Clarification from the agency

This position is open to ALL U.S. Citizens and ICTAP/CTAP eligibles.

-Provides reference and research service on Museum collections for a wide range of users, including other USHMM staff, scholars, and the general public.

 -Identifies problems and trends; develops methodologies for research; evaluates primary and secondary sources; updates methods to acquire and present data; and keeps up with trends and current technologies in research and information services.

 -Analyzes, develops, plans and participates in difficult arrangement or rearrangement at all hierarchal levels of records as well as the unification of dispersed archival collections, including materials from same creators that have been placed in various accessions.

 -Works with Collections Management Branch staff on the unification of such dispersed archival materials, or alternately, makes recommendation for disposition of non-archival components (such as publications, artifacts, audiovisual materials) that need further cataloging and treatment from other departments.

 -Uses appropriate software, in addition to the Museum database software program, in order to create well-formatted finding aids in Encoded Archival Description (EAD) or similarly well-structured format where possible, and acts as a resource person for other departmental staff, interns, and volunteers, helping train them in the use of such tools.

***Please note that this vacancy has a limit of 100 applicants. The job opportunity announcement will automatically close if that limit is reached prior to the closing date.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or National to apply
• You must meet the Selective Service requirement (See Other Information)
• You must submit your complete application and all supporting documents
• You will be subject to a background/suitability investigation/determination
• A one year probationary/trial period may be required
• Payment of relocation expenses is/is not authorized.

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

 A. Bachelor's degree in archival science or library science or bachelor's degree with a major that includes 18 semester hours in archival science or library 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 in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

 Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

 FAILURE TO PROVIDE TRANSCRIPTS MAY RESULT IN AN INELIGIBLE RATING

 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-12:

 Applicants must possess 52 weeks of specialized experience comparable in difficulty and responsibility to the GS-11 or equivalent pay band in the Federal service.

 Applicants must meet the specialized experience requirement. Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11 level in the Federal Service to qualify. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government. Specialized experience is defined as experience:

 -Developing finding aids and catalog records for collections with complex subject matter, obscure administrative history, complicated organization and/or confused provenance;

 -Providing reference and research service on archival collections for a wide range of users, including staff, scholars, and the general public; and

 -Identifying records in need of rehabilitation and carrying out specific action to safeguard records

 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-11:

Applicants must possess 52 weeks of specialized experience comparable in difficulty and responsibility to the GS-9 or equivalent pay band in the Federal service. Applicants must meet the specialized experience requirement. Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-9 level in the Federal Service to qualify. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government. Specialized experience is defined as experience:

-Analysis and participation in difficult arrangement or rearrangement at all hierarchical levels of records;

-Conducting research in online and other bibliographical reference sources; and

 -Assisting with making recommendations regarding the collection and of research trends, for the purchase of archival collections or other related experience.

 Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management website located at www.opm.gov/qualifications.

 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.

How you will be evaluated

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

We will review your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position.  If you meet the minimum qualifications stated in the vacancy announcement, we will compare your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation to your responses on the scored occupational questionnaire (True/False, Yes/No, Multiple Choice questions) and place you in one of the three pre-defined categories.  The categories are “gold”, “silver” and “bronze”.  However, your resume or optional cover letter must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire, or your score may be lowered.  Candidates placed in the “gold” category will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview.

How you will be evaluated for preference eligibility:  For scientific and professional positions in grade GS-9 or higher, ALL applicants are listed in order of ratings regardless of veteran’s preference.

The scored occupational questionnaire will evaluate you on the following competencies; please do not provide a separate written response:

·       Knowledge of professional archival principles, theoretical concepts, techniques, and functions in order to research collections; appraise archival and manuscript records; arrange collections; prepare descriptions of collections; unify dispersed collections; and arrange, analyze, and  interpret non-current record collections and to assess their value for historical and other scholarly research.

 ·       Knowledge of the methods and sources for keeping abreast of the scholarly research  being done on the Holocaust and World War II in order to collaborate with other researchers.

 ·       Skill in reading at least one non-English European language in order to interpret documentary evidence.

 ·       Knowledge of the theory and practice of computer software systems, and skill in the use  of these systems, in order to manage records for archival cataloging and management.

Career Transition Assistance Program: This program applies to Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed, or employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet eligibility criteria for CTAP or ICTAP; 2) will be eligible if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a rating of 85 out of 100; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. Well-Qualified includes those applicants whose knowledge, skills, and abilities clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position. For information on eligibility criteria and required documentation, go to: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp