USAJOBS - Job Announcement

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This position serves as a Digital Collection Specialist and is located within the Digital Content Management Section, Digital Collections Management and Services Division, Digital Services Directorate, Discovery and Preservation Services, within the Library Collections and Services Group at the Library of Congress.

This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.

The position description number for this position is 385309.

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Reviewing applications

Open & closing dates

06/22/2023 to 07/27/2023
Salary

$64,957 - $84,441 per year
Pay scale & grade

GS 09
Location
- Washington, DC 3 vacancies
Remote job

No
Telework eligible

Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required

Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed

No
Appointment type

Permanent
Work schedule

Full-time - Compflex. Flextime. Maxiflex.
Service

Excepted
Promotion potential

12
Job family (Series)

1410 Librarian
Supervisory status

No
Security clearance

Not Required
Drug test

No
Announcement number

VAR002455
Control number

733116500

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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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Are you interested in joining a highly collaborative team-based environment working to acquire, preserve, and provide access to digital collections at the Library of Congress? Do you enjoy creative problem solving that will contribute to automating processes, developing workflows, working with large amounts of digital content, and making digital collections accessible? The Digital Content Management Section (DCM) is seeking a Digital Collections Specialist to join its dedicated, engaged, and innovative staff. DCM manages a variety of digital general collections content including content collected through the Library’s web archiving program, eBooks, e-Journals, digitized general collections materials, bulk datasets, and more! DCM maintains custodial responsibility for general digital collections materials, facilitating born digital acquisitions, conducting research and testing on digital content management methods and practices, and developing policy and procedures for the management of digital content. Our staff liaise and collaborate with a variety of staff across the Library. If you have experience with digital library content management and are interested in growing and developing new skills, we encourage you to apply. To learn more about DCM, read about our work on The Signal blog.

Serves as a digital collections specialist for assigned tasks and workflows within the Digital Content Management Section. Applies knowledge of library policies and procedures related to the assigned tasks and workflows in order to acquire digital collection materials. Implements, tests, and improves workflows in order to achieve digital content management goals for the assigned tasks and workflows. Consults with senior members of the unit to resolve problems or issues. Ensures that content for the assigned workflows meets the Library's format and metadata technical standards for acceptance.

According to the practices of the unit, acquires, creates or oversees creation of descriptive, technical and administrative metadata as needed for collection materials received. Manages automated workflows for ingesting, reviewing, describing, inventorying, and storing digital content. Performs or coordinates quality review of metadata elements for the assigned tasks and workflows. Processes files after ingest as necessary prior to storage. Implements corrective actions, including solutions to preempt problems, as appropriate. Conducts or initiates and coordinates re-work for files not meeting project requirements. Uses software and hardware tools to transfer digital collections received from various sources into LC systems, including both physical and virtual locations. Deletes or replaces digital objects; makes corrections. Utilizes software and hardware tools to assure proper storage locations and identifications. Creates and manages predominantly automated streams from acquisitions sources to storage on appropriate LC systems. Produces or coordinates production of derivative files as appropriate.

Applies approved digital content management technologies to digital content as assigned. Monitors indicators of preservation status of custodial materials as assigned. Takes appropriate corrective action as needed.

Assists in planning and implementing assigned portions of digital acquisitions projects. Suggests improvements to workflows for assigned content. Adheres to priorities and time-frames established by management.

Assists in implementing approved plans for assigned portions of projects, including recommendations on division of work between specialists and technicians assigned to a project. Tracks assigned portions of project workflow using software tools and schedules activities to move projects to completion, as assigned. Assists higher level staff of the unit to document and execute workflows. Makes recommendations for future improvements.

Develops personal contacts to establish and maintain cooperative work relationships in order to provide or exchange information and professional knowledge related to the assigned tasks or workflows.

