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Supervisory Copyright Specialist (Registration)

Legislative Branch
Library of Congress

Summary

This position is located in the Literary DIvision, Office of Registration Policy & Practice, Copyright Office.

The position description number for this position is 085506.

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

This is a 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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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
05/01/2026 to 05/15/2026
Salary
$143,913 - $187,093 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 14
Location
1 vacancy in the following 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
14
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
VAR003342
Control number
867562200

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

INTERNAL EMPLOYEES - CONSIDERATION UNDER THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT IS LIMITED TO THE PERMANENT AND INDEFINITE STAFF OF (THE COPYRIGHT OFFICE), DUE TO BUDGETARY CONSTRAINTS. TEMPORARY NOT-TO-EXCEED (NTE) AND INDEFINITE NOT-TO-EXCEED (NTE) EMPLOYEES ARE INELIGIBLE TO APPLY. (EMPLOYEES MUST MAINTAIN ELIGIBILITY AT THE TIME OF SELECTION.)

Duties

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Manages a group of employees engaged in work at the GS-12 level and below, and provides technical guidance and supervision appropriate for completing the unit's work. 

Performs the administrative and supervisory functions related to supervising the staff. Establishes guidelines and performance expectations for staff and clearly communicates using the formal employee performance management system. Evaluates workers' performance and conducts work performance critiques. Gives informal feedback and at regular intervals evaluates employee performance. Resolves informal complaints and grievances. Drafts work improvement plans, recommends personnel actions as appropriate. Gives advice to workers concerning work and administrative matters. Evaluates and initiates appropriate disciplinary measures consistent with delegated authority. Reviews and approves or disapproves leave requests, time and attendance. 
Ensures subordinates receive training and fully comply with the safety and security provisions and regulations, and Copyright Office and Library Directives. 
Advances equal employment opportunity (EEO) objectives by taking affirmative steps to ensure affirmative action objectives are met and nondiscriminatory employment practices related to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, and disability are adhered to. Introduces nondiscriminatory practices and diversity enhancing measures for the unit under his/her supervision in the following: (1) merit promotion of staff and recruitment and hiring of applicants; (2) equitable treatment of all employees; (3) encourage and recognize employee achievements;(4) career development of staff; and (5) maximum utilization of employee skills.
May serve as a spokesperson for the Copyright Office registration function, as delegated, to explain copyright law and/or copyright regulations related to the registration process. Serves as an expert on matters related to Copyright Office registration systems, policies, and procedures, and works with other Library offices and departments. Monitors automation activities related to registration. 
Plans, conducts and directs registration research studies related to claims. Decides whether complicated or unique claims submitted are registerable. Reviews and prepares statements of opinion concerning appeals for rejected claims, and proposes recommendations to increase the rate of registered claims. 
Independently replies to inquiries concerning complex and unusual copyright registration issues and makes sure information is communicated professionally. Evaluates all types of claims handled by the area for copyrightability. Communicates in writing the results of review and evaluation including explaining rejections or cautionary statements. As appropriate, engages in in-depth research as necessary prior to responding. As an expert, provides technical advice to division staff. Answers difficult technical inquires related to registration (where applicable). 
Serves as a technical resource expert on complex cases including those involving difficult copyrightable judgments, multiple interconnected problems and interactions of legal issues and precedents. Consults the top management on the most difficult issues and problems, and conducts copyright studies to analyze current and proposed practices and processes, and recommends changes in work procedures and practices impacting the division. Makes determinations concerning selection for Library collection materials. Grants or denies special relief based on guidelines and practices. In consult with supervisor, may rule upon cases setting precedent, and which may directly challenge the policies and authority of the Office. 
Working jointly with top management, ensures uniform application of practices, and procedures. Collects, compiles, and maintains information on copyright practices across functional and subject matter areas. Coordinates division and work unit registration activities with other areas, and handles or counsels staff on how to handle the most complex cases in the division. Serves as a liaison across the three divisions and division work units in issues concerning subject matter or functional specialty. Examines trends and problems and makes recommendations to improve reliability of practices. 

Comprehensively evaluates various operational functions within the division to monitor progress toward goals and objectives. Recommends changing policies or procedures, as necessary. 

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

Conditions of Employment

The Supervisor leads his/her staff toward meeting the Library’s vision, mission, and goals by acting decisively, leveraging diversity and inclusiveness, demonstrating flexibility and resilience, fostering continuous improvement and innovation, and fostering integrity and honesty. To view the Library’s Supervisory Core Competencies click the following link: Supervisor Core Competencies

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.


Ability to supervise and/or lead and develop a diverse workforce.**

Ability to provide program management, evaluation, and oversight.**

Ability to exercise judgement and discretion.

Knowledge of Copyright Registration laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.**

Ability to perform copyright registration related work.**

Ability to communicate in writing.

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. All who meet the eligibility requirements are 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 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.

Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation. For more information, please see: https://www.loc.gov/careers/working-at-the-library/frequently-asked-questions/vetting-personnel-at-the-library/

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.  In addition, per Library of Congress Regulation 9-532, an appointee or internal selectee is subject to a one-year supervisory probationary period if this is their first supervisory/managerial position at the Library of Congress. 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.

The selected applicant may be required to file a financial disclosure statement with the House of Representatives, U.S. Congress, in accordance with the provisions of Public Law 95-521, Ethics in Government Act of 1978.

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.

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.


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Library of Congress

The Library of Congress serves the Congress in fulfilling its duties and preserves and promotes knowledge and creativity for the benefit of the American people. It is the nation's oldest federal cultural institution and the world's largest library, with more than 158 million items in its physical collections (including books, manuscripts, prints, photos, film, video, and sound recordings) and over 37 million items online. Located primarily on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., the Library is the home of the U.S. Copyright Office, the Congressional Research Service (CRS), the Law Library of Congress, and the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled.

Agency contact information

Customer Service Center
Phone
202-707-5620
Fax
000-000-0000
Email
JobHelp@loc.gov
Address
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
101 Independence Ave. SE
LM-107
Washington, District of Columbia 20540
United States

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