Clarification from the agency

This position is open to ALL U.S. Citizens, ICTAP/CTAP eligibles and veterans.

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is a federally chartered, nonpartisan institution that was created by the US Congress to serve as America’s national memorial to the victims of the Holocaust and an educational institution dedicated to the history and lessons of the Holocaust. The Museum seeks to educate Americans from all 50 states and all walks of life as well as international audiences. The Museum has three areas of expertise: Holocaust remembrance, Holocaust scholarship and education, and genocide prevention.

In carrying out its important memorial and educational mission, the Museum is guided by its institutional values for our workplace: Honor the memory of the victims; carry out our work with dignity, humility, integrity and respect for others; and strive for excellence through teamwork, rigor, and a culture of continuous learning. Consistent respect for others is the foundation for trust, collegiality and inclusion.

Creates thorough, accurate, and well-documented responses to reference requests, based on information contained in the collections; maintains currency with new research, publications, and information services; and provides expertise in the field of Holocaust studies. Tailors complexity of the responses to the expertise and interest level of the individual researcher.

Suggests detailed search paths, enabling patrons to continue their research independently. Manages reading room operations, including technology, and recommends and implements enhancements. Advises researchers about restrictions on access to certain archival collections, and on duplication policies and procedures.

Participates in other major library activities such as collection development, acquisitions, bibliographic access, and collections management, to varying degrees as needed.

Conducts periodic inspections to evaluate the need for repairs and alterations, and/or replacements necessary to maintain the reading room and other Library space, shelving, and holdings in quality condition and prepares inspection summaries and narrative assessments of facility conditions.

Conditions of employment

·       The USHMM is an equal opportunity employer.

·       You must be a U.S. citizen or national to apply.

·       This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.  If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency.  The decision granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.

·       As a condition of employment, all new hires must agree to direct deposit of their salary checks.  Employees will have up to two (2) pay periods from the date they enter on duty to arrange for their direct deposit transaction.

·       This is a Federal agency.  Former employees who received a voluntary separation incentive (“buyout”) must repay the full amount of it if reemployed under any type of appointment or under a personal service contract within five years after separation with a buyout.

·       On-line resumes must be submitted by 11:59pm EST of the closing date.

·       You must be a suitable for Federal employment.

·       You must be registered for Selective Service if applicable (www.sss.gov).

·       A one year probationary/trial period may be required.

·       A one- year supervisory probationary period may be required.

·       Payment of relocation expenses is not authorized.

Qualifications

Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations e.g., professional; philanthropic, religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies; knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: You qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-09 (or equivalent) grade level in the Federal government, performing the following duties:

Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Qualifying experience for GS-11 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-09 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience includes creating thorough, accurate, and well-documented responses to reference requests in a library setting; maintaining currency with new research, publications, and information services, especially in Holocaust studies, 20th century European history, Jewish studies, or related fields; developing methods to highlight library resources; creating and modifying bibliographies, pathfinders, and other discovery tools; and recommending and implementing improvements to policies and procedures governing reference services.

OR

Education: Completion of a Master’s degree in Library Science or related field, in addition to completion of all work required for a bachelor's degree in a discipline related to the position;

OR

Three (3) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education in a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) from an accredited college or university which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. 

***Failure to submit required documentation will result in an ineligible rating.

How you will be evaluated

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

We will review your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation (transcripts if applicable) to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position. If you meet the minimum qualifications stated in the vacancy announcement, we will compare your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation to your responses on the scored occupational questionnaire that you completed as part of the application. However, your resume or optional cover letter must support your responses to the occupational questions, or your score will be lowered. The best-qualified candidates will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview.

If applicable, performance appraisals and/or Incentive award documentation may be submitted and will be forwarded to the selecting official as support in consideration of your application in the evaluation process. To receive due weight, you must submit a recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable (do not submit a performance plan) and/or incentive award documentation (i.e. superior performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increases, etc..) Due weight shall be given to performance appraisals and awards in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3), during the interview/selection process conducted by the hiring manager.