Demo

Sign Language Interpreter - Mid to Experienced Level

US National Security Agency/Central Security...
Fort Meade, MD Other
POSTED ON 1/8/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 1/18/2026

Summary

Sign Language Interpreters are on the front lines of delivering the best customer service, technical support, administrative services, and management services. They facilitate communication in mission and support fields and provide expertise in the field of interpreting.


This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Federal employees - Excepted service

Current federal employees whose agencies have their own hiring rules, pay scales and evaluation criteria.

Duties

The Office of Reasonable Accommodation Services has an immediate opening for Sign Language Interpreters to provide interpreting and transliterating services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) employees.

The incumbent will:
Provide reasonable accommodations by using American Sign Language (ASL) to facilitate communication between D/deaf or Hard of Hearing (DHH) ASL users and hearing spoken-English users. Provide American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and transliterating services; interpret complex subject matter in a variety of classified, highly technical, sensitive and unique situations from polygraphs, high profile platform interpreting and highly technical transliterations to training and informational discussions for various disciplines and personnel to include Engineers, Mathematicians and Computer Scientists. Prepare appropriately for assignments (for example, reading materials ahead of time, researching terminology for technical communications, researching presenter and audience language styles). Interpreters may provide education or consultation to facilitate interactions for employees, associates, and visitors.

- Demonstrate superior working knowledge of the various modalities of American Sign Language (ASL), including, but not limited to, Pidgin Signed English (PSE), and Manually Coded English (MCE). - Demonstrate superior and accurate interpretation when working between English and ASL sources/targets.
  • Exhibit discretion, professionalism, and sensitivity in the workplace.
  • Commute to satellite offices during the work day, as required.
  • Travel CONUS and OCONUS to provide accommodations as required.


Specialized Tasks:
Working Under Physically Demanding Conditions
  • Perform tasks that involve repetitive motions of the fingers, hands, arms, or other body parts
  • Stand, walk, or kneel for long durations of time
  • Perform physical activities indoors under extreme conditions (for example, heat, cold, dust, clean-room environment)
  • Perform physical activities outdoors under all weather conditions
  • Travel domestic and internationally for work purposes

Suggest best practice solutions to problems/issues involving the interpreting profession

Maintain accurate and timely accounting of assignments


Requirements

Conditions of employment

  • All applicants and employees are subject to random drug testing in accordance with Executive Order 12564.

Qualifications

FULL PERFORMANCE
Entry is with a HS diploma/GED plus 9 years of relevant experience, or an Associate's degree plus 7 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor's degree plus 4 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree plus 1 years of relevant experience.

SENIOR
Entry is with a HS diploma/GED plus 12 years of relevant experience, or an Associate's degree plus 10 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor's degree plus 7 years of relevant experience, or an Master's degree plus 4 years of relevant experience, or a Doctorate degree plus 2 years of relevant experience.

Education

The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position.

RID Certification (Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf) is required.

Degree in any field is acceptable.

Relevant experience must be in sign language interpretation with a superior working knowledge of American Sign Language (ASL), Pidgin Signed English (PSE), and Manually Coded English (MCE) in order to simultaneously transliterate/interpret in a variety of settings. Senior level: At least one year of experience interpreting in a Federal Government setting is also required.

Additional information

Pay: Salary offers are based on candidates' education level and years of experience relevant to the position and also take into account information provided by the hiring manager/organization regarding the work level for the position.

Salary Range: $73,591 - $181,216 (Full Performance, Senior) Salary range varies by location, work level, and relevant experience to the position.

On the job training, internal NSA courses, and external training will be made available based on the need and experience of the selectee.

Benefits: NSA offers excellent benefits to include relocation assistance, flexible work schedules, generous leave programs, paid personal fitness time, training and continuing education classes, health and life insurance, Federal Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), and a Federal retirement plan.

Work Schedule: This is a full-time position, Monday - Friday, with basic 8hr/day work requirement between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (flexible).


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.

Benefits

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.

The candidate must have:
  • Valid Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) Certification.
  • Ongoing adherence to the RID Code of Professional Conduct (CPC). The ideal candidate should have:
  • Minimum of 4 years' experience as a RID-certified ASL Interpreter.
  • At least 1 year of experience as an ASL Interpreter in the DOD or Intelligence Community.
  • Ability to interpret and/or transliterate highly specialized terminology and adapt to a wide variety of interpreting settings, incorporating new signs as appropriate to facilitate a cryptologic-associated vocabulary.
  • Familiarity with STEM content for language translation purposes.
  • Demonstrated Accountability, Computer Literacy, Conflict Management, Continual Learning, Decisiveness, Language Processing, Problem-Solving, Safeguarding Information.
  • Superior working knowledge of ASL, Pidgin Signed English (PSE), and Manually Coded English (MCE) in order to simultaneously and/or consecutively interpret and/or transliterate in a variety of settings.
  • Skill indicating nuances and tones associated with verbal communication in order to accurately convey the intended message.
  • Experience with Intranet, Internet, Microsoft Office Suite (Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Access, PowerPoint, and Excel).
  • Valid driver's license (maintain licensure throughout employment).

Required Documents

The National Security Agency (NSA) is part of the DoD Intelligence Community Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). All positions in the NSA are in the Excepted Services under 10 United States Codes (USC) 1601 appointment authority. DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans' Preference to eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are a veteran claiming veterans' preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you may be asked to submit documents verifying your eligibility.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

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.


How to Apply

https://apply.intelligencecareers.gov/job-description/1252274


Agency contact information

NSA POC
Phone
1-844-424-4737
Email
intelcareers@nsa.gov

Next steps

https://apply.intelligencecareers.gov/job-description/1252274


Overview

Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
12/22/2025 to 01/18/2026
Salary
$73,939 to - $185,234 per year
Pay scale & grade
GG 1 - 14
Locations
many vacancies in the following locations:
Fort Meade, MD
San Antonio, TX
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
  • 0132 Intelligence
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Top Secret
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
  • National security
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
1252274
Control number
853012700

Salary : $73,591 - $181,216

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