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Librarian (Cataloging Policy Specialist)

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Washington, D.C
Closing date
Sep 25, 2020
Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Cooperative Programs & Policy Section, Policy, Training & Cooperative Programs, Acquisitions & Bibliographic Access Directorate, Library Services.

The position description number for this position is 388013.

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.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

Analyzes, evaluates, and proposes new cataloging practices and standards that are cited as authoritative by other libraries. Initiates and participates in studies of proposed changes in cataloging policies and practices initiated by the Library or external organizations. Initiates and coordinates studies to assist in evaluating operational benefits of introducing new technology. Works with the Program for Cooperative Cataloging and colleagues to develop standards that are international in scope and harmonized among standards. Works with others in the community to help coordinate the overall process of bibliographic control and access for resources. Prepares reports, analyses, statements, proposals, and documents that and authoritatively convey national-level cataloging policy. Advises and informs others on policies and procedures related to cataloging. Researches, analyzes, and interprets major new concepts and techniques in cataloging.

Provides expertise to multiple projects especially in the areas of organization, development, and implementation. Serves as a project leader, team leader, or chairperson for working groups, task forces, committees, etc., which have been assigned responsibility for specific automated system development, enhancement projects and tasks. Coordinates the activities of a national and international cooperative cataloging program and recruits new members from the United States and other countries, assigns mentors and trainers, and reviews progress. Organizes and develops projects utilizing critical judgment to determine scope, emphasis, approach, appropriate techniques, and manner of presentation. Develops technical standards and/or protocols applicable to library functions. Participates in planning the work of the division, including formulating goals and objectives, and identifying opportunities for improvements in methods and procedures.

Analyzes and plans all phases of the production process for a writing project. Directs others in the writing process, reviews their work, and makes recommendation for improvements. Writes and/or edits information on Library of Congress programs, policies, functions, and research as a recognized expert in a subject area. Written products articulate, interpret, and explain the highly complex and important topics of the particular project.

Serves as a principal liaison for the organization at professional conferences, seminars, and exhibits. Serves as a major spokesperson for the directorate at meetings within the Library and around the library community. Initiates, establishes, and maintains professional relationships with librarians and other specialists in order to share resources and information. Works with colleagues to identify key issues for discussion at professional forums, oversees the preparation of background papers; decides on the most appropriate strategies for and coordinates the discussion; oversees follow through after the meeting.

Consults with colleagues as well as the staff of libraries throughout the nation involved in cooperative cataloging projects. Presents papers at conferences, seminars, or meetings in librarianship and other relevant fields. Prepares articles for publication.

Comments on and drafts discussion papers and proposals for changes to cataloging formats. Coordinates and leads meetings at the American Library Association's annual and midwinter meetings.

Provides presentations and training at ALA meetings, and meetings of other library associations and special interest groups. Represents the directorate at international meetings, and serves on international task forces, as appropriate.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
14

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 cataloging rules, practices and procedures.**

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

Ability to use integrated library systems, applications, or other information technologies. **

Knowledge of cataloging metadata standards, policies, procedures applications, and practice. **

Ability to interact collaboratively with others to provide consultation and liaison services.

Ability to communicate in writing.

Ability to plan, coordinate, and evaluate projects.

Ability to provide training.

Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.

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 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.

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.

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

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.

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