This position is located in the Public Services Division, Global Legal Research Directorate, Law Library.
The position description number for this position is 11004.
This is a non-supervisory, 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
Responsibilities
The incumbent of this position is exempt from flextime and compflex time and is assigned to work a special fixed/rotational schedule that involves day, evenings, weekends and holiday schedules; and the selected incumbent “must be consistently able and willing to work evenings, weekends and holidays based on the operational and service requirements of the Law Library as a condition of employment.”
Responds to United States legal and legislative reference inquiries from Members of Congress, congressional committees, the White House, federal and state courts and agencies, libraries, the bar, and the general public. Inquiries may be received by telephone, in person, in writing, and by electronic means. Locates information, often of a specialized or technical nature, from a wide variety of published and unpublished legal and legislative information sources and electronic databases. Advises researchers on research methodologies. Directs users to the proper specialists, resources, or services within the Law Library and other areas of the Library of Congress.
Conducts legal and legislative research, and produces written responses to U.S. federal and state legal and legislative reference and research inquiries requiring tailored responses. Prepares reports, bibliographies, letters, memoranda, finding aids, informational brochures, research guides, and other written products. Gathers information from a wide variety of sources, both electronic and in print or other media. Identifies, examines, and evaluates major publications and trends in the law.
Provides online and in-person instruction to Law Library users and staff on the content, nature, and use of Law Library print and electronic resources, as well as legal research methodologies. Assists in the development of instructional offerings that educate users on legal research sources and strategies. Delivers orientations to groups and individuals on Law Library operations and services, and conducts briefings on the U.S. legal system, and functions and inter-relationships of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government under the U.S. constitutional scheme. These orientations and briefings may be delivered to Members of Congress; their staffs; U.S. federal and state jurists and attorneys; legal scholars; representatives of U.S. federal and state, foreign, and international governments; dignitaries; and students.
Provides training for junior reference and circulation staff, and legal information technicians. May be assigned to review and/or revise work to provide initial quality control and aid in the training process. Conducts analysis of training needs and services.
Develops professional contacts within and outside the organization in order to provide or exchange information and professional knowledge. Professional contacts are with library users, supervisors, library staff, other national libraries, library and information networks, information centers, experts in government agencies, associations, the private sector, and/or research groups. Motivates and influences clientele to fully utilize programs and services. Depending on Law Library priorities and requirements, attends workshops, conferences, seminars, or meetings relating to trends and issues in law and law librarianship for the purpose of professional development. Provides orientations to distinguished visitors and conducts tours, as assigned.
Surveys and evaluates print and electronic collections to identify currency issues. Identifies, recommends and resolves collection processing issues relating to assigned areas / subjects / jurisdictions of the Reading Room collections. Recommends alternative titles to and the removal of titles from assigned portions of the Law Library reference collections. Searches acquisitions lists for new titles and other materials in various formats for the Reading Room’s collection as requested.
Reviews collections on a continual basis and exercises care to ensure collection material is properly handled and kept secure to avoid loss or damage. Reviews a variety of foreign and domestic sources for information about available materials. Contributes to digital collection development and management projects, such as web archiving and/or compiling and organizing websites based on current public policy issues. Determines permissibility of copying materials based on the preservation needs of the material. Understands current and public policy issues in his/her area of expertise in order to develop collections that anticipate researcher inquiries and demands.
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.
Ability to apply knowledge of the principles, concepts, and techniques of library science to the organization and dissemination of legal information.**
Ability to communicate legal and legislative information and analysis in writing.**
Ability to communicate effectively in a library or information center environment.**
Ability to utilize information technology and online legal resources.**
Ability to plan and implement library programs.
Ability to interact collaboratively with a diverse group of people.
Ability to provide training and mentorship.
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.
For GS-7: Applicants must meet the requirements specified in paragraphs A or B below.
1. 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
2. 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.
Additional Education And Experience Requirements for Positions at GS-11
3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education in library science or doctoral degree (J.D., Ph.D. or equivalent) related to the position.
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 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 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 certificate of disability must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and may be issued by a State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, a Disability Services or Career Services Office of the applicant’s college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The date of certification must be within three (3) years of the vacancy closing date and must be submitted with your application. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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). Disabled applicants claiming Selective Placement eligibility must submit proof of disability and a certification of job readiness. If Selective Placement is applicable to you, you will not be considered without submitting this documentation.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
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.
