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Noncareer SES employee, please indicate this in your resume. Serving in a Schedule A, Schedule C, or Noncareer SES appointment WILL NOT eliminate you from consideration.
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.
Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of its mission, the Department of State requires each and every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully complete a background investigation for Top Secret/Sensitive Compartment Information clearance as a condition of placement in this Special Sensitive position. This review includes financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.
Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.
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.
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 windowLearn more about federal 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.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Veterans’ Preference does not apply to the Senior Executive Service. You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications stated in this vacancy announcement.
A multi-step process is used to evaluate and refer applicants:
1. Minimum requirements: Your application package must show that you meet all the requirements including the education and/or experience required for this position. You will be rated “not qualified” if you do not possess the qualification requirements for the position. If your application is incomplete, you may be found “ineligible”.
2. Rating and Ranking: A panel of subject matter experts will review your application and evaluate your qualifications for this position based on the information in your application. Your application will be evaluated based on the extent and quality of your experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of this position.
3. Referral: If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application will be referred to the selecting official for consideration for interview. The DOS Executive Resources Board (ERB) will review results and make recommendations on final selections to the appointing authority where final interviews and reference checks may occur.
Your supporting documents are an integral part of the process for determining your qualifications for the position. If your responses are not supported by your resume limited to two pages, you will be eliminated from consideration. After reviewing your resume and supporting documentation, if a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Incomplete or late applications will not receive further consideration.
The application process to recruit for this position is the RESUME BASED method. You must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED two (2) pages. Resumes exceeding the two (2) page limit will not reviewed and will be disqualified. If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.
There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the ECQs or MTQs. Separate narratives will not be accepted or reviewed.
Unless you have already been certified by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Review Board (QRB) previously or possess noncompetitive SES eligibility, your executive qualifications must be certified by OPM before a career SES appointment can occur. Candidates seeking initial career SES appointment may be required to participate in a structured QRB interview administered by OPM as part of the certification process. Upon QRB certification, the selected individual will be required to serve a one-year probationary period. For more information regarding the SES, go to https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/.
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 windowLearn more about federal 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.
All required documents listed below must be submitted to our automated system "Gateway to State" prior to the closing date of this announcement, which is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Applicants who do not submit the required documentation WILL NOT be considered for this position.
A complete application includes items described below. Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible).
Please carefully review the following list to determine what documentation you need to submit. Some documents may not apply to all applicants.
1. RESUME: All applicants are required to submit a resume limited to two (2) pages (i.e., 1 page that is double-sided or 2 pages that are one-sided each) showing all relevant experience which demonstrates the ECQs and MTQs listed in the Qualifications section. Applicants seeking initial career appointment to the Senior Executive Service (SES) must include evidence of the ECQs and MTQs. PLEASE DO NOT USE USAJOBS RESUME BUILDER.
Include start and end dates for each position (e.g., month and year; month, day, and year).
2. VACANCY QUESTION/ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSES: Responses are automatically submitted through USA Jobs when you apply to this vacancy.
3. ADDITIONAL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (if applicable): Applicants are required to submit the following supporting documentation if applicable:
CURRENT FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEE: Must provide a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting you are a current Federal Civil Service employee.
Former SES MEMBERS: Must provide your SES appointment SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), and an SF-50 showing current career SES status or career SES reinstatement eligibility.
If you are a former career SES member, you may be eligible for reinstatement if you successfully completed the SES probationary period (or were exempt from the probationary period because you were converted to the SES as a career appointee when the SES was established) and left the SES for reasons other than misconduct, neglect of duty, malfeasance, or less than fully successful performance, or resignation after receipt of a notice proposing or directing removal for such reasons.
SES CANDIDATE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (SESCDP) GRADUATES: Verification of successful completion of an OPM-approved SESCDP and OPM SES QRD certification.
PROOF OF HOLDING A FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE POSITION: If you work(ed) for an agency that does not provide an SF-50—for example, the United States Postal Service—provide documentation that confirms you currently hold or previously held a position in the Federal civil service.
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED: Most recent performance evaluation
IMPORTANT: Failure to meet or demonstrate each ECQs and MTQs in the two (2) page resume may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete applications package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted. Please do not submit any additional information not requested above.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To start your application, click Apply and we’ll walk you through the process to attach a resume and any required documents.
During the application process you can review, edit, delete, and update your information. We’ll automatically save your progress as you go, so you won’t lose any changes. You have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement to complete the application process.
STEP 1: Select the "Apply" button and follow the instructions to register or sign into USAJOBS.
STEP 2: Submit your resume. Please see the Required Documents section for specific information that should be outlined in your resume.
STEP 3: Complete the online assessment questions.
STEP 4: Submit all required documentation applicable to you, as listed in the Required Documents section.
