Summary
The position serves as a Library Technician in the General & International Collections Directorate for Researcher And Collections Services.
Position description number 138328.
Indefinite, Not to Exceed 4 years appointment.
Salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area.
This position will work a flextime work schedule.
This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
Anyone may apply - By law, employment at most U.S. Government agencies, including the Library of Congress, is limited to U.S. citizens. However, non-citizens may be hired, provided that other legal requirements are met and the Library determines there are no qualified U.S. citizens available for the position.
Duties
Resolves complex collections maintenance issues, while responding to the full range of issues and/or problems. Develops plans to expedite sorting, arranging, and shelving of incoming or returned book, periodical, or microform receipts in the African and Middle Eastern Division (AMED). Demonstrates initiative in recognizing and solving problems, inconsistencies, and errors in piece identification and labeling before such items reach final destination. Independently recognizes when segments of the collection require shelving attention or shelfreading to accommodate incoming materials, based on the ability to identify/anticipate complex publishing patterns.
Makes necessary arrangements to rearrange or shift items in accordance with available space or participates in planned moves to achieve this purpose. Maintains current and comprehensive sets of materials, along with their associated advance sheets. supplementary pamphlets or pocket parts. Identifies and processes superseded volumes which have been revised, recompiled or replaced by later dated volumes or editions.
Files appropriate loose-leaf pages in their proper location within binders and removes outdated pages. Identifies and assists in the resolution of problems arising in filing instructions as well as addressing discrepancies related to the integrity of sets. Assists in developing work methods to expedite loose-leaf filing ensuring their currency for reference and research purposes. Performs primary collection security responsibilities, including controlling stack access and verifying that material taken from the collection is properly charged. Identifies, removes, de-accessions, and assembles duplicate and extraneous material for disposition or transfer to the appropriate library division or external repository.
Observes and arranges for the secure handling of materials. Assists readers with the use of the library's resources including the use of the library's bibliographic reference sources. Communicates with a wide variety of patrons with non-routine questions on borrowing privileges and the location of material and other specialized questions specific to the material. Exercises good public relations practices in soliciting information. Demonstrates an understanding of the demands and attitudes of various interested and affected groups who come to the AMED. Determines the best way of formulating requests and utilizes good judgment in the selection and presentation of the information.
Locates items not readily available on shelf in the AMED stacks. Completes special searches in all major and special catalogs for general and special collections of all types of materials, including hard-to-find items. Checks shelf to locate material. Checks to determine if item has been charged outside the library or to a location within the library. Verifies entry in the shelflist and/or Serial Record and consults the full range of technical library science tools, reference and bibliographic sources of all types, and the entire spectrum of printed and computerized card catalogs and files to determine accuracy of information provided by requester.
Prepares mailing notices to readers and others who have requested a special search on the availability of the material requested. Upon request will consult other sources to determine locations for items not located the library. Contacts requester to ascertain additional information or help as required. Repeatedly searches for materials not yet located. When an item is found, forwards a report to the requester and the item is placed on reserve in AMED.
Compiles statistical reports of cleared and pending requests, or other activities, and distributes them to the appropriate contacts. Works with search requests that contain inaccurate or incomplete information; performs bibliographic searches; chooses appropriate databases for requested materials. Uses a computerized tracking system to input, search, and manipulate data related to the assignment. Independently identifies and resolves malfunctions in hardware or software. Integrates new procedures into the work process.
Reviews operating procedures, library policies, and standard reference services to assist a wide variety of clients. Independently provides specialized reference services to a large, varied clientele. Refers patrons to language and subject specialists as needed. Obtains additional information through oral or written contacts. Adapts procedures, decides approaches, and recommends solutions to specific problems. Analyzes the results of applying available guidelines and recommends changes. Identifies and obtains typically hard-to-find documents, technical reports, and/or data based on written, telephone, or face-to-face requests regarding AMED collections. Handles requests that contain inaccurate or incomplete information.
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 maintain material in library collections.**
Ability to interact collaboratively with others.
Ability to use an integrated library system (ILS), as well as computerized search tools, databases, and other computer applications.
Ability to support library operations within a section or unit.**
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 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.
You may preview questions for this vacancy.
Required Documents
Current or former federal employees must submit their most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent).
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. The program does not accept certification from health care providers. 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.
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.