Library Technician

Summary

The position serves as a Library Technician in the General & International Collections Directorate for Researcher And Collections Services.

Position description number 138328.

Indefinite, Not to Exceed 4 years appointment.

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

This position will work a flextime work schedule.

This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.

This job is open to

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.

Duties

Resolves complex collections maintenance issues, while responding to the full range of issues and/or problems. Develops plans to expedite sorting, arranging, and shelving of incoming or returned book, periodical, or microform receipts in the African and Middle Eastern Division (AMED). Demonstrates initiative in recognizing and solving problems, inconsistencies, and errors in piece identification and labeling before such items reach final destination. Independently recognizes when segments of the collection require shelving attention or shelfreading to accommodate incoming materials, based on the ability to identify/anticipate complex publishing patterns.

Makes necessary arrangements to rearrange or shift items in accordance with available space or participates in planned moves to achieve this purpose. Maintains current and comprehensive sets of materials, along with their associated advance sheets. supplementary pamphlets or pocket parts. Identifies and processes superseded volumes which have been revised, recompiled or replaced by later dated volumes or editions.

Files appropriate loose-leaf pages in their proper location within binders and removes outdated pages. Identifies and assists in the resolution of problems arising in filing instructions as well as addressing discrepancies related to the integrity of sets. Assists in developing work methods to expedite loose-leaf filing ensuring their currency for reference and research purposes. Performs primary collection security responsibilities, including controlling stack access and verifying that material taken from the collection is properly charged. Identifies, removes, de-accessions, and assembles duplicate and extraneous material for disposition or transfer to the appropriate library division or external repository.

Observes and arranges for the secure handling of materials. Assists readers with the use of the library's resources including the use of the library's bibliographic reference sources. Communicates with a wide variety of patrons with non-routine questions on borrowing privileges and the location of material and other specialized questions specific to the material. Exercises good public relations practices in soliciting information. Demonstrates an understanding of the demands and attitudes of various interested and affected groups who come to the AMED. Determines the best way of formulating requests and utilizes good judgment in the selection and presentation of the information.

Locates items not readily available on shelf in the AMED stacks. Completes special searches in all major and special catalogs for general and special collections of all types of materials, including hard-to-find items. Checks shelf to locate material. Checks to determine if item has been charged outside the library or to a location within the library. Verifies entry in the shelflist and/or Serial Record and consults the full range of technical library science tools, reference and bibliographic sources of all types, and the entire spectrum of printed and computerized card catalogs and files to determine accuracy of information provided by requester.

Prepares mailing notices to readers and others who have requested a special search on the availability of the material requested. Upon request will consult other sources to determine locations for items not located the library. Contacts requester to ascertain additional information or help as required. Repeatedly searches for materials not yet located. When an item is found, forwards a report to the requester and the item is placed on reserve in AMED.

Compiles statistical reports of cleared and pending requests, or other activities, and distributes them to the appropriate contacts. Works with search requests that contain inaccurate or incomplete information; performs bibliographic searches; chooses appropriate databases for requested materials. Uses a computerized tracking system to input, search, and manipulate data related to the assignment. Independently identifies and resolves malfunctions in hardware or software. Integrates new procedures into the work process.

Reviews operating procedures, library policies, and standard reference services to assist a wide variety of clients. Independently provides specialized reference services to a large, varied clientele. Refers patrons to language and subject specialists as needed. Obtains additional information through oral or written contacts. Adapts procedures, decides approaches, and recommends solutions to specific problems. Analyzes the results of applying available guidelines and recommends changes. Identifies and obtains typically hard-to-find documents, technical reports, and/or data based on written, telephone, or face-to-face requests regarding AMED collections. Handles requests that contain inaccurate or incomplete information.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

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.

Ability to maintain material in library collections.**

Ability to interact collaboratively with others.

Ability to use an integrated library system (ILS), as well as computerized search tools, databases, and other computer applications.

Ability to support library operations within a section or unit.**

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.

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:

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 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 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 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 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.

You may for this vacancy.

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 at or email . FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM.