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Archivist

Legislative Branch
Library of Congress
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The incumbent of this position is responsible for the organization and description of manuscript, multi-format, and other archival collections, which typically contain a wide range of unique and often unpublished materials, often numbering thousands of items, including handwritten or digital journals and correspondence, business ledgers, photographs and drawings, scrapbooks, and audiovisual recordings.

This position is located in the Recorded Sound Section, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division (MBRS), Collections and Services Directorate, Library Services, at the National Audiovisual Conservation Center (NAVCC), Packard Campus, Culpeper, Virginia.

The position description number for this position is 368554.

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.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
03/27/2018 to 04/17/2018
Salary
$81,548 to - $106,012 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Culpeper, VA
1 vacancy
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time - Flexitime
Service
Promotion potential
13
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Announcement number
VAR000373
Control number
494991000

This job is open to

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Duties

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Coordinates and performs a variety of archival activities for projects with large numbers of records and papers, including planning for the analysis, arrangement, and description of physical and born digital collections and assuming primary responsibility for the completion of archival projects. Demonstrates command of archival theory and practice and possesses a thorough knowledge of scholarly research and documentation practices. Performs critical analyses of the documentation systems and practices of the originating agency, organization, or individual whose materials are being processed. Undertakes extensive research in published sources to fill in significant gaps in the available information relating to the subject matter of the records to be archived. Evaluates the significance of archival material in its historical context and uses this evaluation in creating a coherent and accurate plan of arrangement and description. Exercises initiative on special assignments relating to areas of expertise, including on archival management and related fields of academic study.

Works with other staff in the organizational unit and the Library to improve archival techniques and knowledge of archival procedures. Coordinates with collection curators as necessary and with collection curators and staff in other divisions relating to the transmission, handling, description, and storage of division material housed off-site or transferred elsewhere. Recommends developments to strengthen the Library’s archival holdings, special collections, and electronic resources.

Analyzes, determines, and prioritizes preservation requirements. Surveys internal collections, identifying and inventorying groups of materials for preservation and physical security. Develops and proposes long-term strategies for the preservation of collections. Assesses collections and archives considered for acquisition by the Library, with regard to condition, contents, scope, storage history, and other aspects pertinent to the preservation and long-term survival of the material.

Plans and provides reference and research services for large bodies of valuable records and papers. Exercises a comprehensive knowledge of the subject matter and archival holdings in order to assist specialized researchers and other users of manuscript collections and archival records. In this capacity, substitutes on a temporary basis as necessary assisting readers in the division’s public Reading Room.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

No additional requirements to those listed above.

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 a variety of automated tools and technologies such as integrated library systems and web applications used to support archival functions.**

Knowledge of the principles, concepts, and techniques of professional library and/or archival work.

Knowledge of film, television, radio, and/or other entertainment-related subject areas pertaining to archival collections.**

Ability to perform preservation duties.

Ability to analyze and organize archival materials.**

Ability to communicate in writing.

Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.

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 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 certificate of disability must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and may be issued by a State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, a Disability Services or Career Services Office of the applicant's college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The date of certification must be within three (3) years of the vacancy closing date and must be submitted with your application. For more information contact the Library's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity Programs at 202-707-3960 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.

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.

For more information regarding eligibility requirements, please see the Library of Congress Merit Selection Plan, Section X.D, at: http://www.loc.gov/hr/employment/msp010909.pdf.

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.
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