Three Positions: Washington, DC

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Position: Reference and Digital Services Librarian
Location: Congressional Research Service (CRS), Knowledge Services Group (KSG), Library of Congress, Washington, DC
Salary: $72,750 to $94,581

Full vacancy announcement available on USAJOBS.

Duties

Summary

The Congressional Research Service (CRS), Knowledge Services Group (KSG) seeks a Reference and Digital Services Librarians to join its Knowledge Management Section. The selectee will perform reference and instructional services, and will maintain and develop web-based information tools and services.

Responsibilities

WEB SERVICES

Facilitates and coordinates communication with stakeholders and collaborates with CRS staff to assist in the development and improvement of web-based information tools and services. Participates in the development and improvement of internal websites, including updating content and assisting in integrating new features and technologies. Applies standard and emerging practices of librarianship and other fields and disciplines related to the organization of information and management of information access.

Participates in and/or leads the maintenance of digital services such as bibliographic reference management, virtual reference, digital archives and repositories. Organizes information to improve access and retrieval.

DIGITAL SERVICES PROJECTS

Contributes to the development or enhancement of information tools to support CRS’s research activities, identifies project-related issues or problems, formulates requirements for tools and systems to address these needs, and liaises with information technology specialists regarding incorporation of these requirements into new or enhanced information systems.

Participates in digital content and knowledge management projects. Assists with ongoing assessment of CRS’s information services through data gathering and analysis, and exploratory research on standard storage and access options and preservation strategies.  Participates in research and evaluation, and in the planning, design, development, testing, and implementation of new digital services.

Keeps abreast of developments affecting knowledge management, metadata, and information retrieval.

INSTRUCTIONAL AND RESEARCH SERVICES

Provides electronic and print research and reference services. Promotes the use of electronic research materials by staff and coordinates the development of training guides (e.g., library tutorials, web-based instruction, and web pages). Identifies information resources to respond to research needs, instructs clients in the use of digital resources in face-to-face and classroom settings, updates documentation related to content administration and management, and assists with client outreach activities.

Develops and maintains a broad knowledge of CRS information resources, current events, research activities, and research resources. Integrates this knowledge into designing new tools and technology or facilitating or enhancing use of current tools and technology.

Candidates with a Master of Library Science (MLS) or equivalent degree or experience; knowledge of current and emerging practices of librarianship or other fields and disciplines related to the organization of information; and an understanding of the principles of information management, metadata, and information retrieval are encouraged to apply.

CRS works exclusively for the United States Congress, providing policy and legal analysis to committees and Members of both the House and Senate, regardless of party affiliation. As a legislative branch agency within the Library of Congress, CRS has been a valued and respected resource on Capitol Hill for more than a century.

CRS is well known for analysis that is authoritative, confidential, objective, and nonpartisan. Its highest priority is to ensure that Congress has immediate access to the nation’s best thinking on public policy issues of interest to its Members and Committees.

The selectee will work a 40-hour week and may be required to provide evening and Saturday reference desk coverage, including Monday through Thursday, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Saturday work is required only when Congress is in session). The remaining work hours (non-evening/Saturday) will be determined based on workload and coverage needs, and will contribute to the total of 40 hours per week.

Position: Librarian (Research Specialist)
Location: Congressional Research Service (CRS) Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade Division (FDT), Research & Library Services Section, Library of Congress, Washington, DC
Salary: $72,750 to $94,581 

Full vacancy announcement available on USAJOBS.

Summary

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade Division (FDT), Research & Library Services Section seeks a Research Librarian. The section broadly supports the work of Congress in issue areas including defense management and budget; defense policy and arms control, foreign policy and global issues, international trade and finance; the Middle East and Africa; Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Responsibilities

This Research Librarian position will provide research and library services to CRS policy analysts and congressional clients, focusing on foreign affairs.

Candidates with a Master of Library Science (MLS) or equivalent degree and background working in a library, information center, or research organization are encouraged to apply. Previous experience with public speaking in an instructional capacity is desired.

CRS works exclusively for the United States Congress, providing policy and legal analysis to committees and Members of both the House and Senate, regardless of party affiliation. As a legislative branch agency within the Library of Congress, CRS has been a valued and respected resource on Capitol Hill for more than a century.

CRS is well known for analysis that is authoritative, confidential, objective, and nonpartisan. Its highest priority is to ensure that Congress has immediate access to the nation’s best thinking on public policy issues of interest to its Members and Committees.

Duties

Analyzes and solves research problems within designated issue areas, often under deadlines. Factors that affect the complexity of these problems include novelty, the difficulty in locating authoritative information, and the specialized nature of the issue area.

Conducts research projects for congressional and internal clients that often require substantial knowledge of foreign policy and global affairs. Identifies, proposes, develops, and executes specialized research projects for clients. Collaborates and consults with internal and external subject specialists to develop and improve the projects. Uses specialized knowledge to negotiate with clients on the substance of research projects, which may include developing an array of different options and facilitating decisions related to sources, methodology, and form of a final product. Executes research methodologies and, in consultation with internal and external stakeholders, revises those methodologies as needed.

