Job Title: Pasho-Dari Linguist
Status: Full-time (7 Days a week, 8+ hour work days)
Salary Range: Salary compensation; rate based on experience and category selection
Duty Location: Afghanistan

Citizenship: US Citizenship and ability to obtain a security clearance is required

Position Summary/Candidate Qualifications

Catalyst Operations & Analytics is currently seeking individuals to serve as linguists/simultaneous translators in Pashto, Dari, and English.  Applicants are required to speak, read, and write fluently in all three languages.  These linguist positions provide direct support to US operations and military personnel in and around Afghanistan.  Linguists support the military unit to which they are assigned seven (7) days a week, with a minimum workday of eight (8) hours.  Each workday may be extended to 12 hours or longer depending on mission requirements.  Linguists must be willing and able to work and live in harsh, austere, and stressful conditions as the mission requires.

Required Qualifications

Qualified candidates must be able to speak, read, and write in the Pashto, Dari, and English languages to support simultaneous translation activities.  The following are the required responsibilities of all linguists on this program:

• Provide general linguistic support for military operations; provide interpretation during interviews, meetings, and conferences

• Conduct consecutive, accurate translation and interpretation of on-going conversations and/or events

• Ability to conduct oneself in accordance with local Afghanistan culture and customs

• Deal inconspicuously with the local populace

• Ability to serve in a combat zone, if necessary

• Interpret and translate written and spoken communications

• Transcribe and analyze communications and documents 

• Provide input to military reports

 

Position Categories & Language Proficiency Requirements

Category I – US Citizens that are eligible for US security clearance

Category II – US Citizens that hold a current SECRET security clearance

Category III – US Citizens that hold a current TOP SECRET/SCI security clearance

 

All candidates are subject to language testing to determine proficiency (ILR Level 3 proficiency required in all languages and modalities) at time of application.  All hires are subject to annual retesting.

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Other Requirements

• Successfully pass the Department of Defense medical screening requirements

• Valid US passport (must have at least 15 months of validity left)

• Accept assignments in any location within Afghanistan

 

Compensation

Salary is based on position category determinations and the candidate establishing and maintaining language proficiency through initial testing and annual recertification.  Under this program, housing and meals are provided at no cost.  Individuals hired on as employees are eligible for Catalyst’s suite of benefits, including health, retirement, and travel accident insurance plans, as well as paid leave.

 

Green Card Holders

While Green Card Holders (GCH) are NOT being hired under this program, if an applicant is a current GCH and has been assigned an US Citizenship Oath Ceremony date by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (proof required), the applicant may be allowed to start the application process for the program at the discretion of Catalyst Operations & Analytics and the US government. 

Application Instructions

Applicants who meet the qualifications for this position should their resume and cover to letter to information@catalystops.com.

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COA provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, COA complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.