The position is in the non-European Branch, Interpreting Division of the Office of Language Services of the Department of State. The Division traditionally handles the interpreting assignments in the Federal Government, including service for the President, cabinet members, and congressional leaders.
Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 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 with simultaneous and consecutive interpreting at the conference level from Japanese into English and from English into Japanese at the senior level of the U.S. Government. Experience interpreting in meetings at the conference level on behalf of senior members of governments, including one-on-ones, bilateral meetings and press events. Experience with the contemporary politics, economy, international relations, and the other country or countries in which Japanese are spoken. THE FOLLOWING SELECTIVE FACTOR IS REQUIRED: Must have experience in interpretation of Japanese into English and English into Japanese. The following are examples of work in the required language that may have provided the required abilities: translator; interpreter; librarian or information specialist required to make abstracts, screen, index, and scan material; intelligence; writer or editor; international organizational work, such as the Peace Corps, World Bank, United Nations, business, or other organizations; or professor, teacher, or instructor work at the high school or college level that required use of the foreign language. **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-14 position. Applicants must meet all the qualification requirements described below by the closing date of this announcement.
1. Provides simultaneous and consecutive interpreting services between English, Japanese, and formal and informal settings in support of foreign affairs programs and diplomatic activities.
2. Provides interpreting services in diplomatic settings, serving as an interpreter for the President, the Vice President, the Secretary of State and other U.S. Government officials.
3. Handles complex logistics to perform liaison and coordinating work with officers of the government and private organizations for various engagements such as conferences and negotiation sessions.
4. Plans the assignment of contract interpreters to various projects and executes attendant follow-up reviews and paperwork. Assists with translating or reviewing of translations, depending on the needs of the Office.