Chemist (Preservation Scientist)

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 seek highly talented professionals to join a vibrant and collaborative community. Your work here will have lasting impact on the Library and its users well into the future.

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Duties

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The incumbent works only under the most general supervision of the Chief of the Preservation Research and Testing Division, who may outline in general terms the scientific and technical problems to be studied and the chemical areas of opportunity which will contribute to the Library's preservation research program. Work is carried on with a high degree of independence and originality with little if any technical guidance. Results are accepted as authoritative and are reviewed generally for usefulness and degree of solution of overall preservation problems. Scientific contribution made by the incumbent has significant potential for influencing the preservation of library and archival collections worldwide.

As the Preservation Scientist, you will:

• Designs or directs the development of unique or leading-edge technology, instrumentation, or systems to meet specific scientific or mission requirements.
• Projects significantly influence agency or government programs.
• Serves as a technical expert within a specialized field of chemistry, namely, analytical separation chemistry.
• Develops methodology for separation and characterization of degradation products formed in the aging of a variety of materials of which library collections are composed.
• Calibrates and repairs various physical, chemical and optical scientific instrumentation such as high pressure liquid chromatography systems, gas chromatography systems, mass spectrometers, X-ray fluorescence equipment, various optical spectroscopies, microscopes etc., that are routinely used to perform the necessary analysis.
• Operates instruments using established SOPs and provides updates as needed.
• Operates sophisticated laboratory instruments and equipment.
• Independently plans projects to solve technical problems for which definitions, methods, and/or data are highly incomplete, controversial or uncertain.
• Performs a literature search to find any applicable or related methods and information about the chemistry of the materials being studied. Serves as a leading scientist in chemical analysis.
• Performs or directs analyses of samples that require technical expertise and/or use of advanced analytical instruments.
• Devises new or modified test methods based on the chemical, physical and optical properties of the materials involved as well as researching new and original conservation techniques and procedures.
• Conducts original and novel research programs to assess properties and measure effects of a wide range of physical, chemical and optical variables on the preservation of a variety of materials.
• Serves as a Library of Congress technical authority on materials preservation, conservation, and duplication guidelines and policies.
• Works with the staff of various offices to develop guidelines and policies relating to the preservation of paper-based, photographic, magnetic, optical and all other materials in the collection of Library of Congress.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

The position description number for this position is 012925.

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

The incumbent of this position will work a Flexitime 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

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.

Knowledge of routine and state-of-the-art chemical, physical, optical and/or heritage science methods of analysis.**

Ability to design, plan and implement scientific programs, projects or studies.**

Knowledge of the principles, concepts, and techniques of the material and/or heritage science discipline.**

Knowledge of current preservation and conservation research in the field of cultural heritage or material science.**

Ability to communicate and interact with others.

Ability to prepare reports, advanced data analytics and data visualizations, and written studies.

Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.

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.

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 [click to reveal email address] View email address on us.fitly.work . 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 Equal Employment Opportunity at [click to reveal phone number]View phone number on us.fitly.work or email [click to reveal email address] View email address on us.fitly.work . 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.

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.

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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.

Benefits

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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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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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.