Duties
The Serial and Government Publications Division serves as a primary access point for a wide variety of serial collections and is responsible for the development and management of its custodial collections. Custodial collections include foreign and domestic newspapers, unbound periodicals, government publications (GPO Depository), intergovernmental publications and documents (United Nations), and other specialized serial collections. Clients include Congress, Foreign and US Government agencies, national and international academics and scholars, research and scientific institutions, the professional and business communities, and the general public.
Independently catalogs foreign and domestic newspapers, including those to be reformatted for preservation and access purposes, and other publications permanently held by the division. Offers solutions on how to describe bibliographic elements that are not covered by cataloging rules, or require interpretation. Searches entries in automated and manual catalogs. Establishes personal and corporate names and uniform titles for inclusion in the name authority file. Establishes and recommends subject headings for inclusion in the subject authority file. Creates and revises bibliographic records, authority records, and holding records, including through automated batch processes. Performs content designation of bibliographic and authority records.
Organizes and coordinates assignments that involve complex and novel or obscure problems and/or special requirements. Analyzes material to determine its relationship to the existing collections, for proper main entry, and the need for added entries. Analyzes material to determine subject content. Identifies areas for improvement in established methods, including standards for cataloging and metadata creation. Performs detailed analyses and evaluations of cataloging and metadata requests. Prepares reports, analyses, and other documents related to information and research using a wide range of tools. Assists in the preparation of memoranda, guidelines and correspondence in response to inquiries regarding application of cataloging rules and metadata standards, and subject heading and classification matters.
Provides comprehensive reference, research, advisory, evaluative and instructional services to individuals and groups. Responds to a full range of complex or difficult inquiries, including those in new or highly specialized fields of knowledge and those related to newspapers, periodicals and government publications. Solves complex reference problems or problems that involve the integration of traditional reference functions into a digital environment. Provides reference, advisory, and instructional service to Library users, staff, and partners. Interprets and evaluates information found in a variety of databases, newspapers, serials and government publications, and interprets and evaluates information pertinent to assigned projects.
Establishes and maintains professional relationships with librarians and other specialists to share resources and information as well as to coordinate workflow within the library. As a consultant, recommends changes in procedures, workflows, and tools. Recommends solutions or resolves important issues when precedents do not apply. Consults with the Chief, section head and cataloging policy staff to recommend changes and additions in descriptive and subject cataloging rules. Offers suggestions and advice on operational and technical problems. Assists in planning and implementing the following activities: cataloging workflow procedures, cataloging priorities, goal setting and strategies for meeting production goals. Assists others inside and outside the Library with language, subject and cataloging problems. Explains technical information to individuals or groups, such as other participants in the National Digital Newspaper Program (NDNP). Conducts tours, workshops, and orientation sessions.
The staff member develops plans to implement training goals and to assure achievement of learning objectives. Provides initial intensive instruction and ongoing training of staff, reviewing and revising the work as needed. Recommends additional aids to meet the needs of the training program. Resolves problems that arise in the training program. Adapts current methodologies and guidelines to accommodate unique training situations.
Performs various other related duties as assigned.
The incumbent for this position will work a Flexitime schedule.
This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.
The position description number for this position is 112852.
Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement.
The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area.
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 the principles, concepts, tools and techniques of library science.**
Ability to organize and catalog foreign and domestic newspapers and other continuing resources.**
Ability to provide training and technical guidance.
Knowledge of integrated library systems, library applications, and other information technologies.
Ability to provide reference and research services.
Ability to provide consultation or liaison services.
Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
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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