Bring your language skills to a job that makes a difference every day. As a linguist at ASIO you will be part of operational work that protects Australia and Australians from threats to their security.
Working under ASIO’s legislated special powers, you will use your language skills to contribute to intelligence assessments. Your day-to-day could include reviewing warranted intercept material in the office, supporting operational activity on the ground, or attending interviews with intelligence officers as an interpreter.
Using sound judgement and strong assessment skills, you will identify valuable information and communicate it effectively. You will develop unique perspectives which will inform decision-making.
Your work will be a mix of autonomous and team efforts, working closely with others across ASIO. You will have access to new technologies to support your work.
We are seeking applicants with intermediate to advanced language proficiency. You will be supported with learning and development opportunities depending on your skill levels and language proficiency. This could include uplifting your language skill level, language capability maintenance, or cross-training in another language.
We are seeking applications from candidates with proficiency in the following languages:
- Arabic
- Chinese (Mandarin)
- Farsi/Dari
- Hindi
- Russian
- Urdu.
Please note: foreign language skills will be subject to initial and subsequent periodic testing. Positions are available on a part-time or full-time basis.
What you will bring
We are seeking applicants who have the following attributes:
- Curiosity
- Adaptability
- Resilience
- Problem solving
- An ongoing commitment to learning
- An interest in new technology and how it can be integrated into ways of working
- Personal qualities that exemplify ASIO’s values and expected behaviours.
Qualifications
While formal qualifications are valued, it is not a requirement, however applicants must be able to demonstrate their language proficiency at one of the following levels:
- Intermediate skills (either heritage, native or learned) and a commitment to further develop advanced level proficiency.
- Advanced skills (either heritage, native or learned) in one or more of the languages listed in the opportunity section above.
Successful candidates will be offered a role at a classification commensurate with their level of foreign language proficiency and demonstrated skills and attributes.
ASIO has a number of requirements for all prospective employees. We recommend making sure you meet the requirements before you apply.
To find out when recruitment is open, visit our current vacancies page or follow us on Instagram.
You can also find out more about working at ASIO through stories of real ASIO officers.