Chinese Multidisciplined Language Analyst / Language Analyst Development Program (LADP) - Entry to Experienced Level (MD, HI, GA, UT)

About the role

NSA's Linguists, known as Multidisciplined Language Analysts (MDLAs), play a crucial role in the Intelligence Community by analyzing, transcribing, and translating foreign language materials. They contribute to the SIGINT mission, helping U.S. policymakers and military leaders understand foreign language worlds, cultures, and geopolitical contexts.

Responsibilities

• Offer insights to U.S. policymakers and military leaders through analysis and translation of key information.
• Research and understand other cultures and their operations within the broader geo-political landscape.
• Develop creative solutions to complex analytic problems, such as synthesizing large volumes of data and disparate sources.
• Craft written and oral assessments that provide unique insights unavailable from other intelligence disciplines.
• Work independently and collaboratively with NSA colleagues and other analysts in the Intelligence Community.

Requirements

• Minimum language proficiency of Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) level 2/2 in reading and listening in the target language.
• Relevant experience in professional work in the language, military, teaching, or analysis; or non-language work in intelligence analysis, international relations, security studies, intelligence studies, journalism, law, STEM fields, and other topics relevant to NSA mission.
• Education: High School Diploma/GED, Associate's degree, Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or Doctoral degree.
• Experience: Entry requires a high school diploma/GED plus 4 years of relevant experience, Associate's degree plus 2 years, Bachelor's degree plus 3 years, Master's degree plus 1 year, or Doctoral degree with no experience. Full Performance requires additional years of experience, and Senior requires even more.

Qualifications

• Intellectually curious and a lifelong learner.
• Well-organized and capable of handling multiple assignments.
• A strong written and oral communicator.
• Able to synthesize information to solve complex problems.
• Able to provide timely and accurate customer service.
• Desired coursework and experience in target development, social network analysis, metadata analysis, research methodology, topical/regional studies, quantitative/statistical analysis, data modeling, mining, cybersecurity, computer science/networking, telecommunications, etc.
• Relevant internships, extracurricular activities, and/or foreign study.
• Prior military experience with language analysis cryptologic experience.
• Experienced Level Language Analysts should have experience in language quality control, serving as SME, authoring/releasing reports, mentoring/coaching, ensuring mission technical health, mastering/coaching others on tools, testing ILR 3/3 levels, and broad knowledge of the Intelligence Community.

Skills

• Proficient in Chinese (reading and listening).
• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities.
• Effective written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to synthesize information and solve complex problems.
• Timely and accurate customer service skills.
• Desired coursework and experience in target development, social network analysis, metadata analysis, research methodology, topical/regional studies, quantitative/statistical analysis, data modeling, mining, cybersecurity, computer science/networking, telecommunications, etc.
• Relevant internships, extracurricular activities, and/or foreign study.
• Prior military experience with language analysis cryptologic experience.
• Experienced Level Language Analysts should have experience in language quality control, serving as SME, authoring/releasing reports, mentoring/coaching, ensuring mission technical health, mastering/coaching others on tools, testing ILR 3/3 levels, and broad knowledge of the Intelligence Community.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package.
• Full-time position, Monday-Friday, flexible hours between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
• Two-year DCIPS trial period, one-year for veterans' preference-eligible employees.

Pay

• Salary range: $50,460 - $187,093, varying by location, work level, and relevant experience.
• Training will be provided based on the selectee's needs and experience.

How to apply

Apply soonest, as job postings can close earlier than stated end dates due to changes in requirements. Review and note the minimum qualifications, as only those applicants who meet the required qualifications will be contacted to continue the employment process. Populate the resume tool to showcase relevant work experience and education related to the position and answer any applicable screening questions. Information collected will be used to determine eligibility, and failure to provide accurate information may result in disqualification for this position. A confirmation email will be sent after submission of the first application and also after any future updates to submitted applications. Due to time-sensitive communications regarding applications, ensure your spam filters are configured to accept emails from noreply@intelligencecareers.gov. For job vacancies that include stated testing requirements, also include @uwe.nsa.gov, @nsa.gov, and @pearson.com. U.S. Citizenship is required for all applicants. NSA is an equal opportunity employer and abides by applicable employment laws and regulations. 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. NSA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities during the application and hiring process. The following four narrative questions provide an opportunity for you to highlight your dedication to public service for the hiring manager and agency leadership (or designee(s)). While your responses are not required and will not be scored, we encourage you to thoughtfully address each question. Please provide a response of 200 words or less to each question. You will be asked to certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) such as a large language model (LLM) like ChatGPT or Copilot. (Please attach in application)

Questions

• How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience.

• In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes.

• How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are important to you.