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Technical Information Specialist

Department of Health and Human Services
National Institutes of Health
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This is to fill Technical Information Specialist positions within the NIH Library. If you have experience providing information and data services in a biomedical library setting and want to play a significant role in a dynamic organization, then consider joining the NIH Library team. For more information, visit https://www.nihlibrary.nih.gov

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
12/01/2021 to 12/10/2021
Salary
$72,750 to - $134,798 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11 - 13
Location
2 vacancies in the following location:
Montgomery County, MD
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
NIH-ORS-MP-22-11300752
Control number
623635600

Duties

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  • Responsible for application administration and configuration of the library's digital library applications to include the library catalog, link resolver, proxy server, document delivery ticketing, and support ticketing.
  • Tests and evaluates new or updated databases, software, modifications, or other changes to automated library systems.
  • Provides technical support for various functions including manual and automated metadata creation and management, and cross-walking metadata between standard formats.
  • Assists in designing and writing training plans, class manuals, web-based training modules, and publicity for the instruction program.
  • Participates in digital library development, automation, and maintenance projects, collaborating with stakeholders to determine project goals, optimal design strategy, and information architecture.
  • Participates in administering the technology infrastructure contracts, including the integrated library catalog; annual maintenance contracts for library-held hardware and software, and web development contracts.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship requirement or proof of being a U.S. National must be met by closing date.
  • Employment is subject to the successful completion of the pre-appointment process (i.e., background investigation, verification of qualifications and job requirements, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, etc.)
  • Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
  • Applicants must meet all qualifications requirements within thirty (30) calendar days of the closing date of this announcement, including time in grade.
  • This position is designated as a "non-emergency/teleworker" position and the selected candidate will be considered a "non-emergency/teleworker" employee. In the event of a closure, you must be available to telework or request leave.
  • PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps should apply online to this announcement to receive consideration.
  • At the supervisor's discretion, this position may offer work schedule flexibilities: telework (work from home on a regular basis or ad hoc basis but reports to the office at least once a week/two days a pay period), compressed schedules.

Qualifications

Basic Education Requirements:
In order to qualify for this position, you must meet the following Basic Requirements:
A. Have a full 4-year course of study that meets all the requirements for a bachelor's degree with major study in the subject-matter field of the position to be filled;
OR
B. Have four years of experience that provided a knowledge of the basic principles, theories, practices, techniques, and terminology of a discipline or subject-matter field; an understanding of the standard methods, procedures, and techniques of research and analysis in the subject-matter field; and where appropriate, ability to read and comprehend nontechnical material in one or more foreign languages. Such experience is equivalent to that which would have been gained through a 4-year college curriculum.
OR
C. Have a combination of education and experience as described above.

In addition to the above basic requirements, to qualify for a Technical Information Specialist at the GS-11 level, you must have:
A. completed 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education or doctoral degree (Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent) related to the position;
OR
B. 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: performing assignments involving the categorization, summarization, or location of specialized scientific or technical information; assisting with digital library development, automation, and maintenance projects; and providing technical assistance with digital repositories and digital collections.
OR
C. a combination of post baccalaureate education and experience that meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position.

In addition to the above basic requirements, to qualify for a Technical Information Specialist at the GS-12 level, you must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: modifying standard information practices, precedents and techniques and adapting automated systems to solve a variety of information organization, access, and dissemination problems; configuring digital library applications and operations; identifying and resolving technical processing problems for library operations and systems; providing technical advice and guidance, briefings, and proposals to management officials; assisting and writing training plans, class manuals, and web-based training modules.

In addition to the above basic requirements, to qualify for a Technical Information Specialist at the GS-13 level, you must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: evaluating and developing new library information systems, applications and library services to support the information needs of a research organization administering digital library applications; evaluating, recommending, and managing electronic library information systems, databases, and other library resources pertinent to a research library program. testing and evaluating new or updated library databases and software; and preparing acquisitions packages for technology infrastructure contracts.

Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

You will receive credit for all experience material to the position, including experience gained in religious, civic, welfare, service, and organizational activities, regardless of whether you received pay.

Preview assessment questionnaire before you apply: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11300752

Education

If you qualify based on education in lieu of specialized experience, you are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application packages. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Click here for information on Foreign Education.

Additional information

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

  • As a condition of employment, all federal employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. During the onboarding process, if selected, you must provide proof of vaccination. An official job offer and continued employment is contingent on this requirement. For more information on this requirement, visit the Safer Federal Workforce page on vaccines. If you need a COVID-19 vaccine, please visit Vaccines.gov.
  • Due to COVID-19, we are currently operating in a maximum telework state. If selected, you may be expected to telework. As employees to return to the office, you may be required to report to the location listed on this announcement within 30 calendar days of receiving notice, even if your home/temporary telework site is located outside the local commuting area. At the discretion of the supervisor and NIH policy, you may be eligible for workplace flexibilities, which may include remote work or telework options, and/or flexible work scheduling. These flexibilities may be requested in accordance with NIH Workplace Flexibilities guidance.
  • A current federal government employee may receive a relocation incentive if moving from a different geographic location. Recipients will be determined on a case-by-case basis based on organizational need, specific case justification, and budget limitations.
  • If selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE Form 450 to determine if a conflict or an appearance of a conflict exists between your financial interest and your prospective position with the agency. This information is required annually. For information, visit the NIH Ethics website: https://ethics.od.nih.gov/topics/fd.htm.
  • A newly appointed or reappointed employee may receive service credit for prior work experience or active duty uniformed service that otherwise would not be creditable for the purpose of determining his or her annual leave accrual rate. All creditable service must be directly related to the duties of the position being filled and decisions to allow for such credit must be finalized prior to the selectee's entrance on duty. Recipients will be determined on a case-by-case basis based on organizational need, specific case justification, and budget limitations.
  • A one-year probationary period may be required upon selection/placement.
  • Veterans' Preference applies only to Schedule A (disability appointment) and Veterans Recruitment Appointments (if applicable).
  • The National Institutes of Health participates in the USCIS Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). E-Verify helps employers determine employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their Social Security numbers.
  • The NIH maintains a tobacco free work environment and campus.
  • Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
  • Visit our Applicant FAQs page for helpful information on the application process.
  • Visit our Total Compensation page for a detailed look into the benefits, awards, leave, retirement and other incentives employees may receive as part of a rewarding work environment.

How you will be evaluated

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

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.

To determine your qualifications and referral status, we may review your resume and supporting documentation and compare it against your responses to the vacancy questionnaire. Ensure you support your self-ratings by the information you provide in your application. We may verify or assess your qualifications at any time. Inflated or unsupported qualifications may affect your rating. Any misrepresentation or material omission of facts may be sufficient cause to end further consideration of your candidacy. Persons listed as having knowledge of your past accomplishments or experience in your application may be contacted for verification purposes at any time. Verification may, but need not, begin prior to receiving an offer. To be considered well qualified for the purposes of the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) and the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must substantively exceed the basic qualifications by scoring at least an 85 on the assessment and meet all eligibility, physical, medical, suitability, and all other requirements.

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