Arab World Area Specialist (Librarian) US Legislative Branch

This position is located in the Near East Section, African and Middle East Division, General and International Collections, Library Services.

The position description number for this position is 012535.

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 work schedule.

This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.

Responsibilities

The divisions in Collections and Services are the Library’s primary gateway to the collections and reference services dealing with the non-English-speaking world. Reference librarians in these divisions provide assistance to researchers in the culture, history, literature, politics, political structure, economies, humanities, and social sciences of these countries and regions. Clients include Congress, foreign and U.S. Government agencies, national and international academics and scholars, research and scientific institutions, the professional and business communities, and the general public. Librarians respond to inquiries that are received in person, by telephone, by correspondence and by electronic media.

Divisions have extensive custodial responsibilities and reference librarians are responsible for collection maintenance and preservation, as well as the development, bibliographic control, processing, and general custody of collections in their field of expertise. Reference librarians also produce bibliographic publications, online reference tools, scholarly programs and colloquia on topics in the areas of their divisions.

Reviews a variety of brochures, catalogs, journals, and other sources of items for possible acquisition in order to develop collections in areas of subject of geographic responsibility. Uses standard methods, techniques, concepts, and principles to perform assignments, which may involve materials in multiple languages and writing systems.

Assists senior reference staff in determining the quality and usefulness of collection materials. Assists in developing strategies for the organization, storage, preservation, and service of materials.

Monitors the condition of collection materials to ensure adherence to established preservation standards and specifications. Brings deteriorating items and those with special needs to the attention of division management. Orients users and explains procedures and regulations governing use and handling of materials in the collection.

Provides reference and instructional to individual researchers and groups where needs are relatively easy to determine from client interviews in person or over the telephone, or from written requests, and the bibliographic source materials are of limited technical complexity and are readily-accessible, i.e., found within the library’s collection or can be located within a database by use of standard search procedures.

Provides in-person and telephone reference service in a reading room. Responds orally or in writing to inquiries related to assigned field of responsibility. Searches standard databases where the information is relatively stable, such as for bibliographic citations of a general nature. Seeks assistance for locating materials that are not readily accessible. Develops knowledge of resources in other agencies or institutions in order to provide informed referrals. Assists patrons with specialized collections under the direction of senior staff.

Coordinates the acquisition of items that are of limited technical complexity, or easily acquired. Consults acquisition policies to determine whether items are appropriate for purchase, copyright claim, exchange, gift, or other type of acquisition. Examines recommendations to identify processing and custodial requirements and to identify out-of-scope materials.

Maintains liaison with recommending officers and subject specialists to coordinate acquisition of material. Provides proper purchasing information and correct bibliographic identification to dealers, subscription agents, vendors, overseas offices, exchange partners, etc. Reviews and approves invoices for payment for all formats of material.

Assists in preparing research guides and finding aids on specific topics of recognized client interest using standard search strategies. Assists senior librarians in revising or updating research materials.

Identifies foreign and international print and electronic resources in a field of specialty to address user needs that are easily determined from interviews or written requests. Provides reference and research services of limited technical complexity. Prepares and updates standard guides to specialized collections and resources.

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

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status

No

Promotion Potential

13

Job family (Series)

1410 Librarian

Requirements

Requirements
Conditions of Employment

No additional requirements to those listed above.

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 history, politics, and literature of the Arab world.**

Ability to communicate in Arabic and English.**

Ability to provide reference and research services.

Ability to develop and manage library collections.

Ability to use integrated library systems, applications, or other information technologies.

Ability to communicate in writing.

Ability to provide consultation and/or liaison duties.

Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.

Education

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 the minimum step 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.

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 [email protected]. 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 [email protected]. 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.

The Library reserves the right to fill a lesser or greater number of vacancies indicated during the life of this vacancy announcement.

Initial appointments, permanent or indefinite, to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period.

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.

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 X.D, at: http://www.loc.gov/hr/employment/msp010909.pdf.

To preview questions please click here.

Background checks and security clearance
Security clearance

Not Required

Drug test required

No

Required Documents

Required Documents

Current or former federal employees must submit their most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent).

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. The program does not accept certification from health care providers. For more information contact the Library’s Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity Programs at 202-707-6024 or email [email protected]. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM.

Benefits

Benefits

A career with the U.S. Government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Help
This job is open to
The public

U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

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.

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