FBI Top Stories: Looking for Linguists

FBI Linguist Job Fair in Salt Lake City a Huge Success

More than 900 people turned out for the FBI’s linguist job fair held this week in Salt Lake City, Utah. Anyone proficient in a second language other than English was invited to attend the event which was organized by the FBI Salt Lake City Division’s language program. Candidates came from across Utah and drove in from other states to learn what it takes to become a linguist at the FBI. Those who could not attend e-mailed their resumes to the FBI Salt Lake City Division.

In all, more than 30 languages were represented. The possibility of working for the FBI, earning a wage of $29 to $41 an hour, and the ability to work a flexible schedule were just a few of the reasons for the widespread interest in the event. Attendees spent approximately one hour speaking to FBI supervisors and linguists about the position openings and the application process. FBI language program supervisors expect to contact qualified candidates by mid-September 2012 to continue the application process.

The FBI Salt Lake City Division attributes the success of the linguist job fair to the willingness of its community partners to help spread the word about the contract linguist position openings at the FBI. Law enforcement agencies, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and media all played a significant role in assisting the FBI to publicize and promote the event.