Deadline: September 30, 2026
As a Directorate of Operations Language Officer at CIA, you will perform a critical and dynamic function within the Directorate of Operations by using your advanced foreign Language skills combined with cultural experience and expertise to produce high-quality, accurate, and timely translations, interpretations, and other Language-related support to Directorate of Operations clandestine operations. Language Officers are key to the success of many foreign intelligence, counterintelligence, cyber, and covert action operations and have native or near-native level fluency in one or more of the following Languages:
- Japanese
- Persian/Farsi
- Khmer
- Arabic
- Chinese Mandarin
- Russian
- Spanish
Language Officers generally are assigned to the Washington, DC area, but have opportunities for overseas travel. Opportunities to serve multi-year postings overseas are very limited and these positions are highly competitive.
You will receive specialized training to acquire an understanding of clandestine operations tradecraft and to maintain and/or advance your foreign Language skills. Classroom training, practical exercises, and on-the-job experience are all part of the training process.
Foreign language ability is highly applicable in all DO career tracks – Case Officer, Collection Management Officer, Staff Operations Officer, Targeting Officer – and prospective Language Officer candidates interested in DO employment would be best served by submitting interest in multiple career tracks. If the candidate is not considered for the Language Officer role, they may still be considered for this alternate career track of interest to them.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
Interested candidates should be passionate about the ideals of our American republic, committed to upholding the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution, and committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government. Hiring decisions will not be based on race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.
- Personal integrity
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written)
- Action- and results-oriented
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team and independently
- Flexibility, adaptability, and commitment to the mission of the CIA and the Directorate of Operations
- Ability to meet the minimum requirements for joining CIA, including U.S. citizenship and a background investigation
Desired Qualifications
- Strong command of the foreign language(s) and English in speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
- Professional work experience as a translator and/or interpreter.
- Cultural and area knowledge of where the foreign language(s) is/are spoken.
- Strong critical/analytical thinking and research skills.
Education
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution (applicants within one year of earning a four-year degree will be considered); there is no preferred major or program of study (degrees from foreign academic institutions are accepted, but you are responsible for obtaining and providing CIA with a credential evaluation from an accredited firm confirming that the foreign degree is the equivalent of a BA/BS and/or MA/MS degree conferred by a U.S. college or university)
- At least a 3.0 GPA on a 4-point scale is preferred