Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from all US Citizens

The Librarian serves the entire CFTC, providing support for staff in headquarters and in the three regional offices (New York, Chicago, and Kansas City). As such, the incumbent is responsible for the full range of library services. These duties include working with the senior Librarian or independently to:

• Provide authoritative legal, economic, and financial research, reference, and instructional services to attorneys, paralegals, economists, financial analysts, administrators, and other Commission staff; conducting complex searches across diverse print, electronic, and database sources; delivering tailored training on research strategies, tools, and resources to enhance user self-sufficiency.
• Assist in the continuous development, implementation, and evaluation of a comprehensive library program, including processes for acquiring, organizing, cataloging, archiving, retrieving, and disseminating information to meet the agency’s legal, economic, and futures-related information needs.
• Manage library contracts, purchase card acquisitions, vendor relationships, and resource implementation; working collaboratively with vendors and IT to ensure timely, efficient access to new print and electronic resources; evaluating and recommending acquisitions to support evolving Commission priorities.
• Maintain, support, and enhance the integrated library system (ILS) and associated electronic resources; planning and delivering user support, training, and access management; troubleshooting issues; and collaborating with IT and vendors to maintain, support, and promote the library’s website and all accessible electronic resources.
• Assist the Team Leader Senior Librarian in developing, justifying, and managing the library budget; contributing to program planning, resource allocation, and strategic enhancements.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship
• Background/Security Investigation
• May be required to serve a probationary/trial period
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Subject to time-in-grade requirements, if applicable

You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency (knowledge, skills and abilities) in the following areas:

1. Reference Services: Works with users to assess needs, provide information or assistance, resolve issues, and meet expectations. Demonstrates knowledge of available services and is committed to quality service delivery.
2. Information Management: Identifies information needs and knows where or how to gather it; organizes and maintains information or information management systems.
3. Technical Competence: Uses knowledge acquired through formal training or extensive on the job experience to perform job duties; understands and evaluates technical information; and advises others on technical matters.
4. Planning and Evaluating: Organizes work, sets priorities, identifies resource needs, and develops goals and strategies to achieve them. Coordinates with others to accomplish objectives, monitors progress, and evaluates outcomes

Qualifications

BASIC QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

1. Completion of 1 full academic year of graduate study in library science in an accredited college or university, in addition to completion of all work required for a bachelor's degree; OR
2. A total of at least 5 years of a combination of college-level education, training, and experience. To qualify on this basis, the applicant must establish conclusively that the education, training, and experience provided a knowledge and understanding of the theories, principles, and techniques of professional librarianship; a knowledge of literature resources; and the knowledge and abilities essential for providing effective library and information services.

SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS

3. 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university that meets all academic requirements for a bachelor's degree that included at least 24 semester hours in Law Librarianship; or that included any combination of subjects with at least 15 semester hours in a major subject (Law Librarianship) that is applicable to the position; OR
4. Completion of at least 24 semester hours of legal study in an accredited law school for positions primarily concerned with providing library services in law or legislative reference; OR
5. Four years of pertinent experience of such nature and level to provide a knowledge of the basic principles, theories, practices, techniques, terminology, and expressions of digital librarianship; an understanding of the standard methods, procedures, and techniques of research and analysis in digital librarianship; ability to acquire additional information about the field and related fields; and some knowledge of literature resources in the field. Such experience should be equivalent to that which would have been acquired through successful completion of a full 4-year curriculum in an accredited college or university with major study in digital librarianship, or combination of subjects, as specified in (1) above; or legal training as specified in (2) above; OR
6. Any time equivalent combination as described in (3) with education as described in (1) or (2) above.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: In addition to meeting the basic requirement, applicants must also meet the minimum qualification requirement listed below.

CT-11 Level: To qualify for the CT-11 level you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS/CT-09 level).  Specialized experience is defined that through which one has gained experience in 2 or more areas: 

• Providing guidance and support to library users and staff on circulation procedures and established library workflows; OR Contributing to the development and revision of library procedures, documentation, and workflow improvements; OR Using automated tools and bibliographic databases to search, verify, and update catalog and holdings information; OR Assisting in drafting internal guidance documents, standard operating procedures, and process instructions for library functions; OR Supporting acquisitions activities by monitoring orders, preparing basic procurement documentation, assisting in budget tracking, and coordinating with vendors regarding routine requests.

