Duties

Summary

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) American Law Division is accepting applications under its 2021 Graduate Recruit Program for a Research Librarian. These positions will be filled at the GS-09 level (see "Duties" below).

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

About the Graduate Recruit Program:

Initial appointments under the 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.

Duties for this position include the following:

The Law Librarians selected under this announcement will:

• Provide reference and research services to CRS legislative attorneys, policy analysts and congressional clients;
• Develop search techniques and files for handling specific types of requests;
• Search the Library of Congress, CRS, and external electronic resources in response to requests for information;
• Examine publications, electronic resources, and trends in a variety of areas;
• Develop knowledge of collections for use in performing research tasks; and
• Assist with the creation and maintenance of databases, web pages, collaborative tools and other information systems.

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.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
13

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

No additional requirements to those listed above.

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).

Education requirements for a GS-09 appointment (see table below)

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR LAW LIBRARIAN POSITIONS

GS-09 Grade Level

Two full years of progressively higher level graduate education in library or information science, OR master's degree in library or information science or equivalent graduate degree related to the position, OR enrollment in a master of library or information science degree program or equivalent graduate degree program with one year of relevant work experience equivalent to the GS-07 level.

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

KSA #1: Prior Background and Experience / 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.

KSA #2: 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.

KSA #3: 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.

Education

Please review Qualifications section for Education Requirements.

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 position description number for this vacancy announcement is 60372. 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. Applicants who are referred for an interview will be required to submit a completed Form 1862 Library of Congress Applicant Data Form/Reference Form.

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 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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

Completed application packages will be forwarded to a panel of CRS staff that will first assess applicants against basic eligibility and general education requirements of the position. An evaluation panel will then assess the degree to which candidates meet the critical knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) required to perform the duties of the position and offer the better qualified candidates an opportunity for an interview in person, by telephone or by other telecommunications means. In addition to the critical KSAs listed above, the following competencies will also be addressed during the interview:

• Ability to Interact Collaboratively with Others
• Ability to Utilize Information Technology
• Ability to Solve Problems and Make Decisions
• Ability to Communicate Effectively Other Than in Writing

A complete applicant package will require applicants to provide responses to a vacancy questionnaire, which includes mandatory submission of a Candidate Statement of Interest. Finalists may be required to submit a writing sample related to their academic discipline.

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 .

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Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

It is recommended that you review your application to ensure it contains the following items:

• Resume (uploaded through USAJobs.gov)
• Completed vacancy questionnaire
• Graduate transcripts or a self-prepared course list (attachment to application)

Note: the "Documents" section of the application may request that you attach Form 1862 Library of Congress Applicant Data Form/Reference Form. You may choose to upload this form as part of your application or submit it at the time of interview. Incomplete applications will not be referred to interview officials and will be disqualified from further consideration.

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.