Position: Supervisory Librarian (Knowledge Management)
Location: Library of Congress
Salary: $148,484 – $176,300

Full vacancy announcement available on USAJOBS.

Summary

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) seeks a Supervisory Librarian for its Knowledge Services Group (KSG). The selectee will serve as the head of the Knowledge Management (KM) Section, responsible for leading initiatives to gather, organize, and share the institutional expertise held by the analysts, attorneys, information professionals, and administrative staff in CRS. Candidates with a Master of Library Science (MLS) or equivalent degree or experience are encouraged to apply.

Duties

The ideal candidate will have experience leading knowledge management activities that capture the institutional expertise of CRS research professionals and support staff. The incumbent also serves as a liaison to CRS and Library of Congress technology offices and communicates requirements for knowledge management initiatives. The section head works collaboratively with staff across CRS as well as with individuals in other parts of the Library of Congress on knowledge management projects, and to resolve issues.

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.

Supervisory Librarian (Knowledge Management) duties include:

Supervises a group of employees performing work up to the GS-13 level. Plans and assigns, sets and adjusts priorities, and prepares schedules for completion of work. Establishes guidelines and performance expectations for staff, provides feedback and evaluates employee performance. Resolves informal complaints and grievances. Recommends appointment, promotion, or reassignment and develops work improvement plans, recommending personnel actions as necessary. Provides advice and counsel to staff related to work and administrative matters. Reviews and approves or disapproves leave requests and certifies time and attendance records for staff. Assures that subordinates are trained and fully comply with safety regulations.

Oversees, reviews and coordinates activities related to knowledge management initiatives. Participates in strategic planning efforts related to knowledge management, including discussions surrounding strategic goals. Develops and implements project plans for knowledge-based enterprises. Provides briefings for senior managers and other stakeholders on knowledge management initiatives. Participates in formal and informal working groups and advisory committees concerned with knowledge management activities.

Provides technical leadership in knowledge management. Communicates technical requirements for knowledge management projects to CRS and LC information technology offices. Advises CRS and LC information technology offices on systems related to knowledge management.

Serves as a principal liaison between KSG groups, other CRS divisions and offices, and other Library of Congress units and offices to coordinate knowledge management activities. Advises stakeholders on trends and issues related to knowledge management and its impact on current best practices within the organization.

The position description number for this position is 428696.
The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area.
The incumbent of this position will work a flextime work schedule.
This is a supervisory, non-bargaining unit position.
Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement.

Position: Librarian
Location: Department of State
Salary: $89,834 – $116,788

Full vacancy announcement available on USAJOBS.

Summary

This position is located in the Ralph J. Bunche Library Division, Office of Information Programs and Services, DAS for Global Information Services, Bureau of Administration (A/GIS/IPS/LIBR/IS), in the U.S. Department of State (DOS). The Library comprises a major research resource for diplomatic history, bilateral and multilateral relations, world trade and international law.

Duties

• Administers a full-service program of outreach, marketing, and education to Department bureaus, offices, and posts to communicate awareness of the Library’s services and resources.
• Collaborates with the Chief Librarian to report on the progress of the library in achieving its marketing and outreach goals and objectives.
• Develops and disseminates a variety of communications materials and initiatives promoting library programs and services, including promotional campaigns, notifications, marketing materials, brochures, fliers, newsletters, etc.
• Coordinates with other internal Department offices and groups on joint outreach efforts.
• Collaborates with other librarians and program staff to design, develop, implement, and evaluate communication strategies for marketing and promoting library programs and services.

Position: Processing Technician
Location: Library of Congress
Salary: $56,086 – $72,907

Full vacancy announcement available on USAJOBS.

Summary

This position is located in the Latin American, Caribbean & European Division, General & International Collections Directorate, Researcher And Collections Services.
The position description number for this position is 426753.
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 or comflex work schedule.
This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.

Duties

Working independently, incumbent copies metadata into Integrated Library Systems using standard tools in accordance with well-defined and established procedures. Independently, performs copy cataloging and metadata entry. Coordinates the shelving workflow in the division to facilitate the delivery of materials. Investigates and interprets
authority records to ensure accuracy of metadata. Adds holdings to files and assigns copies to the reference or custodial collections. Independently resolves technical problems encountered. Works closely with others to resolve problems of discovery, inventory, and transit. Resolves a wide variety of editorial problems such as duplicate entries, additions, or changes.

Understands and applies numerous established practices in processing materials for electronic services. Completes complex metadata entry for LAC&E publications. Coordinates receipt and processing of circulating collection items for proper distribution. Maintains appropriate forms for recording and statistical reports. Receives, sorts and edits metadata
in bibliographic databases. Checks materials in and out as appropriate. Understands and applies numerous established practices, extensive library rules, procedures and operations. Receives and processes outgoing and incoming shipments.

