Overseas Librarian

Summary

The Library of Congress shares its vast collections of books, manuscripts, photographs, maps, audiovisual materials, and priceless artifacts to cultivate curiosity and spark imagination. We engage, inspire, and inform Congress and the American people with a universal and enduring source of knowledge and creativity. We seek highly talented professionals to join a vibrant and collaborative community. Your work here will have lasting impact on the Library and its users well into the future.

Duties

This position serves as a Librarian in the Information Services Section (INF), Patron and Network Engagement Division, National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled Library Collections and Services Group (LCSG), at the Library of Congress (LOC) and reports to the Section Head. The librarian provides library services and engagement directly to NLS constituents as the regional librarian for U.S. citizens eligible for NLS service, who live abroad. Duties performed by the librarian require knowledge of the wide range of activities involved in provision of library service and specialized formats. The librarian provides library service and engagement directly to NLS constituents and serves in the specialized areas of blindness, low vision, reading and print disabilities. As the Overseas Librarian, you will: Deliver a full range of library service to United States citizens living abroad who are eligible for NLS service, including reader advisory, outreach, patron engagement, and the development and maintenance of standard operating procedures for the intake of new patrons and for the separation of patrons from the program. Serve as a Reader Advisor and is directly responsible for recommending/selecting materials for readers from the available braille and recorded books and magazines, utilizing a thorough knowledge of these resources, of contemporary and classical literature, and of the reading interests of patrons served. Serve as liaison to NLS and to network libraries, as needed; produce information guides, conduct outreach, and NLS/INF special projects as assigned. Organize and coordinate assignments that involve complex and novel or obscure problems and/or special requirements. Correspond with readers to ascertain whether services are proceeding effectively, to solve any problems which may arise, and to answer all reference queries in coordination with INF team members. Use and maintain an automated circulation system to track patron information. Maintain patron reading histories. Coordinate with other NLS sections to ensure efficient and comprehensive library service to readers abroad. Provide and replace playback equipment suitable for use in foreign countries by overseas patrons. Provide day-to-day services to current patrons. This include receiving correspondence; reader advisory functions, selecting reading materials as needed, patron engagement, and ensuring that books are sent to patrons on a continuous basis. Maintain Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) patron files; verify patron's eligibility for BARD; approves/rejects individuals applying for BARD; register and approve third-party players, transfer BARD files when patron moves from overseas to U.S. service area. Coordinate with INF tours for visitors and orientation sessions for NLS and network librarians and make oral presentations to staff and visitors representing the section as required. Represent the section at NLS conferences, national conferences, and NLS exhibits. Prepare reports as required, including patron usage and service areas. Perform other duties as assigned The position description number for this position is 470552. The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area. The selectee of this position will work a Flexitime work schedule. This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position. Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement. Requirements

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 and information science principles, concepts, tools and techniques to perform library functions and carry out library programs.** Knowledge of integrated library systems, library applications, and other information technologies.** Ability to provide research and reference services.** Ability to analyze, plan, develop and/or execute library programs and projects. Ability to provide consultation or liaison services. Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.

Education

All librarians must meet the requirements for professional education in library science or possess equivalent experience and education. 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 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. You MUST submit a legible copy of your college/university transcripts to your online application. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at the time of application. Official transcripts will be required if selected. Failure to submit the required legible documentation at the time of application will result in disqualification of your application. Foreign Education – Education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed equivalent to conventional/accredited U.S. education programs to be acceptable for Federal employment. If your college/university is outside the U.S., your transcripts must be accompanied by a report from a credential evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE). Failure to submit a foreign education evaluation report will result in disqualification of your application. How You Will Be Evaluated

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. Other 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. 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.