INTERPRETER (SIGN LANGUAGE)

📍 Indianapolis, Indiana · 🏛 Defense Finance and Accounting Service · 💰 $75,374–$97,991 per year · 🎓 GS 11 · 🧭 Language Specialist (1040) · ⏳ Closes Nov 30, 2026 · 16 days left · 🗓 Posted Nov 13, 2026
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About this job

Applications will be accepted from all qualified candidates. This is an Excepted Service position and does not confer eligibility to be converted to the Competitive Service. If you are a current Federal Career/Career-Conditional employee, you will be placed on an Excepted service appointment. Position is located in Indianapolis, IN

Duties

Serves as a Sign Language Interpreter within the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) Indianapolis Center (IN). Responsible for providing a full range of interpreting/transliterating services for DFAS-IN deaf/hard of hearing (HoH) employees.

Serves as a Sign Language Interpreter within the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) Indianapolis Center (IN). Responsible for providing a full range of interpreting/transliterating services for DFAS-IN deaf/hard of hearing (HoH) employees.

Provides training to supervisors and staff on Deaf Culture and interpreter services. Looks for process improvement opportunities to better serve customers.

May assist in other general administrative duties within the Site Support Office during downtime.

Interprets/transliterates any conversation, meeting, training session, interview, or other requested event. Also, may provide oral interpreting to employees who do not use sign language.

Utilizes skill in a variety of signed languages (i.e., American Sign Language (ASL), Contact Sign, and Conceptually Accurate Signed English, CASE).

Qualifications

Individual Occupational Requirements: Education Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- the appropriate foreign language from an English-speaking college or university, English from a college or university in the other country or translating or interpreting where English and the foreign language were prerequisites. Or Experience in translating, interpreting, or other work requiring the use of English and the other language; or a combination of work (that required English and the other language) and training at the Defense Language Institute, Foreign Service Institute, or comparable training. The following are examples of work in the required language that may have provided the required abilities: translator; interpreter; librarian or information specialist required to make abstracts, screen, index, and scan material; intelligence; writer or editor; international organizational work, such as the Peace Corps, World Bank, United Nations, business, or other organizations; or professor, teacher, or instructor work at the high school or college level that required use of the foreign language. Qualifying Experience: To qualify at the GS-11, your resume must describe at least one year of experience that demonstrates the competencies necessary for immediate success in the position. Experience refers to any paid or unpaid experience, including volunteer work and Military service, that would be considered equivalent to work normally performed at the next lower grade level in the federal service. GS-11 specialized experience is defined as: using the following signed languages to interpret/transliterate conversations, meetings, training sessions, interviews or other less formal meetings: American Sign Language (ASL), Contact Sign and Conceptually Accurate Signed English (CASE); provides oral interpreting services to deaf individuals who do not use sign language. Translate a variety of legal or fiscal material requiring specialized terminology and performs advanced research or confers with authors of the subject matter to become familiar with topics to be discussed. Testing Provisions Agencies may test applicants for foreign language proficiency on a pass/fail basis prior to appointment. Agencies must document the connection between the level of proficiency required and the duties of the position to be filled. Test material for applicants for the same position or grade level should be equally difficult, and should be selected from typical work-related documents. The following are examples of work in the required language that may have provided the required abilities: translator; interpreter; librarian or information specialist required to make abstracts, screen, index, and scan material; intelligence; writer or editor; international organizational work, such as the Peace Corps, World Bank, United Nations, business, or other organizations; or professor, teacher, or instructor work at the high school or college level that required use of the foreign language. Candidates must describe how they meet the qualifying experience and/or selective placement factor(s) within the body of their resume. All qualifications must be met within 30 days after the closing date of this announcement.

Education

GS-11 Substitution of Education for Experience: Three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree may be substituted to meet the specialized experience requirement. Equivalent combinations of successfully completed higher-level graduate level education and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. If you are using education to substitute for the specialized experience, you must submit transcripts at the time you apply. To be creditable, education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (http://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html).

Evaluations

IMPORTANT NOTE - YOU MUST FOLLOW ALL APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY. ERRORS OR OMISSIONS MAY AFFECT YOUR RATING. You will be evaluated on how well your qualifications, as demonstrated in your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents) and your responses on the application, meet the requirements listed in this vacancy announcement. Criminal History Inquiries - If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency @ [email protected] (this call center group box will be the intake for complaints and will forward to appropriate POCs).

How to apply

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package. See required documents below.Click 'Apply Online' to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account.1. Follow the prompts to complete the assessment questionnaire and upload required documents.2. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application.3. Check application status by logging into your USAJOBS account, clicking Application Status, then More Information for this position. Return to an incomplete application by logging into your USAJOBS account and clicking Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments https://appsupport-usastaffing.opm.gov/hc/en-us/sections/45063131363475-Reasonable-Accommodation Information

Applications are handled only on the official announcement. This page is a readable copy of the public announcement data — the official version controls if anything differs.