Consults with supervisors and team leads to resolve problems or issues. Contributes to the planning and implementation of workflow procedures and provides input for setting production goals for assigned tasks or workflows. In support of digital content management, assists in the training of staff within the section and service unit. Assists others inside and outside the section with resolving digital collections management questions related to the assigned tasks or workflows. Creates and makes presentations to internal stakeholders as needed.

Consults with stakeholders to assist in implementing digital collections projects. Offers suggestions and advice on operational and technical problems. Serves as point of contact and provides technical advice related to assigned digital content tasks or workflows.

Performs other duties as assigned.

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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 library best practices and procedures for the lifecycle management of digital collection materials.**

Knowledge of metadata and metadata best practices for managing digital collections.**

Ability to plan and carry out digital content management projects.

Ability to interact collaboratively with others to provide consultation and liaison duties.

Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.

Education

There are no education requirements for this position.

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. 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.

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 ADA@loc.gov. 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 spp@loc.gov. 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.

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. Opens in a new windowLearn 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.

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 8.5, at: Merit Selection Plan

You may preview questions for this vacancy.

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.

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.

As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

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

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

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 spp@loc.gov. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM.

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

Please carefully follow all instructions under the How to Apply tab to ensure you are considered for the position.

You are required to apply online for this announcement. We are unable to accept mailed or emailed documents. You must complete the entire application process, including submission of all documents BEFORE this announcement closes. To do so, complete the following steps.

Step 1: If you do not already have one, create a resume on USAJOBS. Although you must enter your Social Security Number for USAJOBS, this information will not be provided to the Library of Congress.

Step 2: Review the Job Announcement. We recommend you go to the end of the Qualification and Evaluation section of the job announcement to preview the online questions that you will answer in Step 4. You may wish to customize your USAJOBS resume to ensure that it supports your responses to these questions.

Step 3: Click on the "APPLY ONLINE" button to the right of this announcement. Follow USAJOBS' instructions to access your account and submit your resume. You will be redirected to the Hiring Management website to complete the application process. If this is your first time in Hiring Management, you will be asked to answer questions related to your eligibility for Federal employment. You will be able to update this information and save it to our account for future announcements.

Step 4: Once you have completed the eligibility questions, you will be taken directly to the vacancy application questions. Answer all questions honestly and thoroughly.

Step 5: Hiring Management offers three options that will electronically attach your documentation to your online application once you finish answering the questions in the job announcement.
(1) You may select a document that you have already uploaded to USAJOBS for a previous announcement.
(2) You may electronically upload a document directly from your computer to your application. Be certain to review your complete application for confirmation of the document uploaded and click on "Finished" to be returned to USAJOBS.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you have multiple documents of the same kind, e.g. 2 undergraduate transcripts from different schools or 2 SF-50s, etc., be sure that they are all in the same file on your computer or in your USAJOBS profile before uploading them. If you try uploading them individually, only the last one sent will be visible in our system. If you have any questions about this information, please contact the person on this announcement BEFORE the closing date.

Step 6: Click on "Finish" after you have completed your application. Once you have submitted your application, you can check your status online through your Hiring Management or MY USAJOBS account. Your complete online application and any required supplemental documentation (e.g., SF-50, etc.) must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of the announcement. It is your responsibility to ensure that all documents are received on time and that the materials are readable. Failure to do so will result in your application being excluded from consideration for this announcement.

If you are experiencing any technical difficulty with the online process, you MUST CONTACT THE POINT OF CONTACT FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE. For all technical issues please contact jobhelp@loc.gov , no later than 4:30pm EST of the Closing Date. REQUESTS FOR EXTENSIONS WILL NOT BE GRANTED.

Agency contact information

Customer Service Center

Phone: 202-707-5620
Email: JobHelp@loc.gov
Address: LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
101 Independence Avenue S.E.
Washington, District of Columbia 20540
United States

Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Please review our evaluation process under Evaluation. You may check the status of your application for this position at any time by logging onto the USAJOBS "My USAJOBS" tab and clicking on "My Applications." You will receive final notification via e-mail when the vacancy has been filled.

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.