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Writer-Editor

Legislative Branch
Library of Congress
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in the Office of Public Information and Education Directorate, Copyright Office.

The position description number for this position is 414903.

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

This is a non-supervisory, non-bargaining unit position.

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

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
11/07/2024 to 12/02/2024
Salary
$117,962 to - $153,354 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
Washington, DC
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Not required
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
Other
Drug test
No
Announcement number
VAR002847
Control number
818194900

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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The incumbent is a writer and editor who composes speeches, presentations, testimony, and publicly released written materials regarding copyright and the Copyright Office, primarily on behalf of the Register of Copyrights. The incumbent researches and analyzes topics as necessary to develop complete and accurate statements and works closely with Copyright Office senior management and subject-matter experts to gather information and verify facts and policies included in written materials. The incumbent consolidates diverse submissions into a unified written product for the intended audience. The work requires a delicate balance between maintaining accuracy and adjusting the level of writing to the understanding of different audiences.

Working closely with the Register, senior-level managers, and subject-matter experts, the incumbent manages written content for the Register of Copyrights for letters, publications, testimony, speeches, and other materials. Collaborates with the Register and the senior management team on strategies for communicating the Copyright Office’s mission, policies, programs, objectives, and priorities.

Collaborates with senior staff and other subject-matter experts to convey information regarding copyright and Office activities and practices to diverse audiences. Interviews external subject-matter experts as needed. Develops and synthesizes final submissions based on materials obtained through research, including material submitted by others that the writer verifies. Ensures the language level is appropriate for the stated audience and the necessary background information is provided.

Initiates and maintains relationships with subject-matter experts to prepare written materials on behalf of the Copyright Office. Exercises substantial judgment in developing, checking, verifying, and synthesizing information, recommending significant changes in the organization, presentation, and factual coverage as needed. Considers a variety of approaches and comments and provides persuasive reasons regarding whether to incorporate approaches and comments. Determines the accuracy and adequacy of written materials, verifying that conclusions are based on facts presented. Explains editorial standards adhered to in the preparation of products to subject-matter experts.

For exhibits or special programs, writes and edits complex materials designed to interpret a variety of types of information. Develops, collates, and synthesizes final copy. Frequently, the submitted material is in outline form or written for publication and requires extensive rewriting, reorganizing, and editing. Ensures the language level is appropriate for stated audience and that background information is provided so the audience will understand new or difficult ideas and concepts. Ensures all text and labeling coordinates with the visual presentation. Recommends addition of objects or graphic elements such as maps or charts to enhance understanding of exhibit objects. Determines the accuracy and adequacy of written materials, verifying that conclusions are based on facts presented.

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 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 communicate in writing.**

Ability to edit materials for publication.**

Ability to interact collaboratively with others.

Ability to research, analyze, interpret, and convey information.

Ability to use information technology to perform writing duties.

Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.

Education

There are no education requirements for this position.

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 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.

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 X.D, at: https://loc.gov/static/portals/careers/documents/LCD-9-420.1%E2%80%93Merit-Selection-Plan_LC-Rules-and-Regulations.pdf.


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