Duties
Acquires a variety of materials in all cartographic formats across multiple formats, and/or languages and geographic regions. Assures that purchase recommendations are represented by correct bibliographic identification. Assures that materials ordered or received are new to the collections. Determines availability of funds and refers problems to Chief and senior staff. Recommends appropriate sources and methods of acquisition of recommended items to the Chief. As directed, contacts dealers, subscription agents, vendors, overseas offices, domestic and foreign government agencies, exchange partners, and/or donors, to obtain basic information. Performs research in on-site reference sources, online databases and websites, and the collections of the Library.
Uses standard methods, techniques, concepts, and principles to perform assignments related to collection development support, with review by supervisor, senior staff and/or recommending officers. Assists in review of incoming materials and digital file deliveries to select items appropriate for the collections, in accordance with established guidelines. Assists in examination of recommendations for acquisition to identify processing and custodial requirements, and to ensure conformity with established guidelines. Participates in formulating plans for changes and improvements to collection development policies.
Maintains personal contacts and cooperative work relationships to support the collection development and acquisitions process. Consults senior specialists and supervisors concerning all questions arising from the workflow. As directed, consults recommending officers concerning collection needs and interpretation of collection development policy. As directed, works with vendors to solve routine acquisitions problems. Offers suggestions to senior staff/supervisors and Chief on operational and technical problems. Provides support for exhibits and events that feature new and recently acquired acquisitions. Assists others inside and outside the Library with routine problems concerning acquisition of materials.
Provides routine reference services from client interviews in various forms, utilizing the library's collections and /or databases using standard search procedures. Responds in written or non-written form to inquiries. Performs extensive reference searches for materials that cannot be located. Seeks assistance for locating materials that are not readily accessible to patrons, with the specialized collections of the Geography and Map Division.
As assigned, assists in one-on-one training of library technicians, temporary staff or interns in the proper methods of searching, initial bibliographic control, and acquisition procedures. Assists in the implementation of prepared training courses and materials.
Performs other duties as assigned.
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.
Ability to identify, coordinate, and recommend items for acquisition for a major library.**
Ability to Develop Library Collections.**
Ability to provide consultation or liaison services.**
Ability to provide reference services.
Ability to train, mentor, and support librarians.
Ability to communicate in writing.
Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Benefits
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 to Apply
Please carefully follow all instructions under the How to Apply tab to ensure you are considered for the position.
You are required to apply online for this announcement. We are unable to accept mailed or emailed documents. You must complete the entire application process, including submission of all documents BEFORE this announcement closes. To do so, complete the following steps.
Step 1: If you do not already have one, create a resume on USAJOBS. Although you must enter your Social Security Number for USAJOBS, this information will not be provided to the Library of Congress.
Step 2: Review the Job Announcement. We recommend you go to the end of the Qualification and Evaluation section of the job announcement to preview the online questions that you will answer in Step 4. You may wish to customize your USAJOBS resume to ensure that it supports your responses to these questions.
Step 3: Click on the "APPLY ONLINE" button to the right of this announcement. Follow USAJOBS' instructions to access your account and submit your resume. You will be redirected to the Hiring Management website to complete the application process. If this is your first time in Hiring Management, you will be asked to answer questions related to your eligibility for Federal employment. You will be able to update this information and save it to our account for future announcements.
Step 4: Once you have completed the eligibility questions, you will be taken directly to the vacancy application questions. Answer all questions honestly and thoroughly.
Step 5: Hiring Management offers three options that will electronically attach your documentation to your online application once you finish answering the questions in the job announcement.
(1) You may select a document that you have already uploaded to USAJOBS for a previous announcement.
(2) You may electronically upload a document directly from your computer to your application. Be certain to review your complete application for confirmation of the document uploaded and click on "Finished" to be returned to USAJOBS.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you have multiple documents of the same kind, e.g. 2 undergraduate transcripts from different schools or 2 SF-50s, etc., be sure that they are all in the same file on your computer or in your USAJOBS profile before uploading them. If you try uploading them individually, only the last one sent will be visible in our system. If you have any questions about this information, please contact the person on this announcement BEFORE the closing date.
Step 6: Click on "Finish" after you have completed your application. Once you have submitted your application, you can check your status online through your Hiring Management or MY USAJOBS account. Your complete online application and any required supplemental documentation (e.g., SF-50, etc.) must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of the announcement. It is your responsibility to ensure that all documents are received on time and that the materials are readable. Failure to do so will result in your application being excluded from consideration for this announcement.
If you are experiencing any technical difficulty with the online process, you MUST CONTACT THE POINT OF CONTACT FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE. For all technical issues please contact jobhelp@loc.gov , no later than 4:30pm EST of the Closing Date. REQUESTS FOR EXTENSIONS WILL NOT BE GRANTED.
Next steps
Please review our evaluation process under Evaluation. You may check the status of your application for this position at any time by logging onto the USAJOBS "My USAJOBS" tab and clicking on "My Applications." You will receive final notification via e-mail when the vacancy has been filled.