Job Title: Diplomatic Interpreter / Language Specialist
Agency: Department of State, Office of Language Services
Location: Washington, DC
Type: Full‑time, permanent
Salary: $120,579 to $156,755 per year (GS‑13)
Requirements:
U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain Top Secret security clearance
Expertise in translation and interpreting between English and another major language (e.g. French or Japanese)
Experience in high‑stakes interpretation (meetings at senior government level) and contract interpreter oversight
Responsibilities:
Perform simultaneous and consecutive interpretation during diplomatic meetings
Manage language services contracts and evaluation of interpreter performance
Provide translation and proofreading for documents related to international/protocol work
If you’re serious, start compiling your SF-86 details now - every foreign trip, address, and contact - because the TS clearance can stretch 9-12 months, and that paperwork is what stalls people. I sat the LS qualifying test last spring; it was heavy on policy (sanctions, climate, security) with back-to-back consecutive and sight into English, so practicing with actual press briefings helped a lot.
Great role if you’re comfortable with the TS wait and DC cost of living — GS-13 is decent but not cushy after rent. Start pulling SF-86 data now (foreign trips, contacts, finances) and be ready for tough simultaneous/consecutive testing at LS. Expect odd hours when delegations are in town and possible travel limits due to clearance.
Did a short contractor stint with State LS; the sim/consec exam felt like speed chess, so shadowing 10‑min newscasts daily and drilling numbers/dates saved me, and a spreadsheet of every address/trip made the SF‑86 way less painful. You cool with last‑minute calls and odd hours, @david5510?