An official website of the United States government
This position is located in the Collections Division, Library Collections and Services Group.
The position description number for this position is 409883.
The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area.
The incumbent of this position will work a flexitime work schedule.
This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.
Learn more about this agency07/12/2021 to 07/30/2021
$72,750 - $94,581 per year
GS 11
2 vacancies in the following location:
No
Not required
No
Permanent - Position
Full-time - Flexitime.
Excepted
11
No
No
VAR001549
607175400
Anyone may apply - By law, employment at most U.S. Government agencies, including the Library of Congress, is limited to U.S. citizens. However, non-citizens may be hired, provided that other legal requirements are met and the Library determines there are no qualified U.S. citizens available for the position.
The Production Specialist is responsible for all production in the NLS recording studio of audio material intended for distribution to the patrons of the NLS Talking Book Program.
Assesses the content and organizes the audio files of recorded work that originates in the NLS recording studio, into navigable units. Converts into the standardized NLS talking book format, to be available for use on NLS digital audio players and online on the BARD website. Encrypts the material to restrict its access to only NLS patrons. This process requires a detailed knowledge of NLS Specifications 1201 (Narration), 1202 (DTB Mastering), 1203 (Construction of a DTB), without which knowledge, the production specialist will produce books which will fail the Quality Assurance process.
Converts many types of audio books that originate outside of the NLS recording studio in order to enhance the NLS collection online, including: Analog to Digital (ATD), Digital to Digital (DTD), shared masters, and commercial audiobooks into the standardized NLS digital talking book format.
Produces born digital talking books (DTBs), magazines, and resource materials, as well as converting older books to be added to BARD. This process requires a detailed knowledge of NLS Specifications 1205 (Protected DTBs) and 1208 (Preparation of Commercial Audiobooks)
Applies specialized knowledge of audio software support, sound engineering, and audio recording navigation mark-up format, incorporating both technical and artistic judgments. Performs all aspects of audio technical post-production work.
Analyzes book structure to determine optimal navigational markup and places navigational markers to maximize accessibility for the patrons while complying with NLS specifications. Conducts preliminary examination of magazines, determining appropriate playback structure and formatting for DTB players. Prepares project files using Hindenburg ABC for the recording process (if recorded in-house) or downloading and reformatting commercial books and/or magazines to meet NLS standards.
Converts and reformats previously recorded (analog or digital) NLS talking books to meet current Quality Assurance standards. Compiles finished recorded audio, then adds navigable markers using Hindenburg ABC for playback on DTB players. Runs validators and creates md5 checksums to guarantee data accuracy, encrypting DTBs for DRM compliance.
Archives all books and magazines produced in the studio by compressing them for long-term storage and uploads items to NLS servers, as well as entering and updating them in the studio’s database.
Coordinates with Audio and Braille Production and Content Quality Assurance Sections for special projects. Assists with the timely releases of converted commercially recorded audiobooks into the NLS collection, by obtaining the recorded audio material, determining navigational structure, addressing post-production needs, and providing assistance in moving files to the server in order to be released on the BARD website on the same day as their commercial release.
Works with all NLS sections to provide high standards of customer satisfaction according to NLS specifications. Provides technical expertise to other NLS sections in audio and DTB related issues.
Advises, trains, and assists network libraries in digital recording and DTB production, upon request, coordinating and supporting network library production;
Coordinates with the Content Quality Assurance Section to address patron requests in a timely manner.
Provides technical feedback to Collections Division regarding various audio book production issues, by attending meetings, serving as in-house experts, and providing written reports and analyses of new and emerging technologies, consistently and professionally.
Tests playback of final audio of recorded books and/or magazines before being uploaded to Quality Assurance for review and uploading the completed product to NLS servers.
Assists Channel Design and Deployment Section with the testing of new technologies and new recording software intended for use by other producers in the Network Library System.
Facilitates narration of complex titles including experimental formats and assists in the development of concepts to enhance accessibility of images, including audio and tactile approaches.
Supports technical aspects of format conversion, e.g. music or Marrakesh titles, to NLS format and assists in creating potential new formats, such as Text-to-Speech or ePUB titles for proof of concept and pilot use.
Coordinates and collaborates with other NLS departments, including the Music Section, Reference Section, Network Services, and Audio and Braille Production with the planning and execution of special projects and new procedures.
Conducts tours of the NLS Studio for new employees, library groups, and visitors from around the world.
No additional requirements to those listed above.
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.
Ability to use existing recording software to produce audiobooks.**
Knowledge of accessible audio material production.**
Ability to interact collaboratively with others and coordinate audio services.
Ability to monitor audio book recording sessions.
Ability to research and test new technologies in audio recording.
Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.
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 email 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 proof or disability/certification may be issued by the State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of the applicant’s college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The letter must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and must be dated within three years of the date of the application. Certification from health care providers are not accepted. For more information contact the Library's Office of EEO/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.
The Library of Congress may offer repayment for all or part of federally insured student loans. However, not all service units within the Library of Congress participates in the repayment of federally insured student loans. Therefore, determination to repay a federally insured student loan is subject to approval by the appropriate service unit.
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.
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.
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.
Current or former federal employees must submit their most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent).
Applicants with disabilities may be considered under special hiring procedures and must submit an appropriate certificate of eligibility when applying for this position. The proof or disability/certification may be issued by the State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of the applicant’s college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The letter must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and must be dated within three years of the date of the application. The program does not accept certification from health care providers. 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.
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 all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Please carefully follow all instructions under the How to Apply tab to ensure you are considered for the position.
You are required to apply online for this announcement. 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. To do so, complete the following steps.
Step 1: If you do not already have one, create a resume on USAJOBS. Although you must enter your Social Security Number for USAJOBS, this information will not be provided to the Library of Congress.
Step 2: Review the Job Announcement. We recommend you go to the end of the Qualification and Evaluation section of the job announcement to preview the online questions that you will answer in 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. You will be able to update this information and save it to our account for future announcements.
Step 4: Once you have completed the eligibility questions, you will be taken directly to the vacancy application questions. Answer all questions honestly and thoroughly. Step 5: Hiring Management offers three 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. 2 undergraduate transcripts from different schools or 2 SF-50s, etc., be sure that 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. 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 (e.g., SF-50, etc.) 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 any technical difficulty with the online process, 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.
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.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/607175400. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
Learn more about
The Library of Congress serves the Congress in fulfilling its duties and preserves and promotes knowledge and creativity for the benefit of the American people. It is the nation's oldest federal cultural institution and the world's largest library, with more than 158 million items in its physical collections (including books, manuscripts, prints, photos, film, video, and sound recordings) and over 37 million items online. Located primarily on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., the Library is the home of the U.S. Copyright Office, the Congressional Research Service (CRS), the Law Library of Congress, and the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.
