Duties

About the Graduate Recruit Program

Initial appointments under the CRS Graduate Recruit Program will be made for a period up to 120 days. Initial appointments are expected to convert to permanent, contingent upon the participant's successful performance, completion of all degree requirements, and availability of funding. Those students who return to school to complete their advanced degree program may be eligible for a permanent position once they obtain their degree.

About CRS

CRS works exclusively for the United States Congress, providing policy and legal analysis to committees and Members of both the House and Senate, regardless of party affiliation. As shared staff to congressional committees and Members of Congress, CRS experts assist at every stage of the legislative process-from the early considerations that precede bill drafting, through committee hearings and floor debate, to the oversight of enacted laws and various agency activities.

CRS is well known for analysis that is authoritative, confidential, objective, and nonpartisan. Its highest priority is to ensure that Congress has immediate access to the nation's best thinking on public policy issues of interest to its Members and Committees.

Job Responsibilities

The Law Librarians selected under this announcement will:

• Provide legal reference and research services to CRS legislative attorneys, policy analysts and congressional clients;
• Evaluates adequacy and relevance of information resources and documents, organizes, and presents authoritative and useful information for requests;
• Develops and maintains knowledge of print and electronic information resources, as well as information retrieval techniques in performing reference/research tasks.
• Assists patrons with use of research and reading room facilities;
• Assist with the creation and maintenance of databases, web pages, collaborative tools and other information systems.
• Participate in the development and presentation of legal research instruction programs.

Candidates earning a Master of Library Science (MLS) or equivalent degree and background working in a library, information center, or research organization are encouraged to apply.

The Law Librarian position carries promotion potential to the GS-13 level.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Library of Congress employees are prohibited from using illegal drugs, including marijuana. The Library is part of the Federal Government and abides by federal law, so regardless of individual state or District of Columbia laws, marijuana use is illegal, considered criminal activity, and can affect your employment at the Library. In addition, past or current drug use and activities (e.g., selling or distributing) may deem you ineligible for employment.

Qualifications

Who may be considered

Graduate students and Library of Congress employees who meet all of the following eligibility requirements:

U.S. Citizenship

Current enrollment in or anticipated graduation from an appropriate, accredited advanced degree program. (Library employees who already possess a graduate degree and maintain Library employment status without a break in service may be considered for appointment under the CRS Graduate Recruit Program).

General education requirements for a GS-09 or GS-11 appointment (see table below).

Education

GS-09 Grade Level

GS-11 Grade Level

Two full years of progressively higher level graduate education or master's in library science or equivalent grade degree, e.g., LL.B. or J.D., related to the position, OR

Master's or equivalent graduate degree, OR

One year of specialized experience at the GS-07 grade level in the federal service or at a comparable level of difficulty outside the federal service.

Three full years of progressively higher level graduate education in library science or doctoral degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) related to the position, OR

A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, OR

One year of specialized experience at the GS-09 grade level in the federal service or at a comparable level of difficulty outside the federal service.

Transcripts (official or unofficial) of all completed graduate courses or a self-prepared course list showing grades and the number of credits received must be attached to your online application. Graduate transcripts/course list are mandatory; undergraduate transcripts are optional.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, AND ABILITY REQUIREMENTS:

The critical knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs), gained through education, experience and/or training, needed to successfully perform the duties of the position:

GS-09 Grade Level

GS-11 Grade Level

Ability to Apply Knowledge of Legal Reference Sources in Public Policy Research**

The ability to apply knowledge of legal reference sources in public policy research in all formats such as legal databases, online legislative resources, authoritative websites, government documents, legal documents, and legal research sources, and to provide recommendations for or participate in the development of legal library collections.

Ability to Apply Knowledge of Legal Reference Sources in Public Policy Research**

The ability to apply knowledge of legal reference sources in public policy research in all formats such as legal databases, online legislative resources, authoritative websites, government documents, legal documents, and legal research sources, and to research and advise on the development of legal library collections.

Ability to Provide Reference Services**

The ability to provide reference services by conducting reference interviews, evaluating requirements and recommending search strategies, monitoring developments relevant to subject area(s), and accessing and sharing information about programs and policy developments.

Ability to Provide Reference Services**

To conduct reference interviews; evaluate requirements and recommend search strategies; access and share information about programs and policy developments in response to inquiries; instruct staff on the use of library resources; create and maintain databases, web pages, shared folders, and other information systems; and monitor developments relevant to work activities.

Ability to Conduct Information Research with a Legal or Public Policy Focus**

The ability to conduct, and assist others in conducting research using print/electronic resources, including international, federal, and/or state materials; designing and executing data searches; adapting research techniques from other disciplines; and identifying alternative information resources. This also includes the ability to identify, compile and organize data, and identify and synthesize information.

Ability to Conduct Information Research with a Legal or Public Policy Focus**

To conduct, and assist others in conducting research using print/electronic resources, including international, federal, and/or state materials; to identify and synthesize current and authoritative data, statistics and information; to design and execute data searches and suggest search strategies to others; and either to evaluate major publications, electronic resources, and trends in a public policy issue, or to develop research guides and/or finding aids.

Additional information

The Congressional Research Service, within the Library of Congress, is part of the Legislative Branch of the federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service.

The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustment for the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.

The appointment tenure for this position is full-time temporary with the expectation of subsequent conversion to permanent; flexible work schedules may be available.

The selectee will work a 40-hour week and may be required to provide evening and Saturday reference desk coverage, including Monday through Thursday, 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Saturday work is required only when Congress is in session). The weekday shifts may be staffed via telework. The remaining work hours (non-evening/Saturday) will be determined based on workload and coverage needs, and will contribute to the total of 40 hours per week.

The position description number for this vacancy announcement is 060372/GS-09 and 060373/GS-11.

Relocation expenses are not authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement.

The Library reserves the right to fill a lesser or greater number of vacancies indicated during the life of this vacancy announcement.

Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation.

Those Graduate Recruit Program participants who are converted from a temporary appointment to a permanent position, and who have not yet completed the one-year probationary period, which is required of all new Library employees, will be required to do so. Time served in the temporary appointment will not count toward completion of this one-year probationary period requirement.

CRS staff not placed in a permanent position under the Graduate Recruit Program will return to the position occupied before entering the program or a position of similar grade and duties without loss of federal service tenure or seniority. Before applying, other Library of Congress employees should consult their supervisor or service unit management regarding the status of their position should they be selected for the program but not placed in a permanent position.

The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer. Women, men, minorities, and persons with disabilities who meet eligibility requirements are strongly encouraged to apply.

This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify Carmen Reese at CRSGraduateRecruit@crs.loc.gov or (202) 707-6275. The decision on granting reasonable accommodations will be made on a case-by-case basis.