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ARCHIVIST

National Archives and Records Administration
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Whether you are new to the Federal Government or an experienced professional seeking a career change, you can make history at the National Archives. Our dedicated staff works across a variety of career fields to safeguard the records of the Federal Government - more than 10 billion of them.

In this position, you will serve as the audio visual Archivist with the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum, located in Independence, MO. The incumbent is responsible for planning, performing, and monitoring all archival functions in all media, establishing work priorities, and ensuring that work is completed in compliance with NARA's policies, standards, and procedures. Also, the incumbent must have an in-depth understanding of the history, conservation, preservation, restoration, access, and curation of audiovisual formats (i.e., film, magnetic video and audiotape, optical media, digital media).

Visit our Employee Gallery at www.archives.gov/careers to see the kinds of dynamic projects our staff are undertaking. If you want a career where you can see the difference your work makes, then join the National Archives!

For more information, visit: http://www.trumanlibrary.org

NOTE: This position is being advertised concurrently under Delegating Examining Unit procedures. If you wish to be considered under competitive procedures, or if you do not meet the area of consideration for this announcement, you may also apply to Job Announcement number JD10067123CMD. Open: 12/13/2017 Close: 12/19/2017

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
12/13/2017 to 12/27/2017
Salary
$72,500 to - $94,253 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Independence, MO
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Promotion potential
12
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Announcement number
JD10067124CMM
Control number
486573200

This job is open to

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Duties

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As an AUDIOVISUAL ARCHIVIST, GS-1420-12, your typical work assignments may include the following:

  • Works independently in identifying, arranging and reviewing donated AV materials, and makes withdrawals or redactions, as necessary, in consultation with the Supervisory Archivist.
  • Plans and directs the arrangement of Audio Visual (AV) materials from presidential papers and other donated materials and from federal records, including those that are totally disarranged, misfiled, for which the provenance is unclear, or in need of special preservation and/or temperature controlled storage. Assists with the implementation of the Holdings Management System (HMS) for AV materials.
  • Assesses researcher and archival needs and determines priorities for developing finding aids for AV materials. Establishes standards for description of withdrawn AV materials and monitors compliance. Conducts or oversees research necessary for accurate and complete descriptions, and prepares appropriate introductory narratives and other archival finding aids, as well as digitized AV materials themselves, for posting in the NARA Catalog, the Truman Library website and in other appropriate research platforms. Explores copyright issues concerning films and video prior to placing online. Works with appropriate NARA units in developing formats for electronic finding aids, databases, and web pages for use by researchers.
  • Applies preservation techniques and implements strategies for still pictures, motion pictures, video and audio tape materials. Identifies preservation needs and researches new approaches to preservation problems. Conducts and oversees the AV preservation program within the Library to include cold and temperature control storage, digital storage, reformatting techniques, and administration of AV preservation funds. Creates and updates inventories that list films sent off site for cold storage and digital preservation by NARA and vendors.
  • Provides reference service in response to regular and complex e-mail, phone, and written requests for information primarily regarding the Library's motion picture/video collection, photographic/still pictures, and audio tapes. Monitors the audiovisual and main Research Rooms and provides orientation and assistance for on-site researchers, determining what material is available for research and explaining research rules. Assists researchers in the use of finding aids and other indices. Works with researchers and performs searches for White House, congressional, and agency requests for information and documents. For complex AV reference requests, serves as the Library's primary authority for assisting and responding to or completing the assignment.
  • Conducts occasional tours of the Library and explains the work of the Library for professional and civic groups, undergraduate and graduate classes, and the general public; works with local colleges and universities in providing training and class instruction to undergraduate and graduate classes on historical research methodologies and the use of primary source AV materials; represents the Library at professional archival meetings and in dealings with the national media to include printed, television, and documentary film crews and personalities with interest in the AV and photographic holdings of the Library; provides information and assistance to other archival institutions and professionals on the preservation and handling of AV materials; serves within the library system and NARA as a resource for information about archival issues such as digitization for public access and preservation; assists the museum staff with the planning and preparation of museum temporary and permanent exhibits involving AV materials from the Library's holdings; assists with information regarding AV holdings for exhibits in other presidential libraries and outside institutions, as well as with planning and preparing Library and NARA online exhibits.
  • Assists with performance targets and participates in examining and evaluating work processes; oversees the work of interns and volunteers; develops and maintains electronic databases and inventories for tracking reference requests and preservation work; responds to internal NARA requests for information; assists the Director, Deputy Director, and Supervisory Archivist on budget issues relating to AV functions, and on special projects as needed; recommends and reviews acquisition programs for AV donated historical materials; and assists in the solicitation, accessioning, and deeding process for donated AV materials.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • Background and/or Security Investigation required.
  • More than 1 job may be filled if additional vacancies occur within 90 days.

Bargaining Unit: This position is in the AFGE bargaining unit.

Qualifications within 30 Days: You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement. Please note that qualification claims will be subject to verification.

Status candidates must meet time-in-grade requirements (52 weeks at the next lower grade level).

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:
You must have a bachelor's degree in archival science or a bachelor's degree with a major that included 18 semester hours in archival science, history and/or in political science or government, and 12 semester hours in one or any combination of the following: archival science, history, American civilization, economics, political science, public administration, or government.

OR

You must have a combination of education and experience - at least 30 semester hours that include courses as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to the above basic requirements, you must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower level in archival science, or in a directly related field of work such as history, that involved the collection, appraisal, analysis, or synthesis of information having historical or archival values. The following are examples of experience that may be accepted as meeting the experience requirements: (1) experience as an archivist in Federal, State, religious institution, business, or other archives, or in manuscript depositories; and (2) experience of an archival nature that involved research in archival science, or in a directly related field such as history, government, economics, political science, international relations, or international law.

NOTE: You must submit copies (Unofficial copies are sufficient) of all your college transcripts at time of application to verify the education requirements are met. Graduates of foreign schools must have their academic credentials evaluated through a recognized credential evaluating institution.

Please refer to the Office of Personnel Management's, Operating Manual: Qualifications Standards for General Schedule Positions for further information: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1400/archivist-series-1420/ and http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/Standards/group-stds/gs-admin.asp

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion procedures, you must be a preference eligible or a Veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions.
Career Transition Assistance Programs: These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information, visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp.

Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities: For more information on noncompetitive appointment authority eligibility requirements:
- Persons with Disabilities-Schedule A
- Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans
- Special Hiring Authority for Certain Military Spouses
- Other Special Appointment Authorities

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the announcement has closed, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application package, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this position.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

    • Applies Knowledge of Information Technology
    • Communication - Presentation
    • Conducts Archival Processing
    • Customer Service
    • Manages Projects
    • Performs Reference Services
    • Utilizes Computer Technology
Based on the information you provided in your application package, we will assign you to one of three quality categories - Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Those applicants who are determined to be best qualified will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration.

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