Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Book Conservation Section, Conservation Division, Preservation Directorate, Library Services.

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Responsibilities

This position is located in the Preservation Directorate of Library Services and can be used in Collections Conservation Section of the Binding and Collections Care Division and in any section of the Conservation Division. To assure long-term access to collections, the Library regularly labels, binds, repairs and provides custom protective enclosures for new acquisitions, at-risk materials, and fragile and damaged media in all formats. The incumbent works under the direction of the Head, Book Conservation Section, performs repairs, and constructs housing and protective enclosures for the Library's collections.

Serves as a point of contact for most technical aspects involved in performing the preservation and maintenance of collection materials. Uses an automated box-making system to construct custom-fitted enclosures for Library materials from the permanent research collections for which binding, repair, or other physical treatments are inappropriate. Houses materials by hand using protective enclosures, such as folders, envelopes, sleeves, and polyester encapsulations.

Determines the appropriate boxes, archival boards, and other materials needed to construct housings for the collections.

Performs all levels of repair, such as tipping-in or hinging-in of loose leaves and replacement pages; dry cleaning; tightening hinges; repairing paper using heat-set tissue or Japanese paper; repairing spines; re-casing; and providing new covers.

When needed, conducts advanced treatments to collection materials, such as text block consolidating, board attaching, consolidating leather, and non-aqueous de-acidifying. Humidifies and flattens materials as appropriate and constructs pockets to house accompanying material. Performs a variety of chemical tests and analytical procedures to determine the stability of pigment, inks, or other media. Performs quality assurance on the full range of treatments performed in the Section.

Ensures that the equipment is in optimum working order. Coordinates equipment usage with mechanical repair to ensure optimum working level. Demonstrates troubleshooting techniques for malfunctioning equipment to others.

Maintains extensive records on the use of equipment and problems with equipment and reports all malfunctions. Equipment used may include board shears, guillotine cutter, book presses, computers, ultrasonic or heat welding equipment, fume hood, pressure and spray equipment for de-acidification preparation, sewing frames, or automated box-making machines.

Performs special searches of various computer and card catalogs and files to locate and/or verify bibliographic data in support of various preservation functions, to verify entry or call number, and to identify the relationship of the piece in hand to the collection as a whole.

Determines and enters bibliographic information into the computer following established policies and guidelines.

Attends meetings and participates more actively in individual and group discussions. Demonstrates independence in being able to respond to questions of a more difficult nature from the custodial divisions. Prepares and delivers more detailed oral presentations. Also participates on Library committees such as the Library-wide disaster preparedness and response efforts.

Drafts letters that require original wording and translates information into terms understandable by others. Corresponds with others via e-mail, memoranda, and other documents related to the business of the division or section. Operates computer word processing applications. Prepares statistical reports and assists in compiling other special statistics or documents.

Performs other duties as assigned.

The position description number for this position is 062254.

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.

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

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
07

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 preservation techniques for library collection materials.**

Ability to use computerized search tools, databases, and other computer applications.

Ability to plan, organize, and execute work within specified deadlines.**

Ability to operate and maintain specialized equipment.

Ability to communicate in writing.

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.