The Congressional Research Service (CRS) American Law Division is accepting applications under its 2021 Graduate Recruit Program for a Research Librarian. These positions will be filled at the GS-09 level (see "Duties" below).
Summary
The Congressional Research Service (CRS) American Law Division is accepting applications under its 2021 Graduate Recruit Program for a Research Librarian. These positions will be filled at the GS-09 level (see "Duties" below).
Temporary - Position will be filled under the Congressional Research Service Graduate Recruit Program. Full-time, temporary with the expectation of subsequent conversion to permanent.
Graduate students and Library of Congress employees who meet all of the following eligibility requirements:
1.U.S. Citizenship
2.Current enrollment in or anticipated graduation from an appropriate, accredited advanced degree program. (Library employees may already possess a graduate degree).
3.General education requirements for a GS-9 appointment (see “Qualifications Required” below).
Initial appointments under the Graduate Recruit Program will be made for a period up to 120 days. Initial appointments are expected to convert to permanent, contingent upon the participant’s successful performance, completion of all degree requirements, and availability of funding. Those students who return to school to complete their advanced degree program may be eligible for a permanent position once they obtain their degree.
About CRS
CRS works exclusively for the United States Congress, providing policy and legal analysis to committees and Members of both the House and Senate, regardless of party affiliation. As shared staff to congressional committees and Members of Congress, CRS experts assist at every stage of the legislative process—from the early considerations that precede bill drafting, through committee hearings and floor debate, to the oversight of enacted laws and various agency activities.
CRS is well known for analysis that is authoritative, confidential, objective, and nonpartisan. Its highest priority is to ensure that Congress has immediate access to the nation's best thinking on public policy issues of interest to its Members and Committees.
Duties for this position include the following:
The Law Librarians selected under this announcement will:
Provide reference and research services to CRS legislative attorneys, policy analysts and congressional clients;
Develop search techniques and files for handling specific types of requests;
Search the Library of Congress, CRS, and external electronic resources in response to requests for information;
Examine publications, electronic resources, and trends in a variety of areas;
Develop knowledge of collections for use in performing research tasks; and
Assist with the creation and maintenance of databases, web pages, collaborative tools and other information systems.
Candidates earning a Master of Library Science (MLS) or equivalent degree and background working in a library, information center, or research organization are encouraged to apply.
Graduate students and Library of Congress employees who meet all of the following eligibility requirements:
U.S. Citizenship
Current enrollment in or anticipated graduation from an appropriate, accredited advanced degree program. (Library employees who already possess a graduate degree and maintain Library employment status without a break in service may be considered for appointment under the CRS Graduate Recruit Program).
Education requirements for a GS-09 appointment (see table below)
EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR LAW LIBRARIAN POSITIONS
GS-09 Grade Level
Two full years of progressively higher level graduate education in library or information science, OR master’s degree in library or information science or equivalent graduate degree related to the position, OR enrollment in a master of library or information science degree program or equivalent graduate degree program with one year of relevant work experience equivalent to the GS-07 level.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, AND ABILITY REQUIREMENTS:
The critical knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs), gained through education, experience and/or training, needed to successfully perform the duties of the position:
GS-09 Grade Level
KSA #1: Prior Background and Experience / Ability to Apply Knowledge of Legal Reference Sources in Public Policy Research**
The ability to apply knowledge of legal reference sources in public policy research in all formats such as legal databases, online legislative resources, authoritative websites, government documents, legal documents, and legal research sources, and to provide recommendations for or participate in the development of legal library collections.
KSA #2: Ability to Provide Reference Services**
The ability to provide reference services by conducting reference interviews, evaluating requirements and recommending search strategies, monitoring developments relevant to subject area(s), and accessing and sharing information about programs and policy developments.
KSA #3: Ability to Conduct Information Research with a Legal or Public Policy Focus**
The ability to conduct, and assist others in conducting research using print/electronic resources, including international, federal, and/or state materials; designing and executing data searches; adapting research techniques from other disciplines; and identifying alternative information resources. This also includes the ability to identify, compile and organize data, and identify and synthesize information.
Education
Please review Qualifications section for Education Requirements.
Additional information
The Congressional Research Service, within the Library of Congress, is part of the Legislative Branch of the federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service.
The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustment for the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.
The appointment tenure for this position is full-time temporary with the expectation of subsequent conversion to permanent; flexible work schedules may be available. The position description number for this vacancy announcement is 60372. Relocation expenses are not authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement.
The Library reserves the right to fill a lesser or greater number of vacancies indicated during the life of this vacancy announcement.
Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation. Applicants who are referred for an interview will be required to submit a completed Form 1862 Library of Congress Applicant Data Form/Reference Form.
