Archivist

The position serves as an Archivist in the Preparation Section, Manuscript Division, Special Collections Directorate (SCD), Researcher and Collections Services (RCS) within the Library Collections and Services Group (LCSG) at the Library of Congress (LC). The position reports directly to the Assistant Head, Preparation Section who prioritizes work and provides advice on policy and technical problems. The incumbent is responsible for the organization and description of manuscript collections and the orderly administration of the complexities of archival functions, including the use of computer technology in relation to those duties.

As part of one of the largest manuscript repositories in the United States and in the world, the Preparation Section is key to the Manuscript Division's mission of preparing for reader use material that encompasses the breadth and chronology of American history, including the papers of presidents, cabinet members, Supreme Court justices, writers, scientists, inventors, business leaders, reformers, and prominent nongovernmental organization. Independently performs a variety of archival activities for a moderately large number of record groups that are related by administrative connection or by subject matter, including planning for the analysis, arrangement, and description of manuscript collections and assuming responsibility for the completion of archival projects. Demonstrates full understanding of archival theory and practice and possesses a broad knowledge of scholarly research and documentation practices.

Analyzes the documentation systems and practices of the originating agency, organization, or individual whose records or papers are being processed. Undertakes research in published sources to complete gaps in the available information relating to the subject matter of the records to be archived. Evaluates the significance of archival material in its historical context and applies evaluation in creating a plan of arrangement and description.

Exercises initiative on special assignments requiring knowledge of archival management and related fields of academic study. Interprets instruments of gift or deposit and related documentation to help resolve administrative and legal matters affecting the arrangement and availability of collections. Recommends criteria for the retention or disposition of material according to independent evaluation of its informational and historical value.

Identifies material for conservation treatment and coordinates the preparation of material for permanent housing. Directs the work of technicians and interns in processing collections. Instructs other staff in processing and monitors and reviews their work for productivity and accuracy.

Consults with collection curators, other specialists, and relevant officials in formulating and implementing processing activities. Provides assessment to management of the scope and quality of work performed by processing technicians, interns, and other team members. Develops personal contacts to establish and maintain cooperative work relationships in order to provide or exchange information and professional knowledge relating to archival techniques and knowledge of archival procedures.

Coordinates as necessary with collection curators and staff in other divisions relating to the transmission, handling, description, and storage of division material housed off-site or transferred elsewhere. Recommends changes in the practices, formats, techniques, and resources employed by the Manuscript Division in the preparation of manuscript collections. Reviews and monitors the completion of preservation projects.

Surveys internal collections;, identifying and inventorying groups of materials for preservation and physical security. Proposes long-term strategies for the preservation of collections. Helps assess collections and archives considered for acquisition by the library, with regard to condition, contents, scope, storage history, and other aspects pertinent to the preservation and long-term survival of the material.

Independently provides reference and research services in response to requests for information about records on specialized subjects or topics. Exercises a good grasp of the primary subject matter involved and of related subject matter fields, and a good knowledge of germane archival records in order to assist specialized researchers and other users of manuscript collections and archival records. In this capacity, substitutes on a temporary basis as necessary assisting readers in the division's public Reading Room.

Performs other duties as assigned. This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position. Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement. The position requires Occasional Saturday and weekday service in the Manuscript Division's reading room.

Conditions of Employment The position require the incumbent to Lifts material up to thirty-five (35) pounds and carried out duties that may require strenuous physical work, including standing for extended periods of time, walking, kneeling, stooping, bending, pushing and pulling carts, and reaching and lifting. A routine validated pre-placement physical examination performed by the Library's Health Services Division is required as a condition of assignment to this position. 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 Library's Health Office. 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.

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 preview questions for this vacancy.

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 [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 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 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. 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.

Please carefully follow all instructions under the How to Apply tab to ensure you are considered for the position. Please note, there is no page restriction to your resume, and you are allowed to upload a resume longer than two pages in the resume section within the application process. When the application system prompts, please proceed to the agency site to complete your application. 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 and upload it to your profile in the "Resume" section. 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 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.

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 one option that will electronically attach your documentation to your online application once you finish answering the questions in the job announcement.

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. 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 [email protected] , no later than 4:00pm EST of the Closing Date.

REQUESTS FOR EXTENSIONS WILL NOT BE GRANTED.

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 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.