Duties

Summary

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

The position description number for this position is 132882.

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

This position is not eligible for permanent remote telework.

Independently performs all aspects of acquisition support work, which includes the acquisition of material by exchange, gift, approvals, Copyright, and the most complex order creation and invoice processing. For recommended materials to be acquired, searches reference sources which may include print, automated files, and internal and external databases. Processes cancellations or adjustments to acquisition records. Contacts suppliers to verify acquisition information regarding recommendations to acquire library material for collections. Assists in determining if material needs to be claimed and issues appropriate claims to suppliers. Sorts and distributes items not destined for the collections. Identifies items for the Duplicate Material Exchange Program (DMEP), for the National Agriculture Library, for the National Library of Medicine, for surplus, and for discard.

Under appropriate review, performs collection development tasks including examination of incoming shipments to select items appropriate for the collections. Independently records receipts for all formats (e.g., bound and unbound serial and monograph ink prints, microforms, CD-ROMs, special formats} in an online environment.
Updates entries to resolve a wide variety of editorial problems such as duplicate entries, additions or changes to treatment and selection decisions, updates to reference or routing assignments, consolidation of holdings, etc.

Conducts training sessions for new employees. Trains and reviews the work of less experienced library technicians, temporary staff, and interns in acquisitions support related work. Assists in development of formal and informal training documentation related to acquisitions support. Serves as an expert in acquisition support or serials control activities. Serves as a leader for special projects related to acquisitions support. Participates in technical committees concerned with the duties of this position.

Communicates with a wide variety of patrons by telephone, letter, or electronic means regarding routine and non-routine questions on services to publishers and other specialized library services. Provides complex technical information in clear, straightforward language. Provides referrals to library and non-library services such as ISSN, Copyright, CIP, ISBN, U.S .. Postal Service, Patent and Trademark Office, etc., based on an extensive knowledge of these services and the differences among them. Exercises good public relations practices and demonstrates sound knowledge in soliciting and providing information. Demonstrates an understanding of the demands and attitudes of various interested and affected groups. Determines the best way of formulating requests and utilizes good judgment and discretion in the selection and presentation of the information. Is called on to deal with difficult patrons or callers or clients. Acts as a liaison for specific clients, negotiates and resolves problems, drafts original correspondence for specialized requests or explaining specific problems, prepares acquisition acknowledgment letters, etc.

Efficiently searches online databases, such as OCLC, RLIN, or an integrated library system, to locate records to use for copy cataloging, or to identify duplicate records or previously processed records. Searches names, uniform titles, series, and subject access points on bibliographic records to verify their existence in the appropriate Library authority files. Performs special searches of various on line catalogs to locate and/or verify bibliographic data for acquisitions functions. To identify the relationship of the piece in hand to the collection as a whole completes complex manual and computerized searches in multiple systems. Follows a substantial number of pertinent instructions concerning the recognition and comparison of dates, authors, titles, etc.

Receives and accessions one or more special category materials. Logs materials into and out of the workflow. Distributes materials to the correct section, shelf, or individual staff member. Handles returns from the bindery. Performs end-stage processing for materials; creates labels for materials. Routes processed materials to the correct locations in the Library. Works closely with Collections Improvement Section or custodial divisions to resolve bibliographic problems raised during shelflist conversions, pinning-and-linking activities, and physical inventories of the collection.

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 read, write, and speak English and Japanese, in order to perform library technician duties for all incoming materials in library settings.**

Ability to apply knowledge of library acquisitions.**

Ability to apply knowledge of library cataloging rules, practices, and procedures.**

Ability to process and maintain materials in library collections.

Ability to utilize information technology and bibliographic online systems.

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.