Technical assistance with your on-line application is available through the Help Desk at mgshelp@monster.com or by calling (866) 656-6830 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. ET
Alternate Application Procedures
If applying online poses an extreme hardship, you may request alternate application procedures to submit your application package. Contact the Human Resources office listed on the announcement between the business hours of 8:15 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET at least 2 working days prior to the closing date of this announcement. The application package for alternate application procedures must be submitted and received in the Human Resources office no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on the closing date of this announcement. Paper applications and information sent by mail will not be accepted.
U.S. Department of State
2401 E Street, N.W.
Room H-1104
Washington, District of Columbia 20520
United States
Next steps
After all application packages are received, we will review applications and evaluate applicants’ qualifications. Then, in approximately two weeks after this announcement closes, we will refer candidates, as described in the “How You Will Be Evaluated” section, to the hiring manager for selection consideration. Your application status will be updated up to four times during the following hiring phases:
After applications are received.
After applications are assessed to determine qualifications.
After candidates are referred to the hiring manager.
After a selection is made.
For the selected candidates who receive a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability review and/or security background investigation that generally takes an average of at least two to six months.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
All required documents listed below must be submitted to our automated system "Gateway to State" prior to the closing date of this announcement, which is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Applicants who do not submit the required documentation WILL NOT be considered for this position.
A complete application includes items described below. Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible).
Please carefully review the following list to determine what documentation you need to submit. Some documents may not apply to all applicants.
1. RESUME: All applicants are required to submit a resume limited to two (2) pages (i.e., 1 page that is double-sided or 2 pages that are one-sided each) showing all relevant experience which demonstrates the ECQs and MTQs listed in the Qualifications section. Applicants seeking initial career appointment to the Senior Executive Service (SES) must include evidence of the ECQs and MTQs. PLEASE DO NOT USE USAJOBS RESUME BUILDER.
Include start and end dates for each position (e.g., month and year; month, day, and year).
2. VACANCY QUESTION/ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSES: Responses are automatically submitted through USA Jobs when you apply to this vacancy.
3. ADDITIONAL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (if applicable): Applicants are required to submit the following supporting documentation if applicable:
CURRENT FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEE: Must provide a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting you are a current Federal Civil Service employee.
Former SES MEMBERS: Must provide your SES appointment SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), and an SF-50 showing current career SES status or career SES reinstatement eligibility.
If you are a former career SES member, you may be eligible for reinstatement if you successfully completed the SES probationary period (or were exempt from the probationary period because you were converted to the SES as a career appointee when the SES was established) and left the SES for reasons other than misconduct, neglect of duty, malfeasance, or less than fully successful performance, or resignation after receipt of a notice proposing or directing removal for such reasons.
SES CANDIDATE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (SESCDP) GRADUATES: Verification of successful completion of an OPM-approved SESCDP and OPM SES QRD certification.
PROOF OF HOLDING A FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE POSITION: If you work(ed) for an agency that does not provide an SF-50—for example, the United States Postal Service—provide documentation that confirms you currently hold or previously held a position in the Federal civil service.
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED: Most recent performance evaluation
IMPORTANT: Failure to meet or demonstrate each ECQs and MTQs in the two (2) page resume may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete applications package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted. Please do not submit any additional information not requested above.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To start your application, click Apply and we’ll walk you through the process to attach a resume and any required documents.
During the application process you can review, edit, delete, and update your information. We’ll automatically save your progress as you go, so you won’t lose any changes. You have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement to complete the application process.
STEP 1: Select the "Apply" button and follow the instructions to register or sign into USAJOBS.
STEP 2: Submit your resume. Please see the Required Documents section for specific information that should be outlined in your resume.
STEP 3: Complete the online assessment questions.
STEP 4: Submit all required documentation applicable to you, as listed in the Required Documents section.
Technical assistance with your on-line application is available through the Help Desk at mgshelp@monster.com or by calling (866) 656-6830 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. ET
Alternate Application Procedures
If applying online poses an extreme hardship, you may request alternate application procedures to submit your application package. Contact the Human Resources office listed on the announcement between the business hours of 8:15 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET at least 2 working days prior to the closing date of this announcement. The application package for alternate application procedures must be submitted and received in the Human Resources office no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on the closing date of this announcement. Paper applications and information sent by mail will not be accepted.
U.S. Department of State
2401 E Street, N.W.
Room H-1104
Washington, District of Columbia 20520
United States
Next steps
After all application packages are received, we will review applications and evaluate applicants’ qualifications. Then, in approximately two weeks after this announcement closes, we will refer candidates, as described in the “How You Will Be Evaluated” section, to the hiring manager for selection consideration. Your application status will be updated up to four times during the following hiring phases:
After applications are received.
After applications are assessed to determine qualifications.
After candidates are referred to the hiring manager.
After a selection is made.
For the selected candidates who receive a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability review and/or security background investigation that generally takes an average of at least two to six months.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