Resolves complex collections maintenance issues, while responding to the full range of issues. Develops plans to expedite sorting and distribution of materials as they circulate. Demonstrates initiative in recognizing and solving problems, inconsistencies, and errors in identification of materials as they circulate. Independently recognizes when segments of the collection require maintenance based on the ability to identify/anticipate complex publishing and storage patterns. Performs primary collection security responsibilities, including verifying that materials circulated from collections are properly charged.

As needed, performs collections maintenance/preservation tasks by identifying materials in need of preservation or conservation. Performs established conservation procedures on selected materials. These procedures can include cleaning, encapsulating, re-housing, and labeling of materials. It can also include the construction and labeling of phased boxes. Follows the full range of library rules, procedures, and operations in order to maintain the collections. Follows safe handling guidelines in handling collection materials. Assists in the resolution of problems arising as collections materials circulate. Assists in the training and instruction of new technicians and temporary staff.

Identifies and retrieves items. Performs loan functions. Examines condition of material returned and re-shelves material. Performs basic searches of reference sources, which may include print, automated files, and internal and external databases.

Position: Library Technician (Iberian Languages, Cataloging and Acquisitions)
Location: Library of Congress
Salary: $61,947 – $80,532

Full vacancy announcement available on USAJOBS.

Summary

This position is located in the Iberia/Rio Office Section, African, Latin American and Western European Division, Acquisitions and Bibliographic Access Directorate, Discovery and Preservation Services.
The position description number for this position is 173746.
The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area.
This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.

Duties

Performs copy cataloging for a variety of materials and formats in an automated cataloging environment. Descriptively catalogs original materials where the bibliographic characteristics of the material are relatively easy to determine and cataloging decisions are made within established standards. Completes routine authority work; consults with librarians for more complex headings; and refers problems to librarians. Selects and assigns classification numbers. Performs content designation on newly created and updated bibliographic records. Performs database maintenance including modifications, updates, and corrections. Creates and revises bibliographic records, including initial bibliographic control records (IBCRs). Resolves routine problems and inconsistencies in the cataloging process promptly and independently, involving librarians or the section head on only the more difficult problems.

Independently performs all aspects of acquisition support work, which include the acquisition of material by exchange, gift, approvals, Copyright, and complex order creation and invoice processing. For recommended materials to be acquired, searches reference sources which may include print, automated files, and internal and external databases. Processes cancellations or adjustments to acquisition records. Assists in determining if material needs to be claimed and issues appropriate claims to suppliers. Sorts and distributes items not destined for the collections. Identifies items for the Duplicate Material Exchange Program (DMEP), for the National Agriculture Library, for the National Library of Medicine, for surplus, and for discard.

Independently records receipts for all formats (e.g., bound and unbound serial and monograph ink prints, microforms, CD-ROMs, special formats) in an online environment.

Shelf lists materials independently, adjusting procedures as needed and verifying that the class number assigned is consistent with the subject heading(s). Recognizes possible errors made in the cataloging process and then consults with senior personnel to correct the problem.

Communicates with a wide variety of patrons by telephone, letter, or electronic means regarding routine and non-routine questions on services to publishers and other specialized library services. Provides complex technical information in clear, straightforward language. Provides referrals to library and non-library services such as ISSN, Copyright, CIP, ISBN, U.S. Postal Service, Patent and Trademark Office. etc., based on an extensive knowledge of these services and the differences among them. Is called on to deal with difficult patrons or callers, e.g., library donors. Prepares acquisition acknowledgment letters, etc. Determines the best way of formulating requests and selecting and presenting information.

Efficiently searches online databases, such as OCLC or an integrated library system, to locate records to use for copy cataloging, or to identify duplicate records or previously processed records. Searches names, uniform titles, series, and subject access points on bibliographic records to verify their existence in the appropriate Library authority files. Performs special searches of various online catalogs to locate and/or verify bibliographic data for acquisitions functions. To identify the relationship of the piece in hand to the collection as a whole completes complex manual and computerized searches in multiple systems.

Independently uses automated tools such as Classification Web, Cataloged Desktop, macro software, and preprocessing software to process titles. Enters data related to production into statistical or management databases and runs reports as necessary.

Receives and accessions one or more special category materials. Logs materials into and out of the workflow. Distributes materials to the correct section, shelf, or individual staff member. Handles returns from the bindery. Performs end-stage processing for materials; creates labels for materials. Routes processed materials to the correct locations in the Library. Works closely with Collections Improvement Section or custodial divisions to resolve bibliographic problems raised during shelflist conversions, pinning-and-linking activities, and physical inventories of the collection. Follows a substantial number of pertinent instructions concerning the recognition and comparison of dates, authors, titles, etc.

Maintains awareness of deadlines and adjusts workflow to accommodate interruptions from patrons or staff with a variety of questions, requests, etc. that occur throughout the workday. As required, shares the workload of absent team members.

