Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Middle East and South Asia Section, Asian and Middle Eastern Division, Acquisitions and Bibliographic Access Directorate, Library Services.

The position description number for this position is 058500.

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

The incumbent of this position will work a flextime, compflex, or maxiflex work schedule.

This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position

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Responsibilities

Independently catalogs a full range of material. Offers solutions on how to describe bibliographic elements that are not covered by cataloging rules, or require interpretation. Searches entries in automated and manual catalogs. Assigns headings to catalog entries. Selects and assigns classification numbers. Establishes personal and corporate names and uniform titles for inclusion in the name authority file. Establishes and recommends subject headings for inclusion in the subject authority file and classification schedule. Creates and revises bibliographic records, authority records, and classification schedules. Performs content designation of bibliographic and authority records. Performs research in the cataloger's reference collection, online databases, the world wide web, and the collections of the Library. Resolves problems and inconsistencies in the cataloging process. Identifies items which do not require cataloging (e.g., duplicates); items which are out of scope; and items for which a record already exists.

Organizes and coordinates assignments that involve complex and novel or obscure problems and/or special requirements. Analyzes material to determine its relationship to the existing collections, for proper main entry, and the need for added entries. Analyzes material to determine subject content. Identifies areas for improvement in established methods. Performs detailed analyses and evaluations of cataloging requests. Prepares reports, analyses, and other documents related to information and research efforts. Examines proposals to create or change subject headings to insure conformity. Assists in the preparation of memoranda, guidelines and correspondence in response to inquiries regarding application of cataloging rules and subject heading and classification matters.

Assists in collection development for assigned countries, languages, and/or subjects. Reviews a wide variety of brochures, catalogs, journals, and other sources for new items and sources for possible acquisition. Assists in collection development for assigned countries, languages, and/or subjects. Reviews a wide variety of brochures, catalogs, journals, and other sources for new items and sources for possible acquisition and makes specific recommendations to fill in gaps and enhance existing collections. Examines incoming shipments to select items appropriate for the collections, consulting others only for the most difficult decisions. Examines recommendations for acquisition to identify processing and custodial requirements, and to ensure conformity with or approve deviation from established guidelines. Participates in formulating plans for changes and improvements to collection development policies.

Independently acquires a variety of materials in all formats from assigned countries and/or in assigned languages. Assists in planning and implementation of special acquisitions projects. Applies extensive knowledge of library functions to modify standard library practices related to acquisitions of a wide variety of library materials. Contacts dealers, subscription agents, vendors, overseas offices, domestic and foreign government agencies, exchange partners, and/or donors, to obtain information, negotiate price or other terms of acquisition, coordinate the acquisitions process, and resolve unusual problems. Determines appropriate source and method of acquisition of recommended items. Participates in annual budget preparation. Prepares approval plan renewals, including notification of new budgeted amounts. Conducts vendor evaluation. Researches and recommends new sources of acquisitions and/or access. Assures that purchase orders and invoices are represented by correct bibliographic identification and correct coding in the acquisitions system, including resolution of unusual recordation problems. Assures that materials ordered or received are new to the collections. Determines availability of funds and recommends reallocation when necessary. Resolves problems and inconsistencies in the acquisitions process. Performs research in on-site reference sources, online databases, the world wide web, and the collections of the Library.

Establishes and maintains professional relationships with librarians and other specialists in order to share resources and information as well as to coordinate workflow within the library. As a consultant, recommends changes in procedures, workflows, and tools. Recommends solutions or resolves important issues when precedents do not apply.

The staff member develops plans to implement training goals and to assure achievement of learning objectives. Provides initial intensive instruction and ongoing training of staff, reviewing and revising the work as needed. Recommends additional aids to meet the needs of the training program. Resolves problems that arise in the training program. Adapts current methodologies and guidelines to accommodate unique training situations.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
13

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 read, understand, and transliterate classical Tibetan and Sanskrit texts.**

Knowledge of classical Tibetan and Sanskrit literature, culture, and civilization.**

Knowledge of cataloging rules and ability to catalog and research library materials.**

Ability to use library software applications, integrated library platforms, and other information technologies.

Ability to develop and maintain relationships and provide consultation and liaison services.

Ability to communicate in writing.

Education

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

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.

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.