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Supervisory Copyright Specialist (Records Research and Certification Supervisor)

Legislative Branch
Library of Congress
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in the Records Research & Certification Division, Office of Copyright Records, U.S. Copyright Office.

The position description number for this position is 085604.

This is a supervisory, non-bargaining unit position.

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

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

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
08/19/2025 to 09/10/2025
Salary
$101,401 to - $131,826 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Washington, DC
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent - Position
Work schedule
Full-time - Flextime, Compflex
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
12
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Announcement number
VAR003165
Control number
843604300

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 THEIR ELIGIBILITY AT THE TIME OF SELECTION.)

Duties

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The Office of Copyright Records (CR) is responsible for preserving, maintaining, and servicing copyright-related records in physical and digital formats. The staff of the Office of Copyright Records retrieve records for court cases and public research, perform certified searches and write search reports based on copyright-registered materials and other copyright records, and provide certified and non-certified copies of copyright deposits, additional certificates, and other copyright records, maintain the official records of the U.S. Copyright Office, and respond to inspection requests from members of the public or Congress.

Performs the administrative and management functions relative to the staff supervised. Establishes guidelines and performance expectations for staff, which are clearly communicated through the formal employee performance management system. Observes workers' performance and conducts work performance critiques. Provides informal feedback and periodically evaluates employee performance. Resolves informal complaints and grievances.

Provides guidance to staff in the preparation of comprehensive and objective reports (either in a certified or uncertified format) of research findings for diverse and complex technical questions on copyright law. Directs the division’s research efforts, suggests alternative sources or validates subordinate suggested sources. Advises staff on the most complex and unusual technical work problems. Offers direction and consultation regarding the most difficult aspects of reports.

Reviews prepared reports and ensures staff provides supportive documents in the form of printed materials such as circulars, slip letters, and other relevant information; also determines the appropriate fees have been applied.

Serves as technical expert for the division in processing difficult, or unusual requests for inspection, answers diverse and complex technical questions dealing with inspections of materials submitted for copyright registration, including deposit copies of materials in support of the registration, and for requests of certified registration certificates and certified copies of deposit materials.

Resolves the most difficult inspection cases, requiring extended dialogue with requesters. Orders deposits and records; conducts inspections; authorizes copies of deposits and records for claimants; certifies Copyright records, documents, and deposits; and contacts requesters to provide or obtain related information, resolve issues, and accept payment information.

Conducts inspections for sensitive or unusual cases of access, when questions arise regarding requesters' authenticity and authorizations, and when requesters' previous behaviors and histories with the Copyright Office indicate the need for a higher ranking official. Monitors requesters during the inspection process. Reviews the requester's notes as needed.

Performs various other duties as assigned.

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: https://www.loc.gov/static/portals/careers/documents/loc_supervisor_core_competencies.pdf

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.

This position requires access and use of high value and top tier collections to perform the work of the position. This position requires a Public Trust background investigation at the Moderate risk level.

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 analyze organizational and operational problems and develop solutions.**

Knowledge of copyright law, regulations, policies, procedures, and practices.**

Ability to communicate and interact with others.

Ability to communicate in writing.

Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

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.

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.

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.

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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