Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Physical Collections Services, Serial and Government Publications Division, General and International Collections, Library Services.

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Responsibilities

This position is located in the Physical Collections Services Section of the Serial and Government Publications Division, General and International Collections Directorate. The position reports to the Head, Physical Collections Services Section. The Serial and Government Publications Division is custodian for and provides public access to newspapers, current periodicals, comic books, and various types of government publications in the Newspaper and Current Periodical Reading Room. The incumbent serves as a Supervisory Technician for the Collections Management and Retrieval Team or the Collections Processing Team and is responsible for a variety of activities in support of serials collections management and preservation activities, serials binding and reformatting preparation, and related inventory and description of the serial collections in the Library of Congress integrated library system (LC-ILS). The incumbent may supervise the work of staff in a combination of serial processing technicians, vault technicians, deck attendants, contract technicians, interns and volunteers. The incumbent ensures the preparation and quality review of materials temporarily housed in the division as well as the preservation, housing, and access to the permanent custodial collections of the division. The incumbent may edit or review bibliographic records in OCLC Connexion, enter or edit bibliographic holdings and item records in the LC ILS, search the ILS, binding preparation software, and other computerized systems, and uses common spreadsheet and database software.

Supervises a group of employees performing work up to the GS-08 level. Provides administrative and technical supervision. Plans work to be accomplished by subordinates, sets and adjusts short-term priorities, and prepares schedules for completion of work. Assigns work to subordinates based on priorities, selective consideration of the difficulty and requirements of assignments and the capabilities of employees. Observes workers' performance; demonstrates and conducts work performance critiques. Establishes guidelines and performance expectations for staff and clearly communicates these through the formal employee performance management system. Provides informal feedback and periodically evaluates employee performance. Resolves informal complaints and grievances. Recommends appointment, promotion, or reassignment and develops work improvement plans, recommending personnel actions as necessary.

Searches and transcribes information from computerized and manual files. Organizes and completes complex manual and computerized searches in multiple systems. Prepares automated access/inventory records for single items or collections. Compiles, prepares and analyzes statistical information. Effectively utilizes spreadsheet and database software to maintain records and compile reports.

Effectively searches online LC and external databases for automated records corresponding to newly received materials, including the OPAC and cataloguing and acquisitions modules of the Library of Congress integrated library system (LC-ILS), identifying specific types and problematic materials; and importing and editing records as needed. Understands and properly utilizes MARC fields as they pertain to serials and serial government documents.

Determines appropriate treatment for physical collection items, including those routed for library binding, reformatting, and items that require labeling, additional repair or support prior to final processing.

Working with the section head, monitors and coordinates procedures for routing materials for preservation treatment and for preparation of materials to be added to the collections. This includes examining any items in the custody of the division and recommending treatments such as binding, rebinding, boxing, reformatting, tip-in, and repair. Serves as an expert in serials reformatting and preservation for the division. Recommends technical specifications for binding such as method of leaf attachment, cover material, or spine lettering.

Identifies and searches for requested items that are vague or not readily found, using an array of extensive knowledge of bibliographic tools and procedures. Responds to reference inquiries (telephone, written, electronic means and in person) relating to serials holdings, bibliographic information, binding status for unbound periodical issues, microfilm status of newspapers and special collections of the division

The position description number for this position is 415088.

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 work schedule.

This is a supervisory, non-bargaining unit position.

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

This position is not eligible for permanent remote telework.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
Yes

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 supervise.**

Knowledge of acquisitions and bibliographic records.**

Ability to utilize computer technology and software applications.**

Knowledge of library processes and procedures, including preservation practices.**

Ability to plan and execute work.

Ability to meet and collaborate with others.

Ability to provide reference services.

Ability to communicate effectively other than 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.