Clarification from the agency

This position is open to all U.S. Citizens or U.S. Nationals. Note: Federal employees with permanent status or individuals eligible for special appointing authorities may also apply to Job Announcement: 23R-SB-307342-MPA-SLA

As the Librarian (Resource Description), you will:

• Catalog materials for all library branches, including special collections and rare books (depending on skill level), and may catalog serials and electronic resources in certain circumstances.  Such materials can be highly specialized, complex, and in foreign languages.
• Apply critical thinking to the cataloging process with regards to the materials in the collection.
• Provide the most inclusive, accurate, and respectful description possible when cataloging.
• Perform authority control and maintenance for personal names, corporate bodies, series, and subjects in SIRIS. This includes the management of multiple authority files currently in use.
• Participate in Linked Data and other non-MARC metadata projects such as revision of existing records, addition of linked data elements, addition of FAST headings to bibliographic records, and revision of nonMARC library databases.

More than one selection may be made from this announcement.

Conditions of employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Investigation
• May need to complete a Probationary Period
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.

Conditions of Employment

COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS:

For the latest information on the COVID-19 vaccination requirements and its impact on your application, click on Smithsonian Institution’s Frequently Asked Questions. 

Qualification requirements, including one year time-in-grade at the next lower grade level for promotion candidates, must be met by the closing date of the announcement. See the 'Required Documents' section for additional information.

For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on OPM Website.

Qualifications

Basic Educational Requirements for the 1410 Series:

• 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

• 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 a 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.

NOTE: If you are using education and/or training to qualify for the basic education requirements you must submit a copy of your transcripts and/or training document with your application.

In addition to the basic education requirements above, all applicants must meet the following minimum qualifications:

Specialized Experience: You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal Service.  For this position, specialized experience is defined as experience performing original cataloging or complex copy cataloging, authorities maintenance or identity management and utilizing Linked Data and Wikidata projects.

OR

Education: 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or have been awarded a master's or equivalent graduate degree.

OR

A combination of master's level education and experience as described above. 

For all types of consideration, 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

For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4

Other applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

How you will be evaluated

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

Applicants for this position may be evaluated in multiple stages. The first stage is an evaluation of your responses to the online multiple-choice questions that assess your experience, education, and/or training for the job related competencies below:

1. Knowledge in cataloging complex materials, sometimes in foreign languages and/or special formats (maps, photographs, audiovisual materials, software).
2. Knowledge of serials and electronic resource cataloging preferred.
3. Knowledge of a wide range of duties including local library systems, policies, mission, and procedures.
4. Knowledge of and technical expertise in modification of standard library practices and adapting them to a variety of international cataloging and metadata standards, such as Resource Description and Access (RDA) and MARC.

Applicants who meet or exceed minimum qualifications will be assigned to one of three category groups based on job-related criteria:

• Best Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and excels in most of the job related competencies above.
• Better Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and satisfies most of the job related competencies above.
• Good Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements, but does not satisfy most of the job related competencies above to a substantive degree.

This category rating process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three", but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. A selecting official may make selections from the highest quality category (Best Category) provided no preference eligible in that category is passed over to select a non-preference eligible in that category unless the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 3317(b) or 3318(b) are satisfied. Preference eligibles who meet minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or higher. Applicants who have not submitted a resume in the USAjobs system and/or have not answered all of the vacancy questions will not be considered for this position.

Important Note:

Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the occupational questionnaire or other assessment tool for consistency. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is supported by your resume, you will be assigned a rating commensurate to your described experience. Your resume should provide sufficient information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed.