Duties
Directs a national repair program to maintain playback devices used in the NLS network, including volunteers, regional repair facilities, etc. Analyzes data from network agencies to identify areas with device repair problems and makes recommendations to the Program Delivery Division on matters involving playback device production and reliability.
Interprets NLS and quality assurance standards for network of repair agencies. Recommends policies and procedures and assists in implementing adequate delivery and quality assurance programs in each repair unit or repair facility. Organizes, implements, and monitors such processes as the review of equipment functionality prior to assignment to patrons, warranty returns to the manufacturer of defective materials, and inspection of materials prior to release.
Develops training materials and programs; coordinates the training of state and volunteer groups. Designs and produces technical information manuals, videotape presentations, and circulars for use by these groups. Conducts workshops and training sessions to maintain a high level of effectiveness in the repair and maintenance of the national inventory of over 500,000 electronic playback devices.
Coordinates the repairs made by firms under contract to the agency. Assures that playback equipment is furnished as expeditiously as possible to network personnel requiring them.
Participates in declaring items that are no longer economically repairable as excess to the system, and recommends their disposal. Applies extensive knowledge of the equipment concerned, develops suggestions for alternate commercial uses of equipment, and/or recommends equipment modifications to facilitate commercial use.
Provides advisory services related to equipment design, production, operational, and maintenance requirements with regard to new or significantly modified total equipment systems, groups of commodity classes, or subsystems. Through conferences, meetings, reports, travel and training, provides technical information along with continuing technical advice and assistance necessary to resolve problems and support assigned categories of equipment. Communicates extensively orally and in writing with a variety of internal personnel and numerous contractors and representatives of other organizations.
Coordinates activities with other subordinate and higher-level organizations. Makes recommendations to support management decisions related to improvement of processes such as Information Technology support, key personnel support, playback equipment utilization, maintenance requirements, publications, etc. Advises potential vendors regarding approval and validation procedures. Checks whether vendors comply with ANSI and ISO 9000 requirements. Reviews vendor capabilities and past performance.
Recommends a variety of sources of supply including procurement, cannibalization, in-house manufacture, etc. Work requires in-depth knowledge of the primary manufacturers of assigned components and parts. Identifies problems and/or trends that exist regarding the acquisition of various parts and equipment and recommends improvements. Identifies and evaluates potential vendors, and conducts site surveys for procurement source approval. Gathers information for contract preparation packages.
Provides the technical equipment data required to assure that requisitions are filled with the exact item needed. Prepares statements of work, justifications for other than full and open competition, product specifications, and other technical documentation related to procurement actions. Fulfills agency Contract Officer Representative (COR) duties and actions involving contracts.
Conducts/coordinates on a continuing basis, the evaluation of design, configuration, and engineering changes for major components of new/extensively modified equipment systems and/or commodity classes.
Makes technical recommendations regarding design, development and testing, and assures that maintainability and reliability requirements are incorporated.
The incumbent of this position will work a flexitime work schedule.
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.
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 principles, practices, and procedures used with electronics maintenance, equipment repair and troubleshooting.**
Knowledge of technical proficiency in assistive technology diagnostics, repair, and maintenance.**
Knowledge of the characteristics, properties, and uses of electrical equipment.**
Ability to communicate in writing.
Ability to meet, deal and interact collaboratively with others to provide a variety of services.
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 at step one of the grade.
The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer.
Applicants must submit a complete application package that is received by the closing date of this announcement.
Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation. For more information, please see:Vetting Process
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 Equal Employment Opportunity 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.
The Library reserves the right to fill a lesser or greater number of vacancies indicated during the life of this vacancy announcement.
Initial permanent appointments to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period. Probationary periods served at other Federal agencies do not count toward this requirement.
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.
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.
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