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Clarification from the agency
Anyone may apply - By law, employment at most U.S. Government agencies, including the Library of Congress, is limited to U.S. citizens. However, non-citizens may be hired, provided that other legal requirements are met and the Library determines there are no quali?ed U.S. citizens available for the position.
Duties
This position serves as a Copyright Registration Specialist within the Registration Program in the U.S. Copyright Office.
As a Copyright Registration Specialist, you will:
- Examine claims to copyright in all categories of works applicable in the particular Division assigned, and register, question, or refuse claims as appropriate.
- Determine whether the works deposited contain suf?cient original creative authorship and whether all applicable eligibility requirements have been met.
- Using speci?c guidelines established by the Registration Program and the particular Division assigned, examine registration materials to determine the correct facts of the claim, check the accuracy of the application statements against information included in the physical or electronic work deposited, and appropriately question discrepancies.
- In appropriate circumstances, perform research on copyright issues involving the Copyright Act, U.S. Copyright Of?ce regulations, the Compendium of U.S. Copyright Of?ce Practices, Third Edition, prior registration records, and other Of?ce resources.
- Draft email correspondence that ef?ciently and accurately explains common problems, including the explanation of any relevant copyright principles, and evaluate correspondence relating to copyright claims. Convey copyright principles to a widely diverse audience, ranging from persons with no knowledge of copyright to copyright attorneys and industry professionals.
- Create a public record for registered claims based on copyright facts from the application and bibliographic facts from the deposit in accordance with Copyright Of?ce policies and rules.
- Maintain a complex and dynamic workload in an effective and timely manner, and ef?ciently examine claims to copyright utilizing the electronic registration system software.
- Pro?ciently use standard software applications, such as Microsoft Of?ce applications, to create email, letters, and other documents.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
The position description number for these positions is 327081.
The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area.
The incumbents of these positions will work a flextime work schedule.
These positions are non-supervisory and are in the bargaining unit.
Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
Conditions of Employment
Library of Congress employees are prohibited from using illegal drugs, including marijuana. The Library is part of the Federal Government and abides by federal law, so regardless of individual state or District of Columbia laws, marijuana use is illegal, considered criminal activity, and can affect your employment at the Library. In addition, past or current drug use and activities (e.g., selling or distributing) may deem you ineligible for employment.
Copyright is a form of legal protection provided by the laws of the United States (Title 17, U. S. Code) to authors of literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and other works. The United States Copyright Office, located within the Library of Congress and under the direction of the Register of Copyrights, administers the Copyright Law, advises Congress and government agencies on legal and policy matters; provides international representation on copyright issues; administers the national copyright registration system; provides collections materials to the Library through voluntary registration and mandatory deposit programs; records documents relating to copyright chain of title; administers statutory license provisions of the law, including collecting and distributing royalties; maintains the world’s largest database of copyright public records; and, provides information and reference services to the public.
The Office of Registration Policy and Practice (RPP) contributes to the mission of the U.S. Copyright Office "to foster creativity" by maintaining and improving the Copyright Office's core functions of examining copyright applications and deposits; issuing certificates of registration; corresponding with applicants, attorneys, and industry professionals to resolve issues with registration materials; refusing copyright claims; cataloging copyright submissions; and providing information on copyright registrations to the general public, attorneys, and courts. RPP also provides leadership to the Copyright Office in the development and adoption of new solutions to improve quality, productivity, and efficiency in the Registration Program that will provide benefits to creators and the general public.
These positions are located in the Literary, Performing Arts and/or Visual Arts Divisions, Registration Program, Copyright Office.
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 Identify, Analyze, and Resolve Problems.**
Ability to Communicate in Writing.**
Ability to Work with a Variety of Written Information, Procedures, and Instructions.**
Ability to Utilize Computer Technology/Software Applications.
Ability to Plan, Prioritize, Organize and Execute Work.
Ability to Communicate Effectively other than in Writing.
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 notify the agency. 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 certificate of disability may be issued by a State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The date of certification must be within three years of the vacancy closing date and must be submitted with your application. For more information contact the Library's Office of Opportunity, Inclusiveness & Compliance at 202-707-3960 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. 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.
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 an 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.
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.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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.
You may preview questions for this vacancy.
Required Documents
Current or former federal employees must submit their most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent).
Disabled applicants claiming Selective Placement eligibility must submit proof of disability and a certification of job readiness. If Selective Placement is applicable to you, you will not be considered without submitting this documentation.
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.