Those Graduate Recruit Program participants who are converted from a temporary appointment to a permanent position, and who have not yet completed the one-year probationary period required of all new Library employees, will be required to do so. Time served in the temporary appointment will not count toward completion of this one-year probationary period requirement.
CRS staff not placed in a permanent position under the Graduate Recruit Program will return to the position occupied before entering the program or a position of similar grade and duties without loss of federal service tenure or seniority. Before applying, other Library of Congress employees should consult their supervisor or service unit management regarding the status of their position should they be selected for the program but not placed in a permanent position.
The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer. Women, men, minorities, and persons with disabilities who meet eligibility requirements are strongly encouraged to apply.
This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify Carmen Reese at CRSGraduateRecruit@crs.loc.gov or (202) 707-6275. The decision on granting reasonable accommodations will be made on a case-by-case basis.
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.
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.
Completed application packages will be forwarded to a panel of CRS staff that will first assess applicants against basic eligibility and general education requirements of the position. An evaluation panel will then assess the degree to which candidates meet the critical knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) required to perform the duties of the position and offer the better qualified candidates an opportunity for an interview in person, by telephone or by other telecommunications means. In addition to the critical KSAs listed above, the following competencies will also be addressed during the interview:
Ability to Interact Collaboratively with Others
Ability to Utilize Information Technology
Ability to Solve Problems and Make Decisions
Ability to Communicate Effectively Other Than in Writing
A complete applicant package will require applicants to provide responses to a vacancy questionnaire, which includes mandatory submission of a Candidate Statement of Interest. Finalists may be required to submit a writing sample related to their academic discipline.
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.
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.
It is recommended that you review your application to ensure it contains the following items:
Resume (uploaded through USAJobs.gov)
Completed vacancy questionnaire
Graduate transcripts or a self-prepared course list (attachment to application)
Note: the "Documents" section of the application may request that you attach Form 1862 Library of Congress Applicant Data Form/Reference Form. You may choose to upload this form as part of your application or submit it at the time of interview. Incomplete applications will not be referred to interview officials and will be disqualified from further consideration.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
You are required to apply online. 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.
Step 1: If you do not already have one, create a resume on USAJOBS. The Library of Congress will NOT be able to access your Social Security information.
Step 2: Review the Job Announcement. It is recommend that you go to the Qualification and Evaluation section of the job announcement to preview the online questions that you will answer when you get to 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.
Step 4: Once you have completed the eligibility questions, you will be taken directly to the vacancy application questions.
Step 5: Hiring Management offers two 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. two undergraduate transcripts from different schools), be sure 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. Likewise, if sending them by fax, be sure and include both of them behind the respective fax cover sheet and send them as one fax. If you send them individually with the same cover sheet, the last one sent will overwrite the first one. Finally, if you upload a document, e.g. your undergraduate transcript, do not also fax that same document (or fax another undergraduate transcript), because whichever one you send last will be the only one that is 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 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 technical difficulty, 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. If you have questions you MUST CONTACT Carmen Reese at CRSGraduateRecruit@crs.loc.gov or (202) 707-6275 no later than 4:30 p.m. EDT of the closing date.
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
101 Independence Ave. SE
LM-107
Washington, District of Columbia 20540
United States
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.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
It is recommended that you review your application to ensure it contains the following items:
Resume (uploaded through USAJobs.gov)
Completed vacancy questionnaire
Graduate transcripts or a self-prepared course list (attachment to application)
Note: the "Documents" section of the application may request that you attach Form 1862 Library of Congress Applicant Data Form/Reference Form. You may choose to upload this form as part of your application or submit it at the time of interview. Incomplete applications will not be referred to interview officials and will be disqualified from further consideration.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
You are required to apply online. 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.
Step 1: If you do not already have one, create a resume on USAJOBS. The Library of Congress will NOT be able to access your Social Security information.
Step 2: Review the Job Announcement. It is recommend that you go to the Qualification and Evaluation section of the job announcement to preview the online questions that you will answer when you get to 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.
Step 4: Once you have completed the eligibility questions, you will be taken directly to the vacancy application questions.
Step 5: Hiring Management offers two 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. two undergraduate transcripts from different schools), be sure 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. Likewise, if sending them by fax, be sure and include both of them behind the respective fax cover sheet and send them as one fax. If you send them individually with the same cover sheet, the last one sent will overwrite the first one. Finally, if you upload a document, e.g. your undergraduate transcript, do not also fax that same document (or fax another undergraduate transcript), because whichever one you send last will be the only one that is 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 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 technical difficulty, 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. If you have questions you MUST CONTACT Carmen Reese at CRSGraduateRecruit@crs.loc.gov or (202) 707-6275 no later than 4:30 p.m. EDT of the closing date.
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
101 Independence Ave. SE
LM-107
Washington, District of Columbia 20540
United States
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.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
