Pashto Linguist

About the role

Leidos is seeking highly qualified and experienced Pashto Linguists to support our National Security Programs. This role requires advanced linguistic capabilities and cultural knowledge to support a wide range of mission-critical activities.

Responsibilities

• Translation: Accurately translate written materials in both electronic and hard-copy formats, conveying factual content, nuanced meaning, implied context, geopolitical, regional, ethnic, and cultural references, and using terminology consistent with subject matter norms in the target language.
• Interpretation: Provide accurate consecutive interpretation; occasional simultaneous interpretation may be required. Demonstrate understanding of one or more Korean regional dialects.
• Transcription: Review audio and internet-based materials and transcribe with high levels of accuracy and fidelity to the original content. Produce clear, well-written English-language reports.
• Gisting and Summarization: Identify and summarize key facts and abstract concepts accurately. Prioritize and extract critical information from large datasets. Use reference materials effectively to support quality output.

Qualifications

• Language Requirements: Pashto (fluent) and English (fluent)
• Education: Bachelor’s degree with 4–8 years of prior relevant experience or Master’s degree with 2–6 years of prior relevant experience (additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree)
• Experience: Minimum of 4 years of relevant professional language-related experience in translation, interpretation, and transcription. Must successfully complete a Leidos-administered language proficiency test or equivalent at the Primary level or higher within six months of hire.
• Security Clearance: TS/SCI clearance with polygraph is required to begin work.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience supporting contingency operations as a deployed linguist
• Candidates must pass language proficiency testing
• Familiarity with the U.S. Intelligence Community, military operations, or law enforcement environments
• Additional language proficiency is strongly preferred
• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written formats in English and the target language

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and internet research tools
• Experience with HLT (Human Language Technology), CAT (Computer-Assisted Translation) tools, and Language Learning Models (LLM) is highly desired

Additional Information

Occasional travel OCONUS may be required.