1. Uses specialized knowledge and skills in the application of archival principles, methods and techniques in the performance of collections management function which include assisting in appraisals, transfers and accessions of manuscripts, photographic and special collections; arranges, describes, and preserves archival collections.

2. Creates on-line access tools to facilitate remote user access to complete series of records or selected items-level records within series.

3. Develops finding aids for archival records according to standards set forth by the Society of American Archivists.

4. Researches archival and museum records, searches published and unpublished sources to complete processing, establish provenance, and answer public inquiries, etc.

5. Schedules and receives research visitors, answers letters, faxes, electronic and phone requests.

Conditions of employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Investigation
• May need to complete a Probationary Period
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.

Qualification requirements must be met within 30 days of the job announcement closing date.

Qualifications

ATTENTION: Due to the large number of qualified applicants for positions of this type, this job announcement will close at 11:59 pm Eastern Time on either:  (A) The closing date listed above or (B) The date that 100 applications are received; whichever occurs first.  If the announcement closes on the date that 100 applications are received, all applications submitted by 11:59pm that day will be given consideration, including those in excess of 100.  We encourage applicants to apply as soon as possible to ensure their applications are submitted before the announcement closes.  We will not consider applications which are late due to the announcement closing once the above number of applications is reached.

You MUST meet these Basic Education Requirements:

A. Bachelor's degree in archival science or bachelor's degree with a major that includes 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

B. Combination of education and experience - at least 30 semester hours that included courses as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to Basic Education Requirements above, you must have following:

Specialized Experience Requirement: You qualify for this position if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-7 level in the Federal Service or comparable pay band system. For this position specialized experience is defined as experience processing and preserving manuscripts or special historical materials, providing reference services in an archives or similar setting; and preparing finding aids, box inventories or MARC (Machine Readable) catalog records. 

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.

Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be considered to determine the total number of years and months of experience. Be sure to note the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week.

Or Education: Two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent degree related to the position may be substituted to meet the experience requirements.

Or a Combination: Education and experience may be combined to meet the basic qualifications. For a full explanation of this option please see the Qualification Standards. Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are qualifying by education and/or you have education completed in a foreign college/university described above, it is your responsibility to provide transcripts and proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study. For instructions on where to fax these documents, see the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your application will be evaluated first for the basic qualifications described above. The applications that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria:

1. Knowledge of archival theory, techniques and practice. 

2. Knowledge of the physical formats and characteristics of manuscript and pictorial material and archival preservation techniques and procedures. 

3. Skill in arrangement, description and preservation of manuscript and special collections.

4. Knowledge of Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS) and Encoded Archival Description (EAD) markup language for creation of online finding aids. 

5. Knowledge of the Machine Readable Cataloging (MARC) format, automated information systems, including bibliographic databases.

6. Experience providing public reference services or other research support in archives, museum or specialized research facility.

Applicants who meet or exceed minimum qualifications will be assigned to one of three category groups based on job-related criteria: Best Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and excels in most of the job related competencies above. Better Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and satisfies most of the job related competencies above. Good Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements, but does not satisfy most of the job related competencies above to a substantive degree. This category rating process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three", but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. A selecting official may make selections from the highest quality category (Best Category) provided no preference eligible in that category is passed over to select a non-preference eligible in that category unless the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 3317(b) or 3318(b) are satisfied. Preference eligibles who meet minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or higher. Applicants who have not submitted a resume in the USAjobs system and/or have not answered all of the vacancy questions will not be considered for this position.

Important Note: Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the occupational questionnaire or other assessment tool for consistency. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is supported by your resume, you will be assigned a rating commensurate to your described experience. Your resume should provide sufficient information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed.