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Librarian (Acquisition Specialist)

Legislative Branch
Library of Congress
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in the Acquisition Section of the Copyright Acquisitions Division, and serves as a Librarian (Acquisition Specialist).

The incumbent of this position will work a full-time compflex, flextime, or maxiflex work schedule.

This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.

This permanent position is hybrid telework eligible. It is not eligible for 100% distant/remote telework.

The position description number for this position is 110426.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
11/03/2022 to 11/17/2022
Salary
$61,947 to - $80,532 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 09
Location
Washington, DC
2 vacancies
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time - Compflex. Flextime. Maxiflex.
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
12
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Announcement number
VAR002127
Control number
687458100

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

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.

Duties

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Identifies, selects, and acquires library materials in assigned formats and assigned subject areas through the mandatory deposit provision of the Copyright Law. Materials identified for selection and acquisition are of limited technical complexity, or easily acquired. Contacts domestic publishers to obtain information or to relay information related to the mandatory deposit of published works; manages serial subscription deposits; approves acquisition and bibliographic records when issuing informal requests or formal demands; and resolves routine problems independently. Conducts publisher reviews to determine their rate of compliance and to bring them into full compliance with the Copyright Law. Assures that demand orders are represented by correct bibliographic identification, correct publisher contact information, and correct coding in the acquisitions and cataloging systems. Resolves routine problems and inconsistencies in the acquisitions and deposit process, including assisting in preparation of responses for requests for special relief from the mandatory deposit requirements. Performs research in on-site reference sources, online databases, the world wide web, and the collections of the Library.

In consultation with the supervisor or a senior specialist, gathers and evaluates copyright and publication facts to determine if the material is subject to copyright demand, or is available through other acquisition methods.

Answers inquiries from copyright claimants and publishers regarding deposit requirements, Copyright Office and Library policies and programs, and the acquisition needs of the Library. Refers difficult technical questions on copyright law and Copyright Office policies and practices to the supervisor or senior specialist.

Works to maintain personal contacts and cooperative work relationships with the publishing community in order to support the Library's collection development and acquisition process, and to ensure timely and comprehensive fulfillment of the mandatory deposit requirements. Consults with colleagues and supervisors to resolve problems arising from the workflow. Consults with recommending officers concerning LC requests and interpretations of collection policies. Assists publishers to resolve routine problems related to copyright deposits and to ensure the timely receipt of deposits. Explains and answers routine questions related to the mandatory deposit provision of the U.S. Copyright Law to individuals. Attends workshops, conferences, seminars, or meetings in librarianship and other relevant fields for the purpose of professional development.

As assigned, identifies, selects, and acquires non-technical library materials in assigned subject areas. Uses standard methods, techniques, concepts, and principles to perform assignments. Exercises good judgment in interpreting and applying acquisition and selection guidelines, including deviating from traditional methods, techniques or practices. Examines incoming shipments of deposits to select items appropriate for the collections, assign cataloging priorities, consulting senior staff regarding difficult decisions.

Performs various other related duties as assigned.

Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement.

The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

Library of Congress employees are prohibited from using illegal drugs, including marijuana. The Library is part of the Federal Government and abides by federal law, so regardless of individual state or District of Columbia laws, marijuana use is illegal, considered criminal activity, and can affect your employment at the Library. In addition, past or current drug use and activities (e.g., selling or distributing) may deem you ineligible for employment.

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.

Ability to work with electronic resources in a library environment.

Ability to apply the principles and techniques of collection development in a library environment.**

Ability to use information retrieval principles.

Ability to apply knowledge of acquisitions, selection, and bibliographic control.**

Ability to utilize technology to plan, organize, prioritize, and monitor varied workload.

Ability to provide consultation and perform liaison duties.**

Ability to communicate technical information orally and in writing in a convincing manner to resolve issues and influence others to support a position.

Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.

Education

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

A. 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

B. 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 in the amounts required for the grade level as shown below:

GS-9

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

You must submit a legible copy of your college/university transcripts to your online application. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at the time of application. Official transcripts will be required if selected. Failure to submit the required legible documentation at the time of application will result in disqualification of your application.

Foreign Education – Education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed equivalent to conventional/accredited U.S. education programs to be acceptable for Federal employment. If your college/university is outside the U.S., your transcripts must be accompanied by a report from a credential evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE). Failure to submit a foreign education evaluation report will result in disqualification of your application.

Additional information

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 at step one 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.

Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation. For more information, please see:Vetting Process

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.

The Library reserves the right to fill a lesser or greater number of vacancies indicated during the life of this vacancy announcement.

Initial permanent appointments to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period. Probationary periods served at other Federal agencies do not count toward this requirement.

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.
 

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.

For more information regarding eligibility requirements, please see the Library of Congress Merit Selection Plan, Section 8.5, at: Merit Selection Plan


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