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Technical Information Specialist

Department of Health and Human Services
National Institutes of Health
Office of Research Services (ORS), Division of Library Services (DLS)
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Join the NIH Library as a Technical Information Specialist serving NIH and HHS researchers and policymakers. Collaborate with colleagues to provide ready reference services at the NIH Library's Information Desk located in the Clinical Center and staffed weekdays. Provide technical assistance with the Technology Hub that includes specialized software for researchers, 3D printing, and a digital production studio. View this Introduction to the NIH Library.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
12/03/2024 to 12/12/2024
Salary
$68,405 to - $107,590 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9 - 11
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Montgomery County, MD
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
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
11
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
NIH-ORS-DE-25-12619867
Control number
821797800

Duties

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If selected for this position as a GS-1412-9/11, Technical Information Specialist your duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Provides assistance at the Library's Information Desk by performing ready reference services.
  • Responds to telephone and in-person requests from NIH researchers and staff using a variety of sources, including print and electronic abstracts and indexes, journals, catalogs, bibliographies, handbooks, directories, dictionaries, and encyclopedias, in order to locate requested material or information.
  • Using knowledge of collections and standard reference tools, is responsible for resolving nonĀ­ routine document delivery requests.
  • Develops and contributes to the provision of a program of instruction in areas such as the use of the software and tools available in the Library Technology Hub, scholarly resources, and Library resources.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship requirement or proof of being a U.S. National must be met by closing date.
  • Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation, verification of qualifications, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, and any other job-related requirement before or after appointment.
  • Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
  • Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
  • The National Institutes of Health participates in the USCIS Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). E-Verify helps employers determine employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their Social Security numbers.
  • The NIH maintains a tobacco free work environment and campus.
  • Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
  • A one-year probationary period may be required upon selection/placement.
  • This position has a condition for continued employment of obtaining and maintaining a security clearance.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for a Technical Information Specialist, GS-1412 position you must meet the Basic Education Requirement:
A full 4-year course of study that meets all the requirements for a bachelor's degree with major study in the subject-matter field of the position to be filled.
OR
4 years of experience that provided a knowledge of the basic principles, theories, practices, techniques, and terminology of a discipline or subject-matter field; an understanding of the standard methods, procedures, and techniques of research and analysis in the subject-matter field; and where appropriate, ability to read and comprehend nontechnical material in one or more foreign languages. Such experience is equivalent to that which would have been gained through a 4-year college curriculum.
OR
A combination of education and experience as described above.

In addition to the above basic requirements, to qualify for a Technical Information Specialist position at the GS-09 level, you must have:

Completed a Master's or equivalent graduate degree, or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or an LL.B. or J.D., if related.
OR
You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: 1) indexing and retrieving specialized scientific and technical materials; 2) utilizing automated library information processing systems; 3) finding background information on ongoing research efforts in areas long under study; and 4) documenting communications, hardware and software problems and following up on reports of malfunctions.
OR
A combination of education and specialized experience that meets the qualification requirements for this position.

In addition to the above basic requirements, to qualify for a Technical Information Specialist position at the GS-11 level, you must have:

Completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, if related.
OR
You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: 1) performing assignments involving the categorization, summarization, or location of scientific, technical, or other specialized information; 2) indexing and retrieving specialized scientific and technical materials in the biomedical field; 3) assisting in developing and testing automated library information processing systems; 4) analyzing biomedical articles containing commonly understood concepts and principles in the diagnosis and treatment of disease, and clinical research and information on new therapies and devices.
OR
A combination of education and specialized experience that meets the qualification requirements for this position.

You will receive credit for all experience material to the position, including experience gained in religious, civic, welfare, service, and organizational activities, regardless of whether you received pay. Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

To determine your qualifications and referral status, we may review your resume and supporting documentation and compare it against your responses to the vacancy questionnaire. Ensure you support your self-ratings with the information you provide in your application. We may verify or assess your qualifications at any time. Inflated or unsupported qualifications may affect your rating. Any misrepresentation or material omission of facts may be sufficient cause to end further consideration of your candidacy. Persons listed as knowing your past accomplishments or experience in your application may be contacted for verification purposes at any time. Verification may, but need not, begin before receiving an offer.

Preview application questionnaire before you apply: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12619867

Education

If you qualify based on education in lieu of specialized experience, you are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application packages. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Click here for information on Foreign Education.

Additional information

  • This position is designated as a "non-emergency/teleworker" position and the selected candidate will be considered a "non-emergency/teleworker" employee. In the event of a closure, you must be available to telework or request leave.
  • A one-year trial/probationary period may be required upon selection/ placement.
  • If selected, you will be covered by a bargaining unit (union).
  • At the supervisor's discretion, this position may offer work schedule flexibilities: [telework (work from home on a regular basis or ad hoc basis but reports to the office at least once a week/two days a pay period), compressed schedules, flexible schedules].
  • Visit our Applicant FAQs page for helpful information on the application process.
  • Visit our Total Compensationpage and this sample for a detailed look into the benefits, awards, leave, retirement, and other incentives employees may receive as part of a rewarding work environment.
  • A newly appointed or reappointed employee may receive service credit for prior work experience or active duty uniformed service that otherwise would not be creditable for the purpose of determining his or her annual leave accrual rate. All creditable service must be directly related to the duties of the position being filled and decisions to allow for such credit must be finalized prior to the selectee's entrance on duty. Recipients will be determined on a case-by-case basis based on organizational need, specific case justification, and budget limitations.
  • If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire.

How you will be evaluated

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

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

  • 1. Knowledge of library operating procedures, online files and processing procedures, system analysis techniques and bibliographic control standards.
  • 2. Skill in conducting complex literature retrieval, summarization, and evaluation from a wide range of sources.
  • 3. Skill in developing, testing, implementing and administering an automated information processing system.
  • 4. Ability to evaluate and improve the efficiency of operations and quality of products for library automation projects and make recommendations for improvements.
  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Decision Making
  • Flexibility
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Reasoning
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork

The USA Hire Assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

If you meet the minimum qualifications for this position, your application and responses to the online questionnaire will be evaluated under Category Rating and selection procedures for placement in one of the following categories:
  • Best Qualified - for those who are superior in the evaluation criteria
  • Well Qualified - for those who excel in the evaluation criteria
  • Qualified - for those who only meet the minimum qualification requirements
The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Applicants determined to be Best Qualified will be referred for further consideration. Preference eligibles in the Best Qualified category are referred before all other applicants.

To be considered well qualified for the purposes of the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) and the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must be able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry and substantively exceed the basic qualifications by scoring at least an 85 on the assessment and meet all eligibility, physical, medical, suitability, and all other requirements.

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