Duties
The position serves as a Quality Assurance Specialist and is located in the Content Quality Assurance Section, Collections Division, National Library Services for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) within the Library Collections and Services Group (LCSG) at the Library of Congress (LC).
The incumbent of this position works under the general supervision of the Head, Content Quality Assurance Section, and specializes in quality assurance for braille products and services. Interprets and applies braille rules and codes, technical requirements and human factor elements required for controlled production of embossed and electronic braille books and periodicals. Also serves as quality assurance monitor for the various contracts with commercial companies, network libraries and multistate centers.
Interprets and coordinates standards for the production of electronic braille books and periodicals provided through the NLS program and participates in planning and development of standards. Evaluates the quality of items manufactured using production methods such as automated braille transcription, direct braille input, optical character recognition, and production from eBook files. Audits embossed and electronic braille control copies to ensure proper conformance with braille codes, proper technical specifications, and format.
Audits braille masters and control copies for adherence to NLS standards and specifications. Certifies the quality acceptability of electronic braille materials produced for the NLS program. Audits electronic braille files to ensure proper conformance with braille codes, proper technical specifications, and format. Prepares written critiques of the results of each inspection, communicates results to contractors via established NLS communication systems. Analyzes and prepares reports on the merits of braille materials produced on new systems.
As a staff specialist, administers and coordinates a comprehensive computer software quality assurance program or programs for the braille quality assurance area. Applies electronic data processing techniques and equipment to tabulate and analyze quality assurance statistics related to reliability of each source of braille material.
Implements and coordinates standards for the production of embossed braille books and periodicals provided through the NLS program and participates in planning and development of standards. Evaluates the quality of items manufactured using production methods such as automated braille transcription, direct braille input, optical character recognition, and production from eBook files. Analyzes the merits of braille materials produced on new systems. Prepares reports of results and makes recommendations to section head and other NLS staff for use in producing NLS materials.
Evaluates tactile graphics according to standards and specifications established by NLS and braille authorities with an understanding of the subject and reading level of the surrounding material. Evaluates descriptions of illustrations with an understanding of the style, subject and reading level of the surrounding material.
Provides guidance to contractors, network libraries and multistate center personnel related to the development of quality assurance programs and procedures. Administers programs to evaluate the precision and accuracy of incoming materials. Applies methods and procedures for inspection, testing, and evaluation of braille materials and recommends changes as needed.
Assesses contractor facilities and equipment, individual transcribers, proofreaders, and binderies’ ability to produce braille material for the NLS program. Recommends acceptance or rejection of contractors’ submissions. Consults and advises with appropriate personnel on corrective action to meet NLS standards and specifications for braille material. Conducts on-site inspections at contractors’ facilities and directs their efforts to achieve the quality standards set forth by NLS.
May represent NLS at conferences of organizations, committees, and agencies concerned with the development and utilization of quality assurance procedures for braille reading materials. Advises other NLS sections and divisions on matters affecting quality assurance. May serve as a technical consultant for braille production. May participate in assessments to support internal and external Library or NLS activities.
Performs other duties related to the position, as required.
The position description number for this position is 433615.
The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area.
The incumbent of this position will work a flextime work schedule.
This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.
Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
This permanent position is eligible for 100% distant telework/remote. The salary range advertised reflects salary for the Washington DC Locality Area. The actual salary range for candidates outside of the Washington DC Locality Area may differ.
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 perform quality control inspections of digital and physical braille materials. **
Ability to evaluate quality assurance processes and procedures.
Knowledge of braille product quality assurance principles, concepts, techniques, and methods.
Knowledge of braille and systems that create braille reading materials. **
Ability to communicate effectively in writing and present information orally.
Knowledge of the subject area of braille. **
Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.
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.