Duties

Summary

This position is located in the History and Genealogy Section, Researcher and Reference Services Division, General and International Collections, Library Services.

The position description number for this position is 010703.

This position requires some walking, standing, bending, and carrying of light items.

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

This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.

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Responsibilities

The Researcher and Reference Services Division plans and administers general reference and research services at the Local History and Genealogy reference desk, and in the Main Reading Room and the Microform and Electronic Resources Center by providing assistance to researchers seeking solutions to research problems. Constituents include Congress, other government agencies, scholars and the general public. To facilitate such research, the Division's specialists recommend the acquisition of materials of research value in a variety of formats (e.g., print, electronic, microform, etc.) in the areas of history, genealogy, and the humanities and social sciences.

The Division maintains reference collections for its reading room and bears the responsibility for the development, bibliographic control, processing, and general custody of these collections.

For visiting scholars the Division offers a program of special services and facilities, including colloquia and intellectual exchange. The work of the Division affects the development of Library programs and the policies, standards, and principles used by librarians in government, public and academic libraries throughout the United States. The incumbent exercises initiative, judgment, tact, and flexibility in meeting the reference requirements of constituents, is familiar with the rapidly growing and complex body of library and information science, and maintains a working knowledge of the operation and resources of the Division and the Library as a whole.

Provides reference services in person, by telephone, electronic media, and formal correspondence; the bibliographic source materials are of limited technical complexity and are found within the Library's collection. Serves as both a generalist and subject specialist providing the Library's constituents basic information and reference research services. Conducts a thorough reference interview, analyzes questions and requirements, and suggests search strategies. Is knowledgeable of the Library's resources from the general, special and/or reference collections in all formats. Acquires knowledge of special catalogs and collections, areas of specialization of Library staff members (language as well as subject), and printed, non-print, and electronic reference sources. Is knowledgeable about a wide of variety of sources including those of other libraries and organizations. Directs users to the proper specialists, resources, services, divisions, or reading rooms within the Library, or to other agencies or institutions. Utilizes knowledge of the general resources of other libraries and organizations.

Provides reference and research services of limited technical complexity. Is assigned a subject specialty and is knowledgeable of the basic resources in assigned subject area. Develops knowledge of historical and current trends in subject area. With supervisor, identifies and completes training opportunities in subject area. Gains knowledge of Division resources in subject area in all formats. Writes, compiles, or revises research materials. Monitors and reports on trends in scholarship and collection use.

Uses standard methods, techniques, concepts, and principles to perform assignments. Participates in developing the reference collections and the general collections as assigned, including materials in all formats (print, microform and electronic). Selects and recommends appropriate titles and drafts requests for major purchases. Recommends replacement or claiming of missing materials, identifies the need for additional copies of titles in heavy demand and monitors approval plans as required. Surveys the Library's holdings to familiarize him/her with the Library's collections.

Activates and controls standardized computer system and peripheral equipment operations. Provides guidance and access to information resources, both inside and outside the Library, through databases, telecommunication networks, and cooperative arrangements. Troubleshoots and resolves problems encountered during searches. Trains and assists the public in the use of the OPAC, electronic databases, and reference resources.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
13

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 Genealogy and U.S. Local History.**

Ability to provide reference and research services related to Genealogy and U.S. Local History.**

Knowledge of information technology including integrated library systems and electronic resources.**

Knowledge of the principles, concepts, and techniques of library science.

Ability to communicate in writing.

Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.

Education

All librarians must meet the requirements for professional education in library science or possess equivalent experience and education.

A. Completion of 1 full academic year of graduate study in library science in an accredited college or university, in addition to completion of all work required for a bachelor's degree;

or

B. A total of at least 5 years of a combination of college-level education, training, and experience. To qualify on this basis, the applicant must establish conclusively that the education, training, and experience provided demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the theories, principles, and techniques of professional librarianship; a knowledge of literature resources; and the knowledge and abilities essential for providing effective library and information services.

Additional Education and Experience Requirements for Positions at GS-09:

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

You MUST submit a legible copy of your college/university transcripts to your online application. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at the time of application. Official transcripts will be required if selected. Failure to submit the required legible documentation at the time of application will result in disqualification of your application.

Foreign Education - Education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed equivalent to conventional/accredited U.S. education programs to be acceptable for Federal employment. If your college/university is outside the U.S., your transcripts must be accompanied by a report from a credential evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE). Failure to submit a foreign education evaluation report will result in disqualification of your application.

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 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 certificate of disability must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and may be issued by a State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, a Disability Services or Career Services Office of the applicant's college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The date of certification must be within three (3) years of the vacancy closing date and must be submitted with your application. 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.

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.

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.

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 .

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.

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).

Disabled applicants claiming Selective Placement eligibility must submit proof of disability and a certification of job readiness. If Selective Placement is applicable to you, you will not be considered without submitting this documentation.

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.