Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Collections Access, Preservation and Analysis Section, Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Special Collections Directorate, Library Services.

The position description number for this position is 12470.

The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area.

The incumbent of this position will work a flextime work schedule.

This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.

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Responsibilities

Analyzes and arranges bodies of records that may be somewhat disorganized. Studies the origin and nature of the materials and arranges them within appropriate organizational categories in accordance with standard archival theory and techniques and with procedures developed within the American Folklife Center. In cases where the original filing scheme is found to be impractical or undesirable for purposes of providing reference service, devises and recommends an arrangement that will indicate the origins of the records and provide for their most efficient and economical maintenance and use. Documents may be arranged in alphabetical, chronological, numeric, subject, or other order.

Independently establishes the necessary bibliographic controls over collected materials through the creation of inventories, guides, registers, lists, catalogs, automated databases, and other finding aids. The preparation of finding aids involves conducting background research in the records and other source materials and preparing biographical histories of the creators of the records; analyzing the records to determine the limits of series within the record group; preparing analytical descriptive statements regarding the subject matter content, location, volume and chronological span of the individual series; and supplying cross references to related sources of information. Information is obtained, analyzed, and organized using standard rules, guidelines, and reference tools and established techniques and practices. Analyses and organizes standard subject data in order to determine its relationship or relevance to the project-at-hand. Performs original cataloging on a variety of levels in machine-readable cataloging format where the bibliographic characteristics of the material are relatively easy to determine and cataloging decisions are made within established standards. Determines subject content and assigns to the catalog entry one of several subject headings. Develops and maintains expertise in using relevant technology in order to prepare and disseminate electronic finding aids, databases, and other online access aids.

Provides reference and research services of limited technical complexity to researchers where user needs are determined easily from interviews or written, telephone, or electronic media inquiries. Relevant results can be readily obtained through standard search strategies. Develops knowledge of collections for use in performing research tasks. Conducts research and analysis in topics related to a specialized field and provides information in response to reference requests. Assists researchers in finding significant records relating to the subject under consideration, and advises them of relevant records in the Library's collections. Assignments are non-repetitive, require search among several record groups to locate the information, and require evaluation of the information selected for its authenticity, completeness, significance, and relevance to the subject.

Participates in the development of conservation and preservation policies and contributes to the efforts of project staff and other Library personnel in the implementation of such policies. Coordinates procedures for routing materials for preservation treatment and for preparation of materials to be added to the collections. Recommends technical specifications for supplies, materials, and equipment used in labeling, marking, housing, or reformatting. Monitors the appropriate transportation of project collections, internally and externally, to reduce excessive materials handling and ergonomic impact, ensure security, and protect library materials from unnecessary damage.

Maintains personal contacts and cooperative work relationships in order to provide or exchange information. Presents information to groups and individuals with a similar understanding of the subject. Communicates with donors, creators, producers, and members of the participating public regarding the use and distribution of unpublished archival materials, and secures information necessary to process and catalog the collections. Shares resources and information with colleagues and constituents.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
11

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

No additional requirements to those listed above.

Qualifications

Applicants must have had progressively responsible experience and training sufficient in scope and quality to furnish them with an acceptable level of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position without more than normal supervision.

Knowledge of 20th and 21st century U.S. military history research sources used for processing and describing archival materials.

Knowledge of the principles, concepts, and techniques of archival work, including analysis, organization, and description of archival multi-formatted material.**

Ability to perform preservation duties.**

Knowledge of reference and research services.

Ability to build and maintain professional relationships and provide liaison services.

Knowledge of digital curation and descriptive tools, information technologies and integrated library systems to support archival functions.**

Ability to adapt in a fast paced and demanding work environment.

Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.

Education

Additional information

Although it is the Library's policy to afford the maximum pay benefit to employees when setting rates of pay, a new appointee who has had no previous Federal service will generally be paid the minimum step of the grade.

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

Applicants must submit a complete application package that is received by the closing date of this announcement.

This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please email ADA@loc.gov. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants with disabilities may be considered under special hiring procedures and must submit an appropriate certificate of eligibility when applying for this position. The proof or disability/certification may be issued by the State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of the applicant's college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The letter must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and must be dated within three years of the date of the application. Certification from health care providers are not accepted. For more information contact the Library's Office of EEO/Diversity Programs at 202-707-6024 or email spp@loc.gov. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM.

The Library of Congress is the national library of the United States and is part of the Legislative Branch of the Federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service.

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

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

Initial appointments, permanent or indefinite, to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period.

The Library of Congress may offer repayment for all or part of federally insured student loans. However, not all service units within the Library of Congress participates in the repayment of federally insured student loans. Therefore, determination to repay a federally insured student loan is subject to approval by the appropriate service unit.

A "Not to Exceed" (NTE) status is used to identify an appointment with a specific ending date. However, the Library has the right to separate a NTE employee at any time due to either performance issues or budget constraints.

Are you a veteran? Please indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming in your application materials and/or applicant profile and provide the appropriate supporting documentation to validate your claim. Those applying for 5-point preference must submit Member Copy 4 of your DD 214. Those applying for 10-point preference must fill out an SF-15 (click here for the form) and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form. If required supporting documentation is not attached, Veterans' Preference will not be considered in the application process.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

The Library of Congress evaluates applicants through an applicant questionnaire and a structured interview. Applicants may also be screened for some jobs through licensing, certification, and/or education requirements, a narrative/application review, and/or a preliminary telephone interview. The knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that are marked with a double asterisk (**) in the vacancy announcement and the applicant questionnaire are considered the most critical for a position. To be considered for final selection, applicants must demonstrate fully acceptable experience in these designated KSAs in the narrative/application review, preliminary telephone and/or full structured interview. The various assessment tools listed above are designed to verify or explore applicants' experience, knowledge, and training directly related to the job in order to identify the best qualified applicants for selection.

For more information regarding eligibility requirements, please see the Library of Congress Merit Selection Plan, Section X.D, at: http://www.loc.gov/hr/employment/msp010909.pdf .

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

Current or former federal employees must submit their most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent).

Applicants with disabilities may be considered under special hiring procedures and must submit an appropriate certificate of eligibility when applying for this position. The proof or disability/certification may be issued by the State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of the applicant's college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The letter must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and must be dated within three years of the date of the application. The program does not accept certification from health care providers. For more information contact the Library's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity Programs at 202-707-6024 or email spp@loc.gov. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.