OR

• 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education in library science or doctoral degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) related to the position
• Or a combination of graduate level education and specialized experience that together meet the qualification requirements of this position.

CT-12 Level: To qualify for the CT-12 level you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS/CT-11 level).  Specialized experience is defined that through which one has gained experience in all of the following areas:

• Providing guidance and support to library users and staff on circulation procedures and established library workflows; AND Contributing to the development and revision of library procedures, documentation, and workflow improvements; AND Using automated tools and bibliographic databases to search, verify, and update catalog and holdings information; AND Assisting in drafting internal guidance documents, standard operating procedures, and process instructions for library functions; AND Supporting acquisitions activities by monitoring orders, preparing basic procurement documentation, assisting in budget tracking, and coordinating with vendors regarding routine requests.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated for this position based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in the job announcement. First, your application will be reviewed to determine whether you meet the minimum qualification requirements. Applicants who meet these requirements will then be assessed against the core competencies for this role using the method described below.

As part of the assessment, you must submit an Accomplishment Record. This includes written narratives describing your past achievements as they relate to the specific core competencies for this position. The rating panel will review both your accomplishment record and your resume, and will place applicants into one of the following categories: Highly Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified.

• Highly Qualified — Meets the minimum qualification requirements and has extensive skills and experience in most of the job-related competencies above.
• Well Qualified — Meets the minimum qualification requirements and has a moderate amount of skills and experience in most of the job-related competencies above.
• Qualified — Meets the minimum qualification requirements, but may have a limited amount of experience in several of the job-related competencies.

Each competency narrative must:

• Describe one specific and relevant example from your training or experience
• Be no more than 300 words
• Be fully supported by information contained in your resume

Applicant Example

[Competency 1 Title]

[Full description of the competency from the announcement requirements section, for example: Examines and analyzes different types of data to assess the organization or program, or specific issues within the organization or program, and make recommendations.]

Applicant Narrative (300-word maximum)

The assessments for this position are designed to evaluate your proficiency in the following competencies:

• Reference Services
• Information Management
• Technical Competence
• Planning and Evaluating

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

• Resume showing all relevant and related experience (two pages max). If selected, your resume will be used to determine your initial pay setting decision;
• Cover letter (optional);
• Most recent performance appraisal (optional);
• SF-50 showing you meet time in grade requirements, if applicable; 
• Transcripts (unofficial final copy with date degree was awarded; unofficial copy is accepted for application package, but an official copy is required prior to firm offer letter being extended;
• Schedule A, Persons with Disabilities: Schedule A letter from a physician, local, state or federal rehabilitation office citing eligibility under 5 CFR 213.3102 (u).
• If you wish to be considered under an applicable Veteran's authority such as VEOA, 30% or more disabled vet, etc., you must submit a copy of your Veteran's documentation including a DD-214 (member 4 copy preferred, however, the documentation provided must contain dates and character of service), along with a VA letter, SF-15, etc., if applicable. If you are a current active-duty service member, please submit an official statement of service from your command;
• Other Special Hiring Authorities: If you are claiming eligibility under a Special Hiring Authority, you must submit supporting documents to receive consideration.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): The ICTAP provides eligible displaced federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy.  To be well qualified, you must score 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at:
http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp.ICTAP

Candidates MUST submit:
1. A copy of their agency reduction-in-force notice;
2. A copy of your most recent Performance Rating;
3. A copy of your most recent SF-50 noting current or last position held, the grade level, and the duty location; and
4. A copy of your notice of proposed removal for declining a directed reassignment or transfer of function outside the local
commuting area or documentation showing you were separated as a result of RIF or declining a directed reassignment or
transfer of function outside the local commuting area.

Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP). Provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the CFTC with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If CFTC has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must rate equivalent to the Well Qualified or better category using established rating criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp.

The following links provide information on how you may be eligible for various hiring authorities:

1. VEOA

2. 30% or more disabled veteran

3. Individuals with disabilities

4. CTAP

5. ICTAP

6. Military Spouse

7. Special Authorities

8. Peace Corps & AmeriCorps VISTA

9. Former Federal Employees

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