Duties
Serves as a subject-matter specialist as assigned and called on to evaluate and select materials for the library’s collection in those assigned subject areas. Reviews all relevant sources of items for possible acquisition to develop collections in areas of subject and/or geographic responsibility.
Supports collections development, print and digital, aligning them with the needs of current researchers, and with collection policies intended to sustain the growth of a universal collection. Helps balance new acquisitions with responsible stewardship of existing collections while building a more diverse and inclusive record for future generations. Acquires material of underrepresented perspectives and voices in the Library’s collections to ensure diverse authorship, points of view, cultural identities, and other historical or cultural factors.
Determines the quality and usefulness of materials acquired from worldwide sources. Interprets the contents and advises on the organization and presentation of both current and retrospective collections in a multiplicity of formats. Plans and executes a strategy for storage, preservation and service.
Monitors the condition of collection materials to ensure adherence to established preservation standards and specifications. Develops comprehensive plans with conservation specialists, to provide appropriate treatment for deteriorating items and those requiring special attention.
Develops and monitors procedures for orienting users and explaining procedures and regulations governing use and handling of materials in the collection. Coordinates the acquisition of complex items not easily acquired, through the online acquisition process. Identifies processing and custodial requirements and to out-of-scope materials. Maintains liaison with other recommending officers and subject specialists to coordinate acquisition of materials within and across divisions.
Enables access, discovery, dissemination, and use of collections and resources, current and historical, analog and digital, for all users. Provides in-person and telephone reference, research, advisory, evaluative and instructional services in a reading room setting and through reference desk rotation to individuals and groups. Utilizes technologies such as Ask-a-Librarian, email, chat, social media, and video conferencing to provide research and reference services.
Responds to a full range of inquiries, including those in new or highly specialized fields of knowledge and those involving historical materials that are difficult to identify or locate.
Responds orally or in writing to inquiries related to assigned field of responsibility. Increases access to and convenience of online resources and services by preparing research guides, collection guides, and finding aids on specific topics of recognized research interest and demand using search strategies. Develops revision and updates for research materials.
The librarian serves as the division’s primary liaison with current and potential researchers and users by developing, promoting, facilitating, presenting and evaluating programs to meet the expressed and anticipated needs of researchers and other user communities. Engages with different audiences to achieve a variety of outcomes.
Facilitates book discussions, tours, workshops, orientation sessions, author talks, workshops, consultations, displays, tutorials, and other means of engagement. Develops content for traditional print outlets and social media platforms.
Collaborates with the Library’s programs for congressional outreach, visitor engagement, educational outreach, and exhibitions, and with other collections-based programs. Represents and attends workshops, conferences, seminars, or meetings in librarianship and other relevant fields for the purpose of professional development.
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 Israel, Judaism, and Jewish culture, history, and civilization.**
Ability to read, write, and communicate in Hebrew and English, and a highly desired knowledge of Yiddish.**
Ability to provide reference and research services.**
Ability to develop and manage library collections.**
Ability to use integrated library systems, applications, or other information technologies.
Ability to provide consultation or liaison duties.
Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing
Education
Education Requirements:
All librarians must meet the requirements for professional education in library science or possess equivalent experience and education.
- 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
- 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.
You must submit a legible copy of your college/university transcripts to your online application. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at the time of application. Official transcripts will be required if selected. Failure to submit the required legible documentation at the time of application will result in disqualification of your application.
Foreign Education – Education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed equivalent to conventional/accredited U.S. education programs to be acceptable for Federal employment. If your college/university is outside the U.S., your transcripts must be accompanied by a report from a credential evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE). Failure to submit a foreign education evaluation report will result in disqualification of your application.
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.