Up Close and Personal with Language Specialist Leticia Tellez-Chevoor

Considered a Career as an FBI Language Specialist?
Here’s What It’s Like: Up Close and Personal

07/01/05

On any given day, Leticia Telléz-Chevoor may be in the middle of a crackdown on organized crime, a meeting of international leaders, or a raid with FBI special agents. Leticia is a language specialist and analyst, a key link in our mission of gathering and sharing intelligence at home and abroad. Leticia spoke to us about her job as an analyst and interpreter in Los Angeles over the past five years.

Q. Can you describe an interesting case you’ve worked on?
Leticia: One case that I’m particularly proud of involved taking down an Asian organized crime outfit based in Southern California that was heavily involved in weapons trafficking, prostitution, gambling, and drugs. It turns out the group was working with a Mexican drug cartel. As a Spanish language specialist assigned to an organized crime squad, I was able to help locate key players, analyze their roles, and pass information to agents that led to the arrests of 25 suspects and helped shut down the long-running drug operation.

Q. What’s a typical workday like?
Leticia: Mostly it involves translating all kinds of documents to help agents pursue their investigations. We might also accompany agents into the field or on raids to help them interview suspects and witnesses. A day might also include traveling to another part of the country or world. It sounds like a cliché, but there’s hardly a dull moment.

Q. What do you like most about the job?
Leticia: The best thing is the variety of work assignments. Last June I was in Washington, D.C., interpreting for 45 high-ranking Latin American law enforcement officials. My work is a constant learning experience and a challenge. I also enjoy the personal interaction with the people I deal with, whether they are our own agents or officials visiting from other countries.

Q. Do you have any advice for prospective FBI recruits?
Leticia: Sure. The work can be very interesting but recruits should realize they’re not entering a “9-to-5” world. Criminals don’t keep to time schedules, so you may have to work varied hours and occasional weekends and holidays. You have to be flexible. And being people-oriented and having an understanding of cultural nuances are definitely a plus!

Why wait? Apply at www.fbijobs.gov!

Link: More stories on language specialists and contract linguists