Library Technician (Collections Specialist)

Summary

The Library of Congress shares its vast collections of books manuscripts photographs maps audiovisual materials and priceless artifacts to cultivate curiosity and spark imagination. We engage inspire and inform Congress and the American people with a universal and enduring source of knowledge and creativity.

We seekhighly talentedprofessionals to join a vibrant and collaborative community. Your work here will have a lasting impact on theLibraryand its users well into the future

Duties

The position serves as a Collections Specialist in the Inventory Management and Document Fulfillment Section (IMDF) Collection Management Division (CMD) Preservation Directorate (PRES) Discovery and Preservation Services (DPS) in the Library Collections and Services Group (LCSG) at the Library of Congress (LC). The Collections Specialist supports an array of programs in support of collections retrieval and collections the area of collections retrieval the Collections Specialist is assigned the most difficult special search requests which could not be resolved satisfactorily by other staff in the Division or Library. The search requests emanate originally from many sources including: Members of Congress and their staff researchers Government agencies the courts foreign embassies research organizations educational and learned institutions LC staff other libraries.

The Collections Specialist must possess an in-depth understanding of the Library of Congress classification scheme expert familiarity with the locations of LC materials and excellent knowledge of the organization and structure of the Library of the area of collections integrity the Collections Specialist independently performs a variety of database searching basic record creation update and maintenance functions in support of database maintenance and inventory control of monographs and serials published in a variety of languages. The Collections Specialist supports critical inventory programs such as the Collection Holdings Inventory Program and other Library inventory initiatives ensuring efficient workflow and throughput.

A routine validated pre-placement physical examination is required as a condition of assignment* to this position. (*assignment covers hire reassignment detail RIF etc.)

This position requires regular recurring physical examinations every 3 years. Health Services Division determines that the employee or applicant is medically qualified to perform the duties of the position and meets the physical requirements and/or medical standards as a result of the physical examination.

As the Collections Specialist you will:

• Receive requests with difficult bibliographic problems or that may involve highly specialized and scholarly research demands. Determine how far a search should go the sources to be checked and possible alternative sources to obtain the item.
• Search for requested items that are vague or not readily found using an extensive knowledge of bibliographic tools and procedures. Locate items not readily available on shelf. Complete special searches in all major and special catalogs for general and special collections of all types of materials including hard-to-find items. Check shelf to locate material. Check to determine if item has been loaned outside the library or to a location within the library. Verify entry in the librarys manual and online files. Consult the full range of technical library science tools reference and bibliographic sources of all types and the entire spectrum of printed and computerized catalogs and files to determine accuracy of information provided by requester.
• Respond electronically to readers and others who have requested a special search on the availability of the material requested. Routinely consults other sources to determine locations for items not located in the Library. Contact requester to ascertain additional information or help as required. Repeatedly searches for materials not yet located. When an item is found forward a report to the requester and place the item on reserve.
• Use an expert knowledge of the Librarys many databases completes complex manual and computerized searches in multiple systems. Databases to be checked include all LC ILS modules; OCLC; RLIN; and the National Union Catalog among others. Search and transcribe information from these computerized and manual files as they support the identification and locating of requested items.
• Compile statistical reports of cleared and pending requests or other activities and distribute them to the appropriate contacts.
• Independently perform a variety of searches basic record creation and updates in support of database maintenance and inventory control of monographic and serials material published in a variety of languages.
• Where necessary assist in the synchronization of workload. Review selected types of problems corrected by inventory contractors.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• The position description number for this position is 137514.
• The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area.
• The incumbent of this position will work a Compflex or Flexitimework 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

Conditions of employment

Conditions of Employment

The duties of the position require some physical exertion such as long periods of standing; or recurring activities such as bending crouching stooping stretching reaching; pushing loaded book trucks; or recurring lifting of moderately heavy items such as boxes of books or journals. A physical examination is required every three (3) years to perform the work of the position. After an offer of employment has been made and before commencement of duties the selectee MUST be physically qualified by the Librarys Health Services Division.

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 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 process and maintain materials in library collections. **

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

Ability to work collaboratively as a team member. **

Ability to retrieve material from collections.

Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.

Additional information

Althoughit is the Librarys 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.

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 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 proof or disability/certification may be issued by the State Vocational Rehabilitation Office Disability Services or Career Services office of the applicants college or university or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The lettermust verify that the applicant has a severe disability and must be dated within three years of the date of the from health care providers are not more information contact the Librarys Office of Equal Employment Opportunity at or email 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 unitswithin 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.

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.

Required Experience:

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