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Librarian (Biomedical)

Department of Health and Human Services
National Institutes of Health
Office of Research Services (ORS), Division of Library Services (DLS)
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Join the NIH Library to enjoy local remote telework as an information consultant and library instructor for NIH and HHS researchers and policymakers. Specialize in services like scholarly communication, data services, bibliometrics, drug information, and/or evidence synthesis. Collaborate to develop and deliver quality information services to 27 NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices, plus HHS groups working to enhance public health and advance science. View this Introduction to the NIH Library.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
10/14/2022 to 10/24/2022
Salary
$61,947 to - $116,788 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9 - 12
Location
Few vacancies in the following location:
Montgomery County, MD
Remote job
No
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
Job family (Series)
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-DE-23-11668256
Control number
681698500

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

You must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National. Foreign nationals or legal permanent residents are not eligible for consideration.

Duties

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  • Serves as an expert information advisor and consultant to NIH and HHS customers.
  • Consults and collaborates with researchers, clinicians, and staff to aid them in locating, accessing, identifying, and managing information.
  • Utilizes a range of biomedical information resources and databases to provide information to researchers, clinicians, and staff.
  • Develops and provides a program of instruction in areas such as the use of analytical tools, scholarly resources, and library resources.
  • Provides advice and consultation to researchers, clinicians, and staff in using library products and services.
  • Performs outreach across NIH and HHS to understand users' information needs and markets library services and resources that meet those needs.
  • Consults with research librarians, researchers, clinicians, and peer groups within and outside NIH and HHS to keep abreast of developments, new methods, and search techniques in the area of specialty, information science and biomedicine.
  • If you are selected at the GS-9, or GS-11, you will essentially perform the same duties as those described above, however, duties are less complex and will be performed under closer supervision with more detailed guidance.

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 a background investigation, verification of qualifications, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, and any other job-related requirement before or after appointment.
  • Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
  • Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
  • Position requires Education.

Qualifications

Qualification Requirements:
In order to qualify for a Librarian, GS-1410 position, you must have:
A. successfully completed at least 1 full academic year of graduate study in library science in an accredited college or university, in addition to completion of all work required for a bachelor's degree in any field; OR
B. a total of at least 5 years of combined college-level education, training, and/or experience. This education, training, and/or experience must have provided you with a knowledge and understanding of the theories, principles, and techniques of professional librarianship; knowledge of literature resources; and the knowledge and abilities essential for providing effective library and information services.

In addition to the above basic requirements, to qualify for a Librarian position at the GS-09 level, you must have:
A. completed 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education toward a master's in library science or equivalent graduate degree, e.g., LL.B. or J.D., related to the position. OR
B. one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: providing basic library reference and research services to users; assisting in performing basic cataloging, classification and subject analysis and serials and collection access functions in a library or information center; and assisting with projects regarding the use of library information systems, databases and software. 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 Librarian position at the GS-11 level, you must have:
A. completed 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education in library science or doctoral degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) related to the position. OR
B. one (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: providing library reference and research support in locating, cataloging, classifying and selecting specialized information for use by researchers; participating in identifying, developing and recommending policies, programs and methods to improve library efficiency; assisting with the design and implementation of search and retrieval systems for library databases, websites or other library information systems. 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 Librarian position at the GS-12 level, you must have one (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: providing direct library reference and research services in a specialized research library; developing new approaches and methods for information and communication services for a library; using specialized software (such as Covidence, R, Python, etc) to respond to data calls including analyzing publications or networks for a scientific research library; providing tailored instruction on systematic reviews, scholarly publishing, data management and the use of print and electronic resources.

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.

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.

Preview assessment questionnaire before you apply: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11668256

Education

This position has an education requirement. 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 package. 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.

  • Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine. Employees providing healthcare or services in support of healthcare (Healthcare Workforce) may be required to receive a COVID-19 vaccine because they are expected to perform duties that put them in contact or potential contact with patients. We may request COVID-19 vaccination, and other vaccination documentation from Healthcare Workforce personnel at any point during the onboarding process or at any time during your employment with NIH.
  • 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.
  • A one-year probationary period may be required upon selection/placement.
  • 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, flexible schedules].
  • This position is eligible for local remote work, a position designation where onsite presence is required only on an irregular or infrequent basis, not to exceed two days or 16 hours every two weeks. Your worksite (e.g., home residence) must be within the Washington-Baltimore-Arlington pay locality to be eligible. Visit OPM's page for pay locality definitions. Visit NIH's Remote Work page for more information and requirements.
  • 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 newly appointed or reappointed individual may receive a recruitment incentive. Recipients will be determined on a case-by-case basis based on organizational need, specific case justification, and budget limitations.
  • 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.
  • PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps should apply online to this announcement to receive consideration
  • We may make additional selections for similar positions within the commuting area(s) of the locations listed through this vacancy announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with any interested selecting official(s). Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions.

How you will be evaluated

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

  • 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 and this sample for a detailed look into the benefits, awards, leave, retirement, and other incentives employees may receive as part of a rewarding work environment.
You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):
  • Factor 1. Skill in researching information resources to support user needs.
  • Factor 2. Knowledge of major library functions.
  • Factor 3. Ability to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of library operations and make recommendations for improvement.
  • Factor 4. Knowledge of library systems, technology, databases, and software.


If you meet the minimum qualifications for this position, your application and responses to the online questionnaire will be evaluated under Category Rating and selection procedures for placement in one of the following categories:
  • Best Qualified - for those who are superior in the evaluation criteria
  • Well Qualified - for those who excel in the evaluation criteria
  • Qualified - for those who only meet the minimum qualification requirements
The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Applicants determined to be Best Qualified will be referred for further consideration. Preference eligibles in the Best Qualified category are referred before all other applicants.

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 be able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry and 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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