Three Positions: Washington, D.C.

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Position: Librarian (Acquisitions), CG-1410-9 (FPL CG-12)
Location: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
Posted: USA Jobs
Salary: $75,329-122,856

Summary: This position is located in the Division of Administration, Library Services Unit in HQ of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and provides responsive information services to Corporation personnel nationwide by ensuring that the most efficient and cost-effective acquisition method is used to procure library materials and services in available formats. Additional selections may be made from this vacancy announcement to fill identical vacancies that occur subsequent to this announcement.

Duties: At the full performance level, major duties include:

  • Acts as Oversight Manager for subscriptions and services working closely with Library’s technicians.
  • Responsible for ensuring that the most efficient and cost-effective acquisition method is used to procure library materials and services in available formats.
  • Directs the acquisitions workflow and provides technical assistance and guidance to the acquisitions support staff.
  • Resolves highly complex acquisition problems regarding the determination of varied information needs and priorities, the purchasing and delivery of information materials and services in particularly difficult circumstances, and the formulation of decisions in an environment of changing information delivery options.
  • Analyzes and evaluates cost and expenditure data to produces required accruals, variances, and budget reports.
  • Assists senior library management in preparing for the annual budget cycle.
  • Manages the integrity of the acquisitions databases, which are part of the library’s online integrated library system and provides support for users.

Qualifications:

  • Basic Requirements: All librarians MUST meet the following requirements for professional education in library science or possess equivalent experience and education. Applicants must meet the requirements specified in paragraphs A or B below.
    • A) Completion of 1 full academic year of graduate study in library science in an accredited college or university, in addition to completion of all work required for a bachelor’s degree; OR
    • B) A total of at least 5 years of a combination of college-level education, training, and experience. To qualify on this basis, the applicant must establish conclusively that the education, training, and experience provided a knowledge and understanding of the theories, principles, and techniques of professional librarianship; a knowledge of literature resources; and the knowledge and abilities essential for providing effective library and information services.
  • In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the specialized experience and/or education requirements listed below:
    • EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have completed at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the CG-07 grade level or above in the Federal service.  Specialized experience is defined as experience performing acquisitions activities in a library setting, including using an integrated library system or financial system for acquisitions, communicating with vendors, and resolving problems or issues related to acquisitions. OR
    • EDUCATION: To qualify based on education; 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education or master’s in library science or equivalent graduate degree, e.g., LL.B. or J.D., related to the position. OR
    • COMBINING EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Combinations of successfully completed education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements for the CG-9 level.
  • YOU MUST PROVIDE YOUR TRANSCRIPT(S) (unofficial copy is acceptable)

Position: Librarian (South America Section)
Location: Library of Congress
Posted: USA Jobs
Salary: $68,405-88,926

Summary: This position is located in the South America Section, African, Latin American & Western European Division, Acquisitions & Bibliographic Access Directorate, Discovery And Preservation Services. The position description number for this position is 457104. The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area. This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position. Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement.

Duties: It is a hybrid position that combines major duties from both the acquisitions specialist and the cataloger. There is a foreign language requirement for this position depending on the geographical area for which cataloging or acquisitions functions are being performed. 

