Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Public Services Division, Global Legal Research Directorate, Law Library.

The position description number for this position is 011004.

This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

Responds to United States, foreign, comparative, and international legal and legislative reference inquiries from Members of Congress, congressional committees, the White House, federal courts, Government agencies, libraries, the bar, and the general public. Inquiries may be received by telephone, in person, in writing, and by electronic means. Locates information, often of a specialized or technical nature, from a wide variety of published and unpublished legal and legislative information sources and electronic databases. Conducts legal and legislative research, and produces written responses to United States federal and state, foreign, comparative, and international legal and legislative reference inquiries requiring tailored responses. Prepares reports, bibliographies, letters, memoranda, finding aids, informational brochures, research guides and other written products. Gathers information from a wide variety of sources, both automated and in print or other media. Facilitates services to readers, analyzes information, and disseminates it in answer to requests. Advises researchers on research methodologies.

Uses knowledge of legal and legislative information sources in other Library of Congress service units, and law libraries and research institutions outside of the Library of Congress. As assigned, compiles information packages for clientele.

Analyzes and organizes specialized information, and evaluates and prioritizes work. Assesses new or unusual circumstances and develops variations in approach, and/or solutions for incomplete or conflicting information. Identifies, examines, and evaluates major publications and trends in the law. Analyzes, evaluates, organizes, compiles, and disseminates legal and legislative information and materials in various media.

Directs users to the proper specialists, resources, or services within the Law Library and other areas of the Library of Congress. Clarifies vague requests for legal and legislative information through the use of proper and/or specialized bibliographic and research tools. Meets with clients to analyze and clarify questions and requirements. May assist clients with specialized collections, using knowledge of these collections and the clients who require them. May develop an expertise in a field of law or legal and/or legislative research methodology.

Surveys and evaluates print and electronic collections to identify currency issues. Identifies, recommends and resolves collection processing issues relating to assigned areas/ subjects / jurisdictions of the Reading Room collections. Recommends alternative titles to and the removal of titles from assigned portions of the Law Library reference collections. Searches acquisitions lists for new titles and other materials in various formats for the Reading Room's collection as requested.

Provides online and in-person instruction to Law Library users and staff on the content, nature, and use of Law Library print and electronic resources, as well as legal research methodologies. Assists in the development of instructional offerings that educate users on legal research sources and strategies. Delivers orientations to groups and individuals on Law Library operations and services, and conducts briefings on the U.S. legal system, and functions and inter-relationships of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government under the U.S. constitutional scheme. These orientations and briefings may be delivered to Members of Congress; their staffs; U.S. federal and state jurists and attorneys; legal scholars; representatives of U.S. federal and state, foreign, and international governments; dignitaries; and students.

Reviews collections on a continual basis and exercises care to ensure collection material is properly handled and kept secure to avoid loss or damage. Reviews a variety of foreign and domestic sources for information about available materials. Contributes to digital collection development and management projects, such as web archiving and/or compiling and organizing web-sites based on current public policy issues. Determines permissibility of copying materials based on the preservation needs of the material.

Maintains liaison or communicates with individuals both within and outside the organization Professional contacts are with library patrons, supervisors, library staff, other national libraries, library and information networks, information centers, experts in government agencies, associations, the private sector, and/or research groups. Motivates and influences clientele to fully utilize programs and services. Meets with researcher, analyzes questions and requirements; suggests search strategies; and evaluates resources from the general, special and/or reference collections regardless of format.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
13

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

The incumbent of this position is exempt from flextime and compflex time and is assigned to work a special fixed/rotational schedule that involves day, evenings, weekends and holiday schedules; and the selected incumbent "must be consistently able and willing to work evenings, weekends and holidays based on the operational and service requirements of the Law Library as a condition 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 apply knowledge of the principles, concepts, and techniques of library science to organize and disseminate legal and/or legislative information.**

Ability to communicate legal and legislative information and analysis in writing.**

Ability to communicate effectively in a library or information center environment.**

Ability to utilize information technology and online legal resources.**

Ability to plan and implement library programs.

Ability to interact collaboratively with a diverse group of people.

Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.

Education

All librarians must meet the requirements for professional education in library science or possess equivalent experience and education.

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

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 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.

Additional Education and Experience Requirements for positions at GS-9 and Above.

GS-11- 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education in library science or doctoral degree (J.D., Ph.D. or equivalent) related to the position.

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.

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

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.

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.