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Required documents

You must provide a complete Application Package which includes: 1. Resume: A two-page maximum resume is required. Applicant guidance on the two-page resume requirement may be found at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/merit-hiring-plan-resources/applicant-guidance-on-the-two-page-resume-limit/ or at http://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/page-limit 2. Military Spouse Preference: Spousal Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders or travel orders, marriage certificate/license and the Self-Certification form are required to claim Military Spouse Preference. 3. Other Supporting Documents. The following supporting documents are ONLY required if applicable to your personal qualifications or status. They must be received by the closing date of the announcement. 1. Transcripts or Proof of Education: You must submit documentation if you are substituting education for experience. For additional information on acceptable documents or to see if you must submit documentation click here Transcripts and Certifications. You must also document your education and/or certifications in your resume. 2. SF-50: Current and former federal employees, including current and former DFAS employees, must submit their SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) reflecting their highest grade held on a permanent basis for at least 52 weeks, tenure, and appointment type. Failure to provide this document may result in disqualification. 3. Veterans Documentation: Click to review these authorities and documents verifying eligibility for a VEOA, VRA and/or 30% or more disabled veterans hiring authorities. 4. Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians PPP Eligible: MR and NG technicians PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist. 5. Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians Receiving Disability Retirement PPP Eligible: MR and NG technicians receiving disability retirement PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist. 6. Retained Grade PPP Eligible: Retained Grade PPP applicants, must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Retained Grade preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist. 7. Other Special Hiring Authorities: Click here to review these authorities and the documentation you are required to submit. 8. Cover Letter: You may submit a cover letter which will be forwarded to the selecting official with your resume. Your cover letter will not be used to verify your qualifications or eligibility. 9. ICTAP Eligibles: A copy of the RIF separation notice and SF-50 if available. WARNING: Failure to submit a complete application package including any required documentation by 11:59 PM (EST)11/30/2026, or at the time of application for announcements with an extended closing date, may result in an ineligible rating and loss of consideration. To verify that your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status and More Information. The Details page will display the status of your application. It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered, uploaded, or faxed is received, legible and accurate. HR will not modify answers submitted by an applicant.

What to expect next

The resume you submit will be used to assess your qualifications for the job and to identify the best-qualified applicants to be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interviews. We will notify you of the outcome after each of these steps is completed. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.

Other information

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 makes certain reimbursements/payments taxable. For information on these changes and the Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA), for which some appointees are eligible, click here. We may use this announcement to make a temporary promotion. For some positions, the temporary promotion may be made permanent without further competition. As a condition of employment, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we'll evaluate whether your continued employment advances the public interest. The evaluation will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment advances agency or governmental goals; and whether your continued employment advances the efficiency of the Federal service. At the end of the probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification that your continued employment advances the public interest.? We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 120 days of the closing date. This position is Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act. Travel requirement is Seldom (1-24%). This position is not covered by a bargaining unit. Retired Civil Service Employee: Employment of retired Federal employees receiving an annuity is subject to the requirements of the Department of Defense (DoD) policy guidance. (See DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 300, here) Pay for first time hires to the Federal Government will typically be set at step 1 salary range for their respective grade level. The Security Designation will vary and dependent upon position and may require a secret clearance or higher. Employment in this position requires a background investigation which may delay starting date. If you are selected and cannot obtain a favorable security determination within a reasonable period of time due to disclosed/undisclosed background issues, the employment offer may be withdrawn. Individuals selected are required to obtain/maintain a favorable security determination to occupy a sensitive position within the agency as a condition of employment. Failure to maintain eligibility to occupy a sensitive position may result in termination. For more information see the security section of Understanding Vacancy Announcements. Criminal History Inquiries- For some positions, criminal history inquiries may not take place before you receive a conditional job offer. Please see Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019 (dfas.mil) for more information on The Fair Chance to Compete Act, exceptions, and DFAS contact information. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Priority Consideration: If you are a displaced Federal Civil Service employee and attain a rating of at least 90, you may be entitled to receive special priority selection under the ICTAP. For more information on ICTAP, click here ICTAP Guidance. NOTE: If you have never worked for the Federal Government, you are NOT ICTAP eligible.

Frequently asked questions

How much does this INTERPRETER (SIGN LANGUAGE) job pay?

The announcement lists a salary of $75,374–$97,991 per year (GS 11).

When is the last day to apply?

Applications close on Nov 30, 2026 — 16 days from today.

Where is this job located?

This position is located in Indianapolis, Indiana with the Defense Finance and Accounting Service.

How do I apply?

Applications are submitted through the official announcement on USAJobs. Use the Apply button on this page to go to the official posting — this site never takes applications itself.

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Data: USAJobs (U.S. Office of Personnel Management), retrieved 2026-11-14 · Announcement DFAS-13104004-27 · Official announcement. FederalJobs is unofficial and is not affiliated with OPM or the agency.
INTERPRETER (SIGN LANGUAGE)
Nov 30, 2026 deadlineApply