Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Kluge Center, Library Collections and Services Group.

The position description number for this position is 414535.

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

The incumbent of this position will work a flexitime work schedule.

This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.

Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement.

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Responsibilities

The Writer-Editor researches, writes, and edits as assigned for the Kluge Center in the Library Collections and Services Group of the Library of Congress. The incumbent reports directly to the Director, Kluge Center and develops story ideas and works with experts in the Kluge Center and across the Library to curate content for Library publications, including and especially social media. The incumbent researches and verifies facts and information to promote Kluge Center programs and the work of residential scholars. The incumbent researches, recommends, and provides background for visual images and audio-visual materials to accompany written products; drafts press releases; and handles all technical aspects of Kluge Center social media content. The incumbent may also be required to work closely with other divisions to ensure that Kluge Center's website is current and up-to-date.

Researches, writes, and edits materials that are complex or controversial, and read by a diverse audience. Develops and synthesizes final copy based on material submitted by others. Critiques and rewrites manuscripts for accuracy, logic, completeness, and effective communication for the intended audience, resolving conflicts in written material so that published items are consistent with organizational mission, administrative policies, objectives, and the total information program of incumbent's area of assignment. Reviews manuscripts for grammar, spelling, punctuation, clarity, organization, and conformance to relevant style guidelines as prescribed by the Library and Kluge Center. Eliminates inconsistencies, inaccuracies, and erroneous matter. Uses extensive knowledge of Kluge mission, policies, and procedures.

Frequently, the submitted material requires extensive rewriting, reorganizing, and editing.

Establishes policies for style, readability, and consistency for all scripts, signage, and publications produced. Evaluates preliminary drafts and offers suggestions to project directors, authors, and/or designers on presentation of subject matter and visuals for a target audience.

Recommends inclusion of additional visuals or information, or condenses the material to suit the constraints of design. Ensures that the language level is appropriate for the stated audience and that the necessary background information is provided.

Performs extensive drafting, editing, reorganization and/or rewriting that requires in-depth research. Ensures text is concise, well organized, and easily comprehended by a general audience. Proofreads final text for consistency, format, completeness, spelling, punctuation, capitalizations, syntax, and accuracy. Analyzes, corrects, and proofreads reports and materials written by other writers.

Recommends major changes in the organization and presentation of the original manuscript and/or the addition of objects or graphic elements such as maps or charts to enhance the comprehension of the product. Independently coordinates changes in emphasis through participation with the author and/or the designer.

Provides an initial review of specialized products to ensure that they meet approved editorial standards of objectivity, style, and manner of presentation. Recommends major changes in the organization, presentation, and factual coverage of products. Makes interpretations and tailors products to meet requirements or objectives.

Obtains agreement on major changes, approach, emphasis, and style of presentation as related to subject content and Library of Congress policy. Edits for style and format materials submitted for LC publication and briefs new employees regarding the use of acceptable standards.

Initiates and maintains relationships with subject-matter specialists to develop story ideas and solicit written products. Periodically apprises subject-matter specialists of editorial standards adhered to in the preparation of products.

Researches and uses appropriate sources for written material and recommends techniques for conveying information and ideas for explanatory material and updates.

Plans and assists in the production of material. Gathers and verifies facts and assists or leads in the development and presentation of the information. Discusses related visual information (photographs, drawings, audio-visual materials) with designers and other staff members as appropriate. Ensures appropriateness of language for the standard audience and that the necessary background information is provided so the reader will be able to understand new or difficult ideas and concepts. Coordinates the visual presentation with all text and labeling.

Regularly communicates with supervisor, colleagues, and stakeholders and ensures adherence to deadlines. Develops information from various reports, such as from resource specialists, consolidated draft reports, team meeting notes, photo files, graphic arts files, and other sources.

This position is not eligible for permanent remote telework.

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 reference sources and research techniques.**

Ability to use information technology to perform writing duties.**

Ability to communicate effectively in writing.**

Ability to plan, organize, and execute work.

Ability to interact collaboratively with others to produce written and multimedia products.

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
Other

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.