Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results

Preservation Specialist (Audio)

Legislative Branch
Library of Congress
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The Audio Preservation Specialist position is located in the Audio Preservation Laboratory at the National Audio-Visual Conservation Center (NAVCC) and reports directly to the Audio Laboratory Supervisor. The incumbent works with audiovisual performances fixed or recorded in various legacy media. The position involves handling of both the legacy media and the legacy equipment on which the works are played.

Overview

Help
Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
04/10/2019 to 04/25/2019
Salary
$83,398 to - $108,422 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12
Location
Culpeper, VA
1 vacancy
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent - Position
Work schedule
Full-time - Flexitime.
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
12
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Announcement number
VAR000857
Control number
530172800

This job is open to

Help

Clarification from the agency

Anyone may apply - By law, employment at most U.S. Government agencies, including the Library of Congress, is limited to U.S. citizens. However, non-citizens may be hired, provided that other legal requirements are met and the Library determines there are no qualified U.S. citizens available for the position.

Duties

Help

This position is located in the Recording Laboratory, Preservation Services Section, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division, Collections and Services Directorate, Library Services at the National Audio-Visual Conservation Center (NAVCC), Packard Campus, Culpeper, VA.

The position description number for this position is 137311.

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.

Creates digital files of selected materials and performs post-processing functions consistent with preservation directives with a keen sense of awareness to archival sensitivities. Performs digital preservation on Recorded Sound Collection materials encompassing the earliest historical analog formats through modern digital media. Must have a trained ear for optimal extraction of audio signals from both analog and digital recording formats. Knowledge of digital audio file formats and software tools is necessary to ensure that bit accurate copies and transfers are accomplished routinely. An understanding of database and cataloging standards for the creation and modification of metadata associated with the collections to be preserved. Generates master Broadcast. WAV files at 24-bit/96 kHz and higher from analog and digital source materials. Ensures audio content media is digitized to a master file at native bit depth resolution and sample rate, with no up-sampling or other modifications. Additionally, creates high resolution access browse files plus tape and disc duplications as directed.

Transfer work produce’s digital files and/or physical media reproductions which may result in commercial works for publication, issue, or sale purposes by the Library or its clients.

Surveys internal collections, identifying and inventorying groups of materials. Analyzes, determines, and prioritizes preservation requirements. 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.

The incumbent assists the Audio Laboratory Supervisor, an expert in the operation of a full range of complex and sophisticated professional audio broadcast equipment. Interconnects various units to fulfill the unique needs of each production. Tunes, adjusts, monitors, analyzes the performance of, and makes appropriate adjustments to the equipment while the system is operating during a preservation transfer. Determines from meters, and audio monitors which, if any, adjustments must be made to assure the highest technical quality of each preservation project.

Requirements

Help

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.

Skill in preserving sound recordings.**

Skill in audio recording and post-production project workflows.**

Skill in operating professional recording equipment to preserve current and obsolete audio formats.**

Ability to apply knowledge of integrated systems, applications, and other information technologies related to audio preservation to analyze technical and operational problems and develop solutions.

Knowledge of analog and digital audio technology.

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 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/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.
 
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.
 

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: http://www.loc.gov/hr/employment/msp010909.pdf.


To preview questions please click here.

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.