Designs and writes products describing the findings of specialized research projects and that may include abstracts, methodological descriptions, summaries, and tables. Authors or co-authors, in collaboration with analysts/attorneys and librarians, timely requested or anticipatory products. Uses and provides peer review of products. Updates own and others’ products. Works within a multi-level review process to ensure accuracy, appropriate scope, adherence to organizational policies and values, and responsiveness of all products. Delivers products to clients in writing, by phone, and in person.

Develops and maintains knowledge of the content in, and methods for accessing the content of, general and specialized research resources. Identifies, tests, and evaluates general and specialized research resources; performs market analyses on competing resources; recommends research resources for purchase or renewal; promotes the use of research resources by congressional and internal clients; and provides training and instruction to congressional and internal clients on research resources, including on relevant applications, features, and value in relation to other available resources.

Position: United States Institute of Peace Librarian
Location: George Washington University Libraries & Academic Innovation, Washington, DC

Full vacancy announcement available on ALA Joblist.

Description

APPOINTMENT RANK: This is a part-time (20 hours/week), Librarian I/II limited-term appointment. Continued employment, beyond June 30, 2022, and future salary is dependent on grant funded availability.

POSITION DESCRIPTION: Under the supervision of a Director of Research Services, the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) Librarian is a member of the Research and User Services Division of George Washington University Libraries & Academic Innovation (GWLAI). The USIP Librarian serves as GWLAI’s primary liaison and point of contact for Visiting Research Scholars from USIP. The incumbent will provide a variety of services and support to USIP’s Visiting Research Scholars and other members of the GW university community, including, but not limited to:

  • Facilitate access to the library and the library’s resources for USIP’s Visiting Research Scholars.
  • Provide basic research and reference assistance (online and in-person).
  • Develop and offer training and other instruction sessions on library resources and research.
  • Hold individual, in-depth research consultations.
  • Develop and maintain research guides and other web-based research and instruction tools.
  • Conduct outreach and distribute relevant information about library resources and services to USIP.
  • Advise and support collection development as needed in subjects relevant to USIP research.

The USIP Librarian may begin working remotely, but will eventually work at the Gelman Library at the university’s Foggy Bottom campus in Washington, D.C., once the university and library resume in-person operations. The incumbent may perform other related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Enrolled in or have completed a Master’s degree program in library and information science from an American Library Association-accredited program or equivalent.
  • Ability to work creatively and independently as well as collaboratively and as part of a team in an environment committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
  • Effective oral and written communication skills.
  • Effective interpersonal skills and service-orientation.
  • Excellent time management skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • One-to-two years of library experience, including experience with research/reference and instruction.
  • Degree or background in political science, international affairs, or area studies.

SALARY AND OTHER BENEFITS:
Rank and salary are contingent upon qualifications and are competitive for DC-area academic libraries. The benefits package includes: (11) days/year paid annual leave; (12) days/year paid sick leave; paid winter break; (7) other paid holidays; medical, dental, and vision; 401(A) retirement plan, 4% base and GW will match 150% of the first 4% of employee 403(B) contributions, up to a maximum of 6% of eligible compensation; tuition assistance; and basic life insurance. For benefit details, please visit https://benefits.gwu.edu/.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
To be considered, please complete an online application at https://www.gwu.jobs/postings/82495, upload a cover letter that includes an assessment of skills related to basic qualifications, and a curriculum vitae. Only complete applications will be considered. Review of applications will begin on June 21, 2021 and will continue until the position is filled. Employment offers are contingent on the satisfactory outcome of a standard background screening.

The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

THE UNIVERSITY AND GW LIBRARIES & ACADEMIC INNOVATION (GWLAI):
The George Washington University is the largest research university in the nation’s capital and is located in the heart of Washington, D.C. GW offers undergraduate and graduate programs in many disciplines and currently enrolls approximately 25,000 students in ten colleges and schools at three campuses in the District of Columbia and Virginia. GW Libraries supports the teaching, learning, and research goals of the GW university community, and is a member of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), Washington Research Library Consortium (WRLC), the Chesapeake Information and Research Library Alliance, and the Northeast Research Libraries Consortium. For more information on the university and GW Libraries, visit http://library.gwu.edu/.

UNITED STATES INSTITUTE OF PEACE:
Located a few blocks from GW’s Foggy Bottom campus, the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) “is a national, nonpartisan, independent institute, founded by Congress and dedicated to the proposition that a world without violent conflict is possible, practical, and essential for U.S. and global security. In conflict zones abroad, the Institute works with local partners to prevent, mitigate, and resolve violent conflict. To reduce future crises and the need for costly interventions, USIP works with governments and civil societies to build local capacities to manage conflict peacefully. The Institute pursues its mission by linking research, policy, training, analysis, and direct action to support those who are working to build a more peaceful, inclusive world.” For more information on USIP, visit https://www.usip.org/.