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Librarian

Department of Health and Human Services
National Institutes of Health
National Library of Medicine

Summary

NLM seeks both new and experienced librarians for several roles and positions. Work varies by position and includes applying terminology and metadata standards, cataloging (skill in either Russian or Chinese, Japanese, and Korean scripts desired), book and paper conservation, data management and standardization, digitization and digital library services, licensing and managing e-resources, processing archival collections, reference services, and emerging information and AI technologies.

Overview

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Posted today · Apply by 07/10/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 10, 2026
Location
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$70,623 - $133,142 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9 - 12
Promotion potential
13
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Not required
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Other
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
NIH-NLM-MP-26-12966582
Control number
874376800

Duties

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As a Librarian, you will:

  • Provide or oversee the delivery of a wide variety of services that require searching beyond readily accessible sources of information and diversions from standard practices and approaches.
  • Initiate and carry out special projects and assignments related to locating, cataloging classifying, and selecting, controlling or preserving and accessing particularly critical or obscure information through standard/automated systems.
  • Lead and participate in special task groups on cooperative efforts within/outside of the library to develop operating standards and to ensure that library practices adhere to appropriate national/international standards.
  • Collect and organize program activity data, including charts, graphs, statistical reports, descriptions of work flow within the organization, analysis of database records, electronic files and processing procedures.
  • Coordinate the development and design of training programs.
  • Lead teams composed of a variety of library staff to conduct special projects that require a strong understanding of library systems technology, databases, and software as well as operating policies and procedures.

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 qualifications requirements within thirty (30) calendar days of the closing date of this announcement, including time in grade.
  • 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.
  • Based on your appointment, a one or two-year trial/probationary period may be required. A decision regarding your continued employment with NIH will be made as you near the end of this period.
  • Position requires Education.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for a Librarian, GS-1410 position, you must have:

  • Successfully completed at least one (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 in any field; OR
  • A total of at least five (5) years of combined college-level education, training, and/or experience. This education, training, and/or experience must have provided you with a knowledge and understanding of the theories, principles, and techniques of professional librarianship; knowledge of literature resources; and the knowledge and abilities essential for providing effective library and information services.

In addition, in order to qualify for a Librarian, GS-1410 position, at the GS-09 level, you must have:

  • Completed two (2) full years of progressively higher level graduate education or a master's in library science or equivalent graduate degree, e.g., LL.B. or J.D., related to the position. OR
  • One (1) year of specialized 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) Providing basic library reference and research services to users. 2) Assisting in
    performing subject analysis, serials and collection access functions in a library or information center. AND 3) Assisting with projects
    regarding the use of library information systems, databases and software. OR
  • A combination of post baccalaureate education and experience that meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position.
In addition, in order to qualify for a Librarian GS-1410 position, at the GS-11 level, you must have:
  • Completed three (3) full years of progressively higher level graduate education in library science or doctoral degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) related to the position. OR
  • One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector providing library-related services (e.g., locating, cataloging, classifying, selecting, controlling, preserving, accessing content). This specialized experience includes responsibilities such as: 1.) Searching scientific or historical information in a library's automated systems to help clients. 2.) Analyzing and indexing technical, scientific, or historical articles to facilitate information retrieval on specialized subjects. 3.) Responding to client questions on the library material, policies, and procedures. 4.) Developing written material (e.g., training, communications) to explain library products, services, and/or procedures. AND 5.) Providing access or training on a library's resources (e.g., internal databases, electronic license content). OR
  • A combination of post baccalaureate education and experience that meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position.
In addition, in order to qualify a Librarian GS-1410 position, at the GS-12 level, you must have:
  • One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector independently performing all the major library-related functions (e.g., locating, cataloging, classifying, selecting, controlling, and preserving content). This specialized experience includes responsibilities such as: 1.) Searching beyond the library's internal material, systems, and/or databases to retrieve information on scientific or historical topics (e.g., preprints/gray literature biomedical research). 2.) Analyzing and indexing technical, scientific, or historical articles to facilitate information retrieval on specialized subjects. 3.) Collecting data on scientific topics to develop summary reports (e.g., narrative, statistical) based on a client's or library staff's needs with charts, tables, or graphs. 4.) Developing and conducting training to facilitate the implementation of the new policies, procedures, or library information systems. AND 5.) Providing suggestions to modify the library's information systems, policies, or procedures to improve operational efficiency/effectiveness based on clients' feedback.


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 or specialized experience from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

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/12966582

Education

This position has an education requirement. 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 package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Click here for information on Foreign 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.
  • At the supervisor's discretion, this position may offer work schedule flexibilities: Telework.
  • PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps should apply online to this announcement to receive consideration.
  • Visit Help Applying for helpful information on the application process.
  • 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: Reasonable Accommodation Information.
  • Veterans' Preference only applies to Schedule A (disability appointment), HHS Reemployment Priority List (RPL) Eligibles, HHS Priority Reemployment List (PRL) Eligibles, and Veterans Recruitment Appointments (if applicable).

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.

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:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Decision Making
  • Flexibility
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Reasoning
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork


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.

The position(s) advertised in this announcement are covered by the agency's Reemployment Priority List (RPL). RPL candidates will be rated, placed into one of the quality categories below, and referred to the hiring office, once veterans' preference is applied. · Qualified · Well Qualified · Best Qualified

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.

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 80 points on the assessment(s) and meet all eligibility, physical, medical, suitability, and all other requirements.

National Institutes of Health

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the largest biomedical research funding organization in the world. NIH is made up of 27 Institutes and Centers, each with a specific research agenda, often focusing on particular diseases or body systems. NIH employs approximately 18,000 employees in varied occupations, all supporting research efforts that improve health and save lives. For more information on NIH's mission and goals, and its 27 Institutes and Centers, visit the NIH website.

Virtually explore the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) Bethesda campus, learn about scientific research, and get to know NIH community members who are working to help people live longer, healthier lives: https://www.nih.gov/virtual-tour/.

The National Library of Medicine (NLM), on the campus of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, has been a center of
information innovation since its founding in 1836. The world's largest biomedical library, NLM maintains and makes available a vast print collection and produces electronic information resources on a wide range of topics that are searched billions of times each year by millions of people around the globe. It also supports and conducts research, development, and training in biomedical informatics and health information technology.

Several positions are located in the User Services and Collection Division (USCD), Collection Branch (CB).

Agency contact information

Douglas Bruno
Phone
240-406-8230
Email
brunoda2@mail.nih.gov
Address
National Institutes of Health
6701 Rockledge Drive
Bethesda, MD 20892
US

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