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Digital Film Preservation Specialist

Legislative Branch
Library of Congress

Summary

This position is located in the Film Laboratory, Preservation Services Section, National Audio-Visual Conservation Center (NAVCC) in Culpeper, VA, Researcher and Collections Services.

The position description number is 138467.

The salary range reflects the locality pay for the Wash, D.C., Metro area.

The incumbent will work a flextime work schedule.

This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.

Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person selected under this vacancy.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
02/02/2026 to 02/16/2026
Salary
$102,415 to - $133,142 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12
Location
Culpeper County, VA
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent - Position
Work schedule
Full-time - Flexitime.
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
12
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes - AFSCME Local 2910
Announcement number
VAR003255
Control number
856155300

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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Digitally preserves and restores motion picture film images by adjusting contrast and density using appropriate software and hardware tools to restore color, tints and black and white sequences. Determines complex technical requirements for digital reproductions of motion picture film including software packages and other tools. Scans motion picture film, paper prints using specialized equipment and software packages. Oversees the preparation for and archiving of the digitized materials in a secure and stable repository. Coordinates projects with appropriate personnel, ensuring timely delivery of digitized materials.

Provides training on the creation, preservation, restoration, and use of digital images created from motion picture film. Attends conferences and meetings to make presentations or for professional development to keep abreast of current trends and technology in areas of specialty.

As an authority in photographic preservation and motion picture preservation1 provides technical support for digital film and digital photographic preservation projects. Responsibility extends over digital projects concerned with the preservation, conservation, and reproduction of film and photographic materials of all types. Consults with staff from a variety of organizations regarding film and photographic documentation, laboratory treatments. Participates with management in the ongoing development of digital film and photographic preservation programs and developing guidelines and policies for the preservation, conservation and reproduction of a large variety of motion picture film elements. Prepares reports, recommendations, and publications. Makes presentations as requested. Serves as a Library of Congress representative to national technical meetings concerned with motion picture film preservation. Provides training in methods and techniques in the digital reproduction of motion picture films .

Develops criteria and specifications for contract services, products, or equipment related to the digital preservation, conservation and reproduction of motion picture films. Provides assistance to procurement officials in the technical evaluation of contractual proposals.

Participates with management in the continued development of film preservation programs that responds to the needs of the organization. Participates in the development of new, or adaptation or modification of existing procedures for specific preservation projects. Develops and conducts tests on existing photographic systems (e.g., preservation film scanning systems, film recording systems, etc.}. Performs all steps necessary to properly calibrate and certify digital film preservation systems. Participates with scientific research personnel to find solutions to complex film preservation problems.

Determines test procedures and the design of special test equipment. Tests preservation systems and components insuring proper calibration and performance. Test requirements may be hard to achieve or the item might be tested for an optional or new use. Test results are evaluated in terms of attainment of objectives.

Serves as a source of information and advice on program issues that require assessment of unusual circumstances or variations in approach and development of new methods and criteria. Serves as a mentor and provides guidance to film preservation staff. Maintains frequent contact with coworkers in the organization to render advice, consultation, and assistance. Participates in planning conferences with supervisory and program managers to provide necessary information pertaining to the program specialty.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

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.

Knowledge of the principles, concepts, and history of motion picture photography as it applies to digital scanning and restoration methodologies and practices.**

Applied knowledge of digital motion picture conversion and restoration principles, procedures and operations in a professional setting.**

Ability to provide advice, guidance, and training in the digital restoration of motion pictures.**

Ability to organize, plan and execute motion picture film scanning and restoration projects and related tasks.

Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.

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. 

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 Equal Employment Opportunity 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.
 

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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.


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