Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results

Collections Librarian

Legislative Branch
Library of Congress
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is locate in the Metadata and Stewardship Section, Geography And Map Division, Special Collections Directorate, Researcher And Collections Services.

The position description number for this position is 435970.

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

The incumbent of this position will work a fulltime flextime work schedule.

This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.

Overview

Help
Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
01/20/2023 to 02/03/2023
Salary
$78,592 to - $102,166 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11
Location
Washington
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent - Position
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
VAR002243
Control number
701108800

This job is open to

Help

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

Help

The position requires a knowledge of a specialized subject or field of endeavor.  In addition, since materials in libraries are often in foreign languages, applicants must have a proficient knowledge of one or more foreign languages. For such positions, applicants must meet requirements that are directly related to the subject matter or language of the specialization. These requirements are in addition to the basic professional library science requirements that apply to all positions. However, these requirements may be included in or supplemental to those specified for all positions. The following specializations are authorized: cartography, geography, and the Arabic, Persian, Russian, Slavic, Germanic, Oriental, Semitic, or Romance languages.

The position serves as a Collections Librarian located in the Metadata and Stewardship Section (MSS), Geography and Map (G&M) Division, Special Collections Directorate (SCD) within the Researcher and Collections Services (RCS) service unit in that Library Collections and Services Group (LCSG) at the Library of Congress (Library), and reports to the Supervisor, MSS.

The incumbent is responsible for implementing collections projects, studies and surveys for G&M, concentrating in the areas of security, preservation, inventory control and space management. Provides bibliographic control of the Library's collections and leadership to the Library and information communities in the development of archival materials cataloging theory and practice; and catalogues a variety of materials including atlases, maps, microforms, relief models, globes, manuscripts and archives, electronic resources, in many different languages and in an electronic environment. Performs assignments consistent with the mission of MSS, especially relating to the organization, preservation, storage, and security of the collections.

Projects include, but are not limited to, security needs, future space needs, or arrearage reduction projects. Working with higher graded staff, implements plans for the accomplishment of archival collections and Encoded Archival Description (EAD) management. Performs work in maintaining vault collections and special archival collections. As assigned, sorts cartographic and archival materials to be transferred to proper storage destinations, and may recommend transfer to storage destinations; completes routine correspondence and performs routine coordination with other staff. Performs tasks in accessions of incoming collections to be cataloged including gifts, transfers, and purchases. Resolves routine problems and inconsistencies in the cataloging and accessioning process.

With supervision, establishes personal and corporate names for inclusion in the name authority file. Uses Machine Readable Cataloguing (MARC) format and other current technologies to create preliminary bibliographic records and upgrade those records to full-level descriptions for archival collections. Analyzes and organizes specialized information to determine its subject content and relationship to the existing collections in order to determine the appropriate primary and secondary access points. Assigns appropriate subject headings. Performs assignments in developing inventories and definitive analytical finding aids for special collection holdings to maintain, service and secure unique and valuable records in cartography, geography, and geographical systems in a variety of languages and scripts.

Examples of records include, but are not limited to, early, rare and manuscript cartographic resources such as Mediterranean portolan charts, Medieval maps and the Mappa Mundi, and early American Revolution and Civil War maps. Participates in surveys of internal collections, identifying and inventorying groups of materials.

Analyzes, determines, and prioritizes preservation needs. Assesses collections and archives acquired by the library, with regard to condition, contents, scope, storage history, and other aspects pertinent to the preservation and long-term survival of the material. Monitors the quality and consistency of preservation and digital copies to ensure adherence to established archival standards and specifications. Identifies equipment and supplies required for conducting the preservation program, and develops specifications for their procurement. Coordinates with the library's preservation research staff on the archival evaluation and testing of materials and procedures used in preserving the division's materials.

Provides reference and research service in response to requests for information about collections on specialized subjects. Assists others inside and outside the Library with language, subject, or cataloging problems. Collaborates on projects both inside and outside the Library.

Requirements

Help

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 develop and manage special library collections.**

Knowledge of integrated library systems, library applications, and other information technologies.**

Ability to perform preservation duties.**

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

Ability to provide research and curatorial services.

Ability to communicate in writing.

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.

  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.

GS-11

Three full years of progressively higher level graduate education in library science or doctoral degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) related to the position. 

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


You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.