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Librarian (Electronic Resources)

Legislative Branch
Library of Congress
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The Congressional Research Service (CRS), Knowledge Services Group (KSG) seeks an Electronic Resources Librarian to join its Acquisition and Collections Section. The selectee will play a critical role in manage electronic resources, which includes facilitating the work of the CRS Research Materials Committee.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
04/20/2023 to 05/11/2023
Salary
$112,015 to - $145,617 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
Washington
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-Compflex.
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
13
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Announcement number
VAR002393
Control number
720855100

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens

Duties

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Electronic Resources Evaluation and Management

The incumbent reviews and analyzes a wide variety of complicated factors in evaluating existing and emerging electronic resources to determine the feasibility of their continued use, and/or potential removal from or addition to CRS’s digital offerings to users. For existing resources in CRS, the incumbent gathers and analyzes data on usage, cost and other points in order to make recommendations to management. Manages all user accounts that require a password for CRS division staff. Guides and directs acquisition librarians and library technicians who may provide limited assistance in managing user accounts. Coordinates with vendors to provide training programs for staff related to CRS and LC electronic resources. May also develop training programs for electronic resources and provide training directly to users. Prepares user documentation guides, fact sheets, Q&As, and newsletters. Resolves problems regarding user access and online database use. Provides technical expertise for the implementation, maintenance, and enhancement of electronic resources.

Consultation and Liaison Services

Serves as an expert regarding electronic resources and shares such information with CRS staff (e.g., how to make the best use of a particular resource; how to identify other resources that might have similar or better information; how to conduct advanced use/searches within an electronic resource, etc.). Coordinates with staff within CRS and other areas of LC, as appropriate. Initiates, establishes, and maintains professional relationships with analysts, librarians and other specialists in order to share resources and information about electronic resources. As a consultant, makes recommendations regarding major changes in subject areas (e.g., a major change in the coverage of one of our subscription products). Explains or presents specialized or technical information to individuals or groups with varying backgrounds or levels of experience. Serves as a member of the Library-wide Electronic Resources Management Group (ERMG) representing CRS and may participate on other CRS/Library committees and working groups.

CRS Collections Development

The incumbent interprets and advises on the contents of a collection, both catalogued and uncatalogued, covering current and retrospective items. Develops, recommends, and/or revises collections development policies. Reviews publishing trends in the electronic resources market to identify new resources, sources and technologies not already in the collections as well as enhancements to technological capabilities of products already in the collections. Plans and develops programs to fill gaps and augment collections to improve services to CRS and where appropriate, LC clients. Develops and maintains services and provides guidance to facilitate access to resources in CRS’s onsite and remote locations. Coordinates with CRS divisions to select new information products for the collection. Provides analysis of electronic resource usage to determine the need for new subscriptions and renewals. Informs CRS staff when material is available through different acquisition methods, including Copyright Special Relief agreements and copyright deposit. Evaluates the quality and usefulness of materials acquired from different sources. Arranges for trials of electronic resources within CRS and in other areas of LC to determine whether they should be added to the CRS collection. Compiles and analyzes data about the usage of electronic resources. Prepares justifications for renewals, and the acquisition of new or additional materials for the collection.

Automated Systems Implementation

Participates in the operation, maintenance, and improvement of the Library’s electronic resources management system (ERMS) by representing CRS interests concerning how information is displayed. Coordinates updates to the ERMS with LC and CRS staff. Initiates projects with OCIO to provide/support the single sign-on convention for CRS resources as feasible and appropriate. Participates as a member of the project team in the implementation of the Library Collection Access Platform, the [planned] next-generation LC system project, which is a replacement for the Library’s public-facing public access catalog. Analyzes user requirements for new systems and services.

The position description number for this position is 431182.

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

The incumbent of this position will work a flextime or compflex work schedule.

This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.

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

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 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 evaluate and manage electronic collections**
  • Ability to develop electronic collections**
  • Ability to interact collaboratively with others**
  • Ability to implement systems for electronic resource management
  • Ability to solve problems and make decisions
  • Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing

Education

All librarians must meet the requirements for professional education in library science or possess equivalent experience and education.

A. Completion of 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;

Or

B. A total of at least 5 years of a combination of college-level education, training, and experience. To qualify on this basis, the applicant must establish conclusively that the education, training, and experience provided a knowledge and understanding of the theories, principles, and techniques of professional librarianship; a knowledge of literature resources; and the knowledge and abilities essential for providing effective library and information services.

You must submit a legible copy of your college/university transcripts to your online application. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at the time of application. Official transcripts will be required if selected. Failure to submit the required legible documentation at the time of application will result in disqualification of your application.

Foreign Education – Education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed equivalent to conventional/accredited U.S. education programs to be acceptable for Federal employment. If your college/university is outside the U.S., your transcripts must be accompanied by a report from a credential evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE). Failure to submit a foreign education evaluation report will result in disqualification of your application.

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. 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.

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 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.

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.

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 8.5, at: Merit Selection Plan


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