Duties

Summary

The Congressional Research Service (CRS), Knowledge Services Group (KSG) seeks a Reference and Digital Services Librarians to join its Knowledge Management Section. The selectee will perform reference and instructional services, and will maintain and develop web-based information tools and services.

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Responsibilities

WEB SERVICES

Facilitates and coordinates communication with stakeholders and collaborates with CRS staff to assist in the development and improvement of web-based information tools and services. Participates in the development and improvement of internal websites, including updating content and assisting in integrating new features and technologies. Applies standard and emerging practices of librarianship and other fields and disciplines related to the organization of information and management of information access.

Participates in and/or leads the maintenance of digital services such as bibliographic reference management, virtual reference, digital archives and repositories. Organizes information to improve access and retrieval.

DIGITAL SERVICES PROJECTS

Contributes to the development or enhancement of information tools to support CRS's research activities, identifies project-related issues or problems, formulates requirements for tools and systems to address these needs, and liaises with information technology specialists regarding incorporation of these requirements into new or enhanced information systems.

Participates in digital content and knowledge management projects. Assists with ongoing assessment of CRS's information services through data gathering and analysis, and exploratory research on standard storage and access options and preservation strategies. Participates in research and evaluation, and in the planning, design, development, testing, and implementation of new digital services.

Keeps abreast of developments affecting knowledge management, metadata, and information retrieval.

INSTRUCTIONAL AND RESEARCH SERVICES

Provides electronic and print research and reference services. Promotes the use of electronic research materials by staff and coordinates the development of training guides (e.g., library tutorials, web-based instruction, and web pages). Identifies information resources to respond to research needs, instructs clients in the use of digital resources in face-to-face and classroom settings, updates documentation related to content administration and management, and assists with client outreach activities.

Develops and maintains a broad knowledge of CRS information resources, current events, research activities, and research resources. Integrates this knowledge into designing new tools and technology or facilitating or enhancing use of current tools and technology.

Candidates with a Master of Library Science (MLS) or equivalent degree or experience; knowledge of current and emerging practices of librarianship or other fields and disciplines related to the organization of information; and an understanding of the principles of information management, metadata, and information retrieval are encouraged to apply.

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 a legislative branch agency within the Library of Congress, CRS has been a valued and respected resource on Capitol Hill for more than a century.

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.

The selectee will work a 40-hour week and may be required to provide evening and Saturday reference desk coverage, including Monday through Thursday, 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Saturday work is required only when Congress is in session). The remaining work hours (non-evening/Saturday) will be determined based on workload and coverage needs, and will contribute to the total of 40 hours per week.

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.

Ability to apply knowledge of current and emerging technologies and techniques in library and information services.**

Ability to provide reference and research services.**

Ability to organize, integrate and present content.**

Ability to provide instructional services.

Ability to plan and organize work.

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.

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 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.

In addition to meeting the basic entry qualification requirements, applicants must have directly related education and/or specialized experience.

GS- 11

Three full years of progressively higher level graduate education in library science or doctoral degree (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

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.
This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.

The tour of duty for this position is full-time.

The position description number for this position is 317723.

The incumbent of this position may elect to work a flexitime or compflex work schedule.

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 interview will be required to submit a completed OF-306, Declaration for Federal Employment .

Initial appointments, permanent or indefinite, to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period. In addition, per Library of Congress Regulation 2010-12, an appointee is subject to a one-year supervisory probationary period, if this is his/her first supervisory/managerial position at the Library.

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 this agency. The decision on granting reasonable accommodations will be made 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 certificate of disability may be issued by a State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of an applicant's college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The date of certification must be within one year of the vacancy closing date and must be submitted with your application. For more information view the directive on the Library's Selective Placement Program and/or contact the Library's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity Programs at 202-707-6024 (voice or TTY) or email spp@loc.gov . FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM.

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, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference , and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form. For more information regarding eligibility requirements, please see the Library's Merit Selection Plan, Section X.D . 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 .

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Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process
Credentialing

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.