Position: Library Technician
Location: Library of Congress
Salary: $50,643 – $65,831

Full vacancy announcement available on USAJOBS.

Summary

This position is located in the Collections Service Division, Global Legal Collection Research Directorate.
The position description number for this position is 363669.
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.

Duties

Inputs, searches and maintains inventory and/or bibliographic control information for the Law Library’s collection. The incumbent ensures accountability of receipts by timely check-in and/or inventory of each piece received in the Law Library. Incumbent also conducts physical inventory on existing collection items. Proficiency in using information technology to process, manage, maintain, track, and identify a voluminous and highly complex acquisition and distribution system for all different types of legal material.

Applies knowledge of the full range of library rules, procedures, and operations to resolve a wide variety of problems relating to managing maintaining and securing a voluminous and complex legal and government document collection of approximately 2.9 million items. Demonstrates initiative in recognizing and solving problems, inconsistencies, and errors in piece identification and labeling before such items reach final destination.

Collates materials in a variety of formats and languages for making a preliminary determination on whether the set or series are complete. Creates item records in the ILS for all volumes collated for binding or filming. Creates online binding tickets for units to be sent to the Library’s binding unit and/or updates the holdings records to reflect newly bound or filmed material. Working with the collection, takes the appropriate steps to suppress issues sent for binding/filming from public display in the catalog.

Prepares items for digitization, including creating basic metadata and updating holding records to reflect new formatting. Independently locates items not readily available on the shelf. Determines advanced search strategies and conducts bibliographic and special searches in automated or manual files for incompletely or inaccurately cited requests or insufficient bibliographic data. Assists Law Library of Congress staff and clients with locating items by checking in files, such as the Class K Shelf-list and other automated and manual Law Library files. Searches the Library’s ILS to determine the location of the requested item. Reports findings on specific identification of items and other pertinent information, such as number and location of copies/sets, assignments, date recorded, etc.

Performs special searches of various computer, card catalogs and files to locate and/or verify receipt, location, and internal distribution of legal and government document publications. Ensures bibliographic and/or acquisitions data elements are accurate and input into software applications, reflecting item level control of the material.

Performs other duties as assigned.

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

Position: Library Technician
Location: Department of State
Salary: $40,883 – $59,246

Full vacancy announcement available on USAJOBS.

Summary

This position is located in the Department of State Ralph J. Bunche Library Division (A/GIS/IPS/LIBR). The library is the oldest federal library, founded in 1789 by Thomas Jefferson, the first Secretary of State, and houses books, journal volumes, microfilm/microfiche, rare books, special collections and maps comprise a major research resource for history of the Department, bilateral and multilateral relations, world trade and international law.

Duties

• Maintains inventory control of various publications such as serials, journals, periodicals, and special collections
• Assists in reviewing billing documents and identifies when additional information is required.
• Assists procurement agent in procuring materials through use of preparing purchase orders, or other procurement documents.
• Provides administrative support for Library events including, but not limited to preparing and distributing publicity materials, and providing logistical support for event set-up.

Position: Supervisory Librarian (Supervisory Liaison Specialist)
Location: Library of Congress
Salary: $126,233 – $164,102

Full vacancy announcement available on USAJOBS.

Summary

This position is located in the Latin American, Caribbean and European Division, General and International Collections Directorate, Researcher and Collections Services.
The position description number for this position is 431271.
The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area.
The incumbent of this position may work a flextime or compflex work schedule.
This is a supervisory, non-bargaining unit position.

Duties
Supervises a staff comprised of 4-5 librarians, GS-1410, with a full performance level of GS-13, and 1-2 library technicians, GS-1411, with a full performance level of GS-8. Provides program and project management as well as administrative and technical supervision to accomplish work associated with the Handbook of Latin American Studies, the PALABRA Archive, la Bibliotheca Podcast, and the 4 Corners of the World Blog. Creates program work, including establishing priorities, program strategy and benchmarks and assigns to staff. Monitors productivity, and accomplishment of objectives.

Assesses program effectiveness and recommends improvement of complex programs and systems encompassing difficult and diverse functions or issues that affect critical aspects of core programs at the Library of Congress. Develops methods and approaches to accomplish the overall long-term goals and objectives for the organization, as developed by the Chief. Accomplished in long-range planning, recommends and participates in developing strategies for implementing planning for major programs. Recommends short and long-range goals of the organization, develops detailed plans for accomplishing them, and oversees implementation and monitors goals. Determines if adjustments or changes in objectives or emphasis are needed in organization functions. Recommends organizational or process changes. Reviews past work histories and known future requirements and determines future resource requirements of the organization, estimating short and long-range personnel, budget, space, and equipment needs. Supervises program planning, communications, and specialists focused on collection development and digital forward reference services.

