Duties
The incumbent is a writer and editor who composes speeches, presentations, testimony, and publicly released written materials regarding copyright and the Copyright Office, primarily on behalf of the Register of Copyrights. The incumbent researches and analyzes topics as necessary to develop complete and accurate statements and works closely with Copyright Office senior management and subject-matter experts to gather information and verify facts and policies included in written materials. The incumbent consolidates diverse submissions into a unified written product for the intended audience. The work requires a delicate balance between maintaining accuracy and adjusting the level of writing to the understanding of different audiences.
Working closely with the Register, senior-level managers, and subject-matter experts, the incumbent manages written content for the Register of Copyrights for letters, publications, testimony, speeches, and other materials. Collaborates with the Register and the senior management team on strategies for communicating the Copyright Office’s mission, policies, programs, objectives, and priorities.
Collaborates with senior staff and other subject-matter experts to convey information regarding copyright and Office activities and practices to diverse audiences. Interviews external subject-matter experts as needed. Develops and synthesizes final submissions based on materials obtained through research, including material submitted by others that the writer verifies. Ensures the language level is appropriate for the stated audience and the necessary background information is provided.
Initiates and maintains relationships with subject-matter experts to prepare written materials on behalf of the Copyright Office. Exercises substantial judgment in developing, checking, verifying, and synthesizing information, recommending significant changes in the organization, presentation, and factual coverage as needed. Considers a variety of approaches and comments and provides persuasive reasons regarding whether to incorporate approaches and comments. Determines the accuracy and adequacy of written materials, verifying that conclusions are based on facts presented. Explains editorial standards adhered to in the preparation of products to subject-matter experts.
For exhibits or special programs, writes and edits complex materials designed to interpret a variety of types of information. Develops, collates, and synthesizes final copy. Frequently, the submitted material is in outline form or written for publication and requires extensive rewriting, reorganizing, and editing. Ensures the language level is appropriate for stated audience and that background information is provided so the audience will understand new or difficult ideas and concepts. Ensures all text and labeling coordinates with the visual presentation. Recommends addition of objects or graphic elements such as maps or charts to enhance understanding of exhibit objects. Determines the accuracy and adequacy of written materials, verifying that conclusions are based on facts presented.
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.
Ability to communicate in writing.**
Ability to edit materials for publication.**
Ability to interact collaboratively with others.
Ability to research, analyze, interpret, and convey information.
Ability to use information technology to perform writing duties.
Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.
Education
There are no education requirements for this position.
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.
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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.
For more information regarding eligibility requirements, please see the Library of Congress Merit Selection Plan, Section X.D, at: https://loc.gov/static/portals/careers/documents/LCD-9-420.1%E2%80%93Merit-Selection-Plan_LC-Rules-and-Regulations.pdf.
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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.