Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Film Laboratory, Preservation Services Section, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division, Library Services at the National Audio-Visual Conservation Center (NAVCC), Culpeper, Virginia.

The position description number for this position is 138467.

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

The incumbent will work a flextime work schedule.

This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The National Audio-Visual Conservation Center (NAVCC) of the Library of Congress is responsible for the acquisition, processing, preservation, duplication, and reference services for the audio and motion picture collections of the Library. These collections consist of film, magnetic tape (audio and video), digital file, disc, wire, and cylinder recordings and associated catalogs, indices, scripts, contracts, agreements, and logs pertaining to the collections. The NAVCC maintains fully equipped laboratories to handle the recording, preservation, and duplication of these materials.

The film laboratory incorporates a 35mm black and white photochemical motion picture laboratory, a film-to-file scanning operation, and a nascent digital restoration capability. Equipment includes 35mm contact and optical printers (some with wet-gate), four 4K film scanners, two DaVinci Resolve suites, and two QC screening rooms. Motion pictures and television programs preserved by the laboratory on film are shown at festivals and cinematheques around the world, and in the NAVCC's theatre. Digital scans are available to researchers and shared with the public on the loc.gov website and on YouTube.

Performs digital restorations of motion picture film utilizing software packages and other tools following the highest industry standards. Primary responsibilities of digital restoration tasks are conducted independently under the direction of the Motion Picture Laboratory Supervisor. Digitally preserves and restores images using multiple appropriate software and hardware tools to address specific problems in original footage such as instability, flicker, analog damage, missing frames, etc. Oversees the preparation for and archiving of the digitized materials in a secure and stable repository. Coordinates projects with appropriate personnel, insuring timely delivery of digitized materials, sometimes under tight deadlines.

Provides training on the creation, preservation, restoration, and use of digital images. Attends conferences and meetings to make presentations or for professional development to keep abreast of current trends and technology in areas of specialty.

As an authority in motion picture digital restoration techniques, provides technical support for digital film and digital photographic preservation projects. Responsibility extends over digital projects concerned with the preservation, conservation, and reproduction of motion picture film. Consults with staff from a variety of organizations regarding film and photographic documentation, digital restoration and treatments. Participates with management in the on-going development of digital film and photographic preservation programs and in developing guidelines and policies for the preservation, conservation and reproduction of a large variety film and photographic materials. Prepares reports, recommendations, and publications. Makes presentations as requested. Serves as a Library of Congress representative to national technical meetings concerned with film and photographic preservation. Provides training in methods and techniques of film or photographic preservation and reproduction technology.

Evaluates commercial motion picture restoration software to determine the strengths and weaknesses for use in restoring historical footage. Determines test procedures and the design of special test equipment. Tests preservation systems and components insuring proper calibration and performance. Test requirements may be hard to achieve or the item might be tested for an optional or new use. Test results are evaluated in terms of attainment of objectives.

Serves as a source of information and advice on program issues that require assessment of unusual circumstances or variations in approach and development of new methods and criteria. Serves as a mentor and provides guidance to film preservation staff. Maintains frequent contacts with coworkers in the organization to render advice, consultation, and assistance.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
12

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 the principles, concepts, and history of motion picture photography as it applies to digital restoration methodologies and practices.**

Knowledge of digital motion picture conversion and restoration principles, procedures, and operations.**

Ability to provide advice, guidance, and training in the digital restoration of motion pictures.**

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.