Plays lead role in developing and implementing a strategy for involving external contributors and partners in LAC&E services. Supervises librarians who will be taking lead in day-to-day management of contributor relations and activities. Plans, directs, and executes specialist operations for critical agency-wide programs, with national and international implications. Establishes the parameters for effective working relationships and information networks with partners, including public and private sector organizations and individuals. Analyzes and resolves complex organizational or program-related problems or issues in developing and maintaining relationships with various agency stakeholders in the government, private industry, and/or academic institutions. Formulates policies and procedures governing the organization’s outreach activities for application across organizational lines. Independently plans and executes major liaison activities in support of an organizational program that impacts many agency echelons and/or geographic locations. Develops strategies to ensure vital volunteer support is provided to the organization. Develops and implements plans designed to enhance relationships with targeted stakeholders.

Initiates and develops ideas for a communication strategy for staff to use in dealing with contributors and partners, the public, and external organizations. Lead national communication efforts so that the organization’s projects remain, or develop into premiere national references. Independently develops and contributes ideas, strategies, and concepts to the design and coordination of the development, production, and distribution of informational and promotional materials. These include bibliographic products as well as products developed from the holdings that may be in audio form. Serves as primary contact with various units, sections, and agencies to ensure the timely design, printing, and distribution that meet the organization’s requirements. Prepares and maintains production schedules and other control tools necessary to track the development, production, and distribution of informational materials.

Position: Research Specialist
Location: Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

Full vacancy announcement available on AALL Career Center.

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. We are currently seeking a Research Specialist who will report to the firm’s Research Services Manager.

The Research & Information Services department is critical to the firm’s day-to-day strategic and tactical operations. Our Research Specialists are highly skilled in providing actionable insights which are used to make informed legal and business decisions.

We are looking for a forward-thinking, proactive, analytical and confident individual with impeccable research skills, business acumen and acute attention to detail, who thrives in a fast paced, team-oriented environment, and is passionate about the profession. The Research Specialist will have strong interpersonal skills and will be required to form relationships with members of the firm around the globe and have exposure to all types of legal and business work.

The Research Specialist can work a hybrid schedule residing from our Dallas, Houston, New York, Philadelphia, or New York office. The hours for each location would be:

New York: 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., M-F
Dallas/Houston: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. M-F
Philadelphia/Washington, DC: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., M-F

Key responsibilities of this position include:

• Analyzes and distills information to provide actionable intelligence from internal and external resources for the firm’s attorneys, marketing/business development teams, and additional business services teams.
• Initiates and develops strong relationships with designated practice groups [Intellectual Property, Tax, Public Law & Policy, and Government Contracts practices] in order to actively collaborate with stakeholders, promote the efficient use of resources, and work together towards common goals.
• Monitor industry developments and curate intelligence in order to alert key stakeholders of critical legal and commercial events.
• Partner with practice group stakeholders in the assessment of resources, identifying opportunities and making recommendations for purchase and cancellation.
• Attend, initiate, and participate in team and practice group meetings
• Provide back-up coverage in the event of other department staff member absences
• Develop/Schedule and follow-up on training for attorneys, paralegals and others, including initial skills assessment and on-boarding processes. We utilize a variety of training media including in-person sessions and on-demand videos
• Maintain awareness of current legal and business research materials, techniques, strategies and resources; build research skills in new areas of the law and new technologies
• Assist in resolving technical problems and issues, as appropriate
• Undertake work to support ad hoc firm and practice group initiatives, as assigned
• Handle administrative and other projects, as assigned

Qualifications (Experience, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities):

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Master of Library Science degree and/or J.D. from accredited institution preferred
• Minimum of 2 years law firm, business or relevant research experience
• Exceptional analytical and research skills including familiarity with a wide range of legal and business materials found across multiple practices
• Substantive understanding of legal and business resources, its organization and availability in a multitude of formats
• Familiarity with – and enthusiasm for exploring – emerging technologies, their licensing methods, and their uses in improving research service provision
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including grammar, spelling and punctuation
• Confident and approachable manner when communicating with all levels at the firm.
• Desire to proactively seek out and disseminate additional information and analysis, beyond that which may have been requested
• Creativity of thought when seeking solutions, collaborating with stakeholders and working towards the firm’s common goals
• Energetic and highly-motivated work ethic, and the desire to constantly seek out ways to improve knowledge and processes
• Strong working knowledge of Excel, PowerPoint and Word, and document management systems
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, set priorities and see projects through to completion
• Demonstrates flexibility under pressure, and the ability to quickly and efficiently adapt to potentially competing priorities
• Ability to handle many tasks simultaneously
• Ability to work with a wide range of people in a team setting
• Ability to establish effective working relationships within the department, practice groups, office and firm
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with clients, vendors and others outside the firm
• Strong service orientation
• Commitment to professional growth