Senior Digital Collection Specialist Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. VAR002953 Department Library of Congress
Salary $120,579.00 to $156,755.00 Grade 13 to 13
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 2/14/2025 Close Date 2/28/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

This position is located in the Web Archiving Section, Digital Collections Management and Services Division, Digital Services Directorate, Discovery and Preservation Services.

The position description number for this position is 349876.

The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metro area.

The incumbent of 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

AGENCY EMPLOYEES - CONSIDERATION UNDER THIS VACANCY IS LIMITED TO THE STAFF OF THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, TEMPORARY NOT-TO-EXCEED (NTE) AND INDEFINITE NOT-TO-EXCEED (NTE) EMPLOYEES ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY. (EMPLOYEES MUST MAINTAIN THEIR ELIGIBILITY AT THE TIME OF SELECTION.)

Duties

The Web Archiving Section (WA) within the Digital Collections Management and Services Division (DCMS) is seeking a Senior Digital Collection Specialist to join its dedicated, engaged, and innovative staff. WA manages the Library’s Web Archiving Program, and works alongside staff that work on eBooks, e-Journals, digitized general collections materials, bulk datasets, and more. DCMS maintains custodial responsibility for general digital collections materials, facilitating born digital acquisitions, conducting research and testing on digital content management methods and practices, and developing policy and procedures for the management of digital content. Our staff liaise and collaborate with a variety of staff across the Library. To learn more about the Web Archiving Program, read about our work on The Signal blog.

Coordinates, determines, and manages projects for digital collections. Serves as a technical expert in the planning, management, and execution of digital collections workflow/lifecycle management projects. Acts as an expert on special projects, and advises management on issues. Plans, tests, and executes projects that involve acquiring, describing, storing, and providing access to digital content for which the section has curatorial responsibility. Serves as a project leader for content transfers and processing from varied acquisitions sources including, but not limited to, content on tangible media, web archived content, and data sets. Plans for new digital acquisition streams, and is responsible for their implementation using new or existing workflows. Identifies opportunities for improving the performance of existing streams and workflows, and implements new tools and processes as appropriate. Ensures that assigned projects are completed on time and achieve the desired objectives.

Within the broad framework of program strategies and goals, identifies or contributes to the development of innovative tools and processes for the management and preservation of digital collections. Serves as a senior technical expert, trouble-shooter, and consultant for digital content management work carried out by the section. Develops workflows for new content streams. Works with division staff to define, develop, implement and monitor plans for the lifecycle management of digital content that is the responsibility of the section. Works with division staff and content providers to define and test efficient data movement procedures, establish effective and robust operational processes, and coordinate among stakeholders. Work is carried out in an environment of continual change, where digital content types and content sources are rapidly expanding, and the Library's technical environment, as well as supporting tools and services, are in a state of flux. 

Using knowledge of digital libraries and technical solutions, provides expert analysis and advice and develops solutions to solve issues and problems associated with digital lifecycle management: Identifies and applies new analytical techniques to address situations that are unique or not previously encountered. Researches new trends and developments in library and information technologies, particularly as they apply to digital content preservation and lifecycle management.

Based on digital library trends, operations, and changing program requirements, identifies relevant issues to management. Collects, analyzes, and evaluates input from stakeholders and makes authoritative recommendations to management.

Provides expert guidance in the resolution of complex problems or issues impacting digital lifecycle programs. Analyzes and participates in the development of appropriate guidelines, standards, and mechanisms for digital content management.

Serves as an expert advisor on digital content management practices. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with staff at multiple levels throughout the service unit and across the Library, as well as with those in the larger digital content management community. Coordinates digital workflow activities with specialists in curatorial units throughout Library Collections and Services Group, the Law Library, and the Office of Chief Information Officer.

Provides advice and training to more junior members of the section, and to staff in stakeholder and curatorial units. Communicates orally and in writing to both technical and non-technical staff concerning digital collections lifecycle management, and contributes to shared information resources. Works collaboratively inside and outside the project team and program area to facilitate and encourage the development and implementation of institution-wide and national best practices and standards for digital content management. 

Requirements

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 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 library digital content management principles and practices.**

Ability to perform project development and management duties.**

Ability to research and analyze technical issues. 

Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

Ability to provide consultation or liaison duties.

Ability to present information other than in writing.

Education

There are no education requirements for this posting.

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 the minimum step of the grade.

The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities who meet eligibility requirements are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicants must submit a complete application package that is received by the closing date of this announcement.

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 EEO office 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.

Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation.

The Library reserves the right to fill a lesser or greater number of vacancies indicated during the life of this vacancy announcement.

Initial appointments, permanent or indefinite, to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period. 

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.
 

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 and Diversity Programs 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.

Agency contact information

Customer Service Center
Address
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
101 Independence Ave. SE
Washington, District of Columbia 20540
United States

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.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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