  • Catalogs a variety of materials in an automated cataloging environment where the bibliographic characteristics of the material are relatively easy to determine, and cataloging decisions are made within established standards. Searches entries in automated and manual catalogs. Assigns headings to catalog entries. Selects and assigns classification numbers. Establishes personal and corporate names and uniform titles for inclusion in the name authority file. Establishes and recommends subject headings for inclusion in the subject authority file and classification schedule. Creates and revises bibliographic records, authority records, and classification schedules. Performs content designation of bibliographic and authority records. Performs research in the cataloger’s reference collection, online databases, the world wide web, and the collections of the Library. Recommends resolutions to problems and inconsistencies in the cataloging process. 
  • Provides services and deals with materials that are non-technical in nature, of limited technical complexity, or easily acquired. Coordinates proper purchasing information, correct bibliographic identification, and correct coding in the information system. Contacts dealers, subscription agents, vendors, overseas offices, government agencies, and/or exchange partners to coordinate the order process. Consults acquisitions reference material to determine whether recommended item is appropriate for purchase, copyright claim, exchange, gift, loan, or other type of acquisition. Examines recommendations for acquisition to identify processing and custodial requirements and to identify acquisition of out-of-scope materials. Maintains liaison with recommending officials and subject specialists to understand their needs. Consults acquisitions reference material to determine whether recommended item is appropriate for purchase. Reviews and approves invoices for payment for all formats of material. Determines availability of funds. 
  • Obtains, analyzes, and organizes information using standard reference tools and established techniques and practices. Analyzes and organizes standard subject data to determine its relationship to the existing collections, for preferred access points and the need for additional access points.  Analyzes material to determine subject content. Applies standard rules, guidelines, and reference tools and established techniques and practices. Participates in formulating plans for changes and improvements to cataloging-related issues.
  • Uses standard methods, techniques, concepts, and principles to perform assignments related to collection development support, with review by supervisor, senior staff and/or recommending officers. Assists in examination of incoming shipments to select items appropriate for the collections, in accordance with established guidelines. Assists in examination of recommendations for acquisition to identify processing and custodial requirements, and to ensure conformity with established guidelines. Participates in formulating plans for changes and improvements to collection development policies.
  • Works to maintain personal contacts and cooperative work relationships in order to provide or exchange information. Consults with the supervisor and cataloging policy staff to recommend changes and additions in descriptive and subject cataloging rules. Offers suggestions and advice to the supervisor on operational and technical problems. Collaborates with the supervisor and other staff in planning and implementing team activities including workflow procedures, team priorities, cataloging projects of an experimental nature, goal setting and strategies for meeting team production goals. Assists others inside and outside the Library with language, subject and cataloging problems.

Qualifications: 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. 

  • Ability to communicate in Spanish and English.**
  • Knowledge of library metadata rules, practices, and procedures.**
  • Ability to acquire and process library materials.**
  • Ability to use library software applications, integrated library platforms, and other information technology.**
  • Ability to communicate in writing.
  • Knowledge of the language and cultures of Spain or Portugal or Latin America and other countries where Spanish or Portuguese is spoken.
  • Ability to develop and maintain relationships and provide consultation and liaison services.
  • Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.

Position: Archivist
Location: Smithsonian Institution
Posted: USA Jobs
Salary: $82,764-107,590

The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo.  This position is located in the Smithsonian Institution, Office of Deputy Secretary and Chief Operating Officer, Under Secretary for Museum and Culture, Archives of American Art (AAA).

Duties: The primary purpose of the position is to perform the duties by applying archival assessment, description, access, preservation principles, standards, methodology, techniques, best practices, and concepts at the professional expert level. In this position, you will:

  • Participate in Smithsonian pan-institutional efforts related to archival audiovisual collection management, preservation, and access, including emerging efforts to develop a collaborative, pan-institutional workflow for scaling up audiovisual preservation of mass digitization.
  • Manage and coordinate the in-house digitization and reformatting of audiovisual materials as needed.
  • Oversee outsourced preservation projects including managing contracts with vendors for the preservation of audiovisual materials, budgeting, and developing statements of work.
  • Manage and document audiovisual collections management policies, procedures, best practices, archival standards and workflows.
  • Process archival collections, or portions of collections, that contain large quantities of audio and/or moving image materials.

Qualifications:

  • Basic Requirements:
    • A. Bachelor’s degree in archival science or bachelor’s degree with a major that includes 18 semester hours in archival science, history and/or in political science or government, and 12 semester hours in one or any combination of the following: archival science, history, American civilization, economics, political science, public administration, or government. OR
    • B. Combination of education and experience – at least 30 semester hours that included courses as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
  • In addition to the basic qualification requirement above:
    • Experience: You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal Service.  For this position, specialized experience is defined as experience applying current archival principles, concepts, standards, best practices, and methodologies to maintain a sustainable collections management plan for the assessment, preservation, electronic description, processing, continued acquisition, digital reformatting; and access of analog and tape-based audiovisual formats. (See full listing for more details).
    • Or Education: Three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.  
    • Or a Combination: Education and experience may be combined to meet the basic qualifications. For a full explanation of this option please see the Qualification Standards. Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are qualifying by education and/or you have education completed in a foreign college/university described above, it is your responsibility to provide transcripts and proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study. For instructions on where to fax these documents, see the “Required Documents” section of this announcement.