Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Kluge Center within the Library Collections and Services Group at the Library of Congress and reports directly to the Director, Kluge Center. The position serves as a Research Assistant in the Kluge Center and applies knowledge of research, data collection, manipulation and analysis, writing, and quality control to perform independent analytical assignments of
moderate difficulty.

The position description number for this position is 405278.

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Responsibilities

Assists Kluge staff in responding to requests for research and analysis related to program issues, which may be interdisciplinary in nature. As directed, independently addresses requests that are moderately complex and routine or recurring, or that may be non-routine and complicated, or those in which the employee has extensive subject matter expertise.

As directed, prepares moderately complex contributions for comprehensive or complex analytical products that define program issues, clarify and discuss options, and/or synthesize and present information in a manner that most clearly conveys its meaning and significance, relates fact to opinion, and illustrates points of view.

As directed, prepares moderately complex contributions for comprehensive or complex descriptive products that inform understanding of scholarly issues.

May author or co-author analytical or descriptive and background reports, memoranda, and other types of written responses, employing established methodology in an area in which the employee has education, training, or experience. As directed, assembles and compiles team members' contributions to written products.

Participates in group efforts on research projects as a member of a collaborative team. As directed, and employing the applicable established methodology for the project, undertakes and/or may lead research and data analytical tasks of moderate complexity to support the development of an array of analytical and descriptive products or components.

Applies thorough knowledge of commonly used data sources, emerging data sources, and their interrelationships within an area in which the employee has extensive education, training, or experience or to which the employee has been assigned.

Locates, extracts, and collects qualitative information. Compiles quantitative data of moderate complexity. Interprets and evaluates data for accuracy, relevance, authoritativeness, usefulness, etc. Works closely with Kluge staff and managers to identify and resolve technical and/or theoretical problems with the data and formats it to meet targeted, well-defined research needs.

As directed, creates and populates databases and spreadsheets. Makes recommendations for the development of additional databases and spreadsheets. Reformats and standardizes data from different sources and performs data input). Trains colleagues and/or instructs staff on the content, nature, and use of data resources created or maintained by the employee.

Formats a range of tables, graphs, images, and other insertions to Kluge Center products, reviewing and verifying this content for accuracy and completeness. Recommends quality control procedures and makes suggestions to improve and enhance these insertions to Kluge products. Updates and ensures currency, relevance, and functionality of hyperlinks in Kluge products and performs other quality control measures as needed. Refers questions and problems to other research associates, analysts, and specialists for resolution.

Prepares analytic and descriptive materials for use at consultations and meetings. Attends consultations, seminars, and outreach activities to gain familiarity with the scope of partner needs for tied to the Kluge Center's information and analytic capabilities. Records questions, gauges audience engagement, and captures audience suggestions for future sessions.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
09

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.

Ability to perform research and analysis.**

Ability to prepare written research materials.**

Ability to utilize information technology.**

Ability to apply knowledge of research resources.

Ability to collaborate.

Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.

Education

Additional information

This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.

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 participate 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.