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Librarian

Legislative Branch
Library of Congress
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The Literature Section at the Library of Congress seeks a cataloger with strong cataloging and classification skills primarily for material in one or more of the following subject areas: Literature, Linguistics, Mass Media and related areas (e.g., Journalism, Motion Pictures, Theater) and/or Classics. This position requires the ability to communicate in one or more of the following languages; German, Spanish, Italian or French.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
09/12/2018 to 10/12/2018
Salary
$56,233 to - $73,105 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 09
Location
2 vacancies in the following location:
Washington DC, DC
2 vacancies
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time - Flexitime.
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
13
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Announcement number
VAR000571
Control number
510663200

Duties

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Creates original and copy cataloging records in all formats, including print and special formats; creates authority records, performs authority control and database maintenance, and works on special projects.

Using professional judgment, applies bibliographic metadata standards and principles to clearly describe materials in order to provide effective access to them. Works collaboratively with other catalogers and with other internal units and external organizations that provide or use the metadata.

Establishes and recommends subject headings for inclusion in the subject authority file and classification schedule. Performs research in the cataloger's reference collection, online databases, scholarly research tools, the Internet, and the collections of the Library.

Recommends resolutions to problems and inconsistencies in the cataloging process. Works with cataloging policy staff to recommend changes and additions in descriptive, classification, and subject cataloging rules.

Uses library technology and encoding/structural standards to perform work related to metadata creation. This may include: bibliographic utilities and knowledge bases (e.g., OCLC); linked data principles (e.g., RDF); and emerging library applications (e.g., BIBFRAME).

Provides consultation or performs liaison duties to help solve technical problems, interact collaboratively on projects, and exchange information with persons inside and outside of an organization, including supervisors, experts, colleagues, and/or trainees.

Collaborates with the Section Head and other staff in planning and implementing team activities including: workflow procedures, team priorities, cataloging projects of an experimental nature, goal setting, and strategies for meeting team production goals. Assists others inside and outside the Library with language, subject, and cataloging problems.

Actively participates in discussions relating to discovery, access, retrieval, and management of objects in ILS, discovery, and digital repository systems. Advises on the application of appropriate current and emerging cataloging/metadata schema to facilitate access to digital resources and physical collections. 

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

Applicants should submit a resume and are required to submit transcripts of higher education.

You must provide legible transcripts or a list of college courses showing completed course work, semester hours earned, and degree(s) awarded, and a copy of your professional certification, if applicable as noted under the Basic Requirements. Failure to submit the required documentations at the time of application will eliminate you from further consideration. Official documents will be required if selected. 

Basic Requirement:

All librarians must meet the requirements for professional education in library science or possess equivalent experience and education.

1.Completion of 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;

or

1.A total of at least 5 years of a combination of college-level education, training, and experience. To qualify on this basis, the applicant must establish conclusively that the education, training, and

experience provided knowledge and understanding of the theories, principles, and techniques of professional librarianship; a knowledge of literature resources; and the knowledge and abilities essential for providing effective library and information services.

In addition to meeting the basic entry qualification requirements, applicants must have directly related education and/or specialized experience.

GS- 9

Two full years of progressively higher level graduate education or master's in library science or equivalent graduate degree, e.g., LL.B. or J.D., related to the position.

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.

Knowledge of library metadata rules, practices, and procedures. **

Ability to use library software applications, integrated library platforms, and other information. **

Ability to communicate in one or more of the follow languages: German, Spanish, Italian or French. **

Knowledge of at least one of the following subject areas: Literature, Linguistics, Mass Media and related areas (e.g., Journalism, Motion Pictures, Theater), and/or Classics. **

Ability to communicate in writing.

Ability to develop and maintain relationships and provide consultation and liaison services.

Ability to Communicate Effectively Other Than in Writing.

Education

Basic Requirement:

All librarians must meet the requirements for professional education in library science or possess equivalent experience and education.

1.Completion of 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;

or

1.A total of at least 5 years of a combination of college-level education, training, and experience. To qualify on this basis, the applicant must establish conclusively that the education, training, and

experience provided knowledge and understanding of the theories, principles, and techniques of professional librarianship; a knowledge of literature resources; and the knowledge and abilities essential for providing effective library and information services.

In addition to meeting the basic entry qualification requirements, applicants must have directly related education and/or specialized experience.

GS- 9

Two full years of progressively higher level graduate education or master's in library science or equivalent graduate degree, e.g., LL.B. or J.D., related to the position.

Additional information

The position description for this position is 058498

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; or Compflex; or Maxiflex work schedule.

Travel not required

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 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 certificate of disability must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and may be issued by a State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, a Disability Services or Career Services Office of the applicant's college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The date of certification must be within three (3) years of the vacancy closing date and must be submitted with your application. For more information contact the Library's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and 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. 

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.

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.

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.
To preview questions please click here.

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