Cataloging Specialist (Problem Resolution Officer)

About the role

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.

What you will do

• This position is located in the Collections Management Division (CMD), Preservation Directorate (PRES), Discovery and Preservation Services (DPS) within the Library Collections Services Group (LCSG) at the Library of Congress.
• The position serves as the Cataloging Specialist/Problem Resolution Officer (CS/PRO) for CMD.
• The Cataloging Specialist/Problem Resolution Officer works under the very general administrative guidance of the Assistant Chief, consults with the Assistant Chief on matters of policy or changes in procedures, and regularly reports to the Chief on the status of projects.
• As the Cataloging Specialist/Problem Resolution Officer, you will: Serve as a cataloging expert in a subject area or format.
• Solve highly complex problems impacting access to the general collections and other collections as assigned, utilizing cataloging expertise.
• Problems to be addressed are identified through a variety of sources including incumbent's own projects and studies; referral from units Library-wide (CMD continues to serve as a clearing house for retrievability problems); and through Inventory Control Programs.
• Create and revise bibliographic, holding and item records.
• Identify items which require cataloging; items which are out of scope; and items for which a record already exists.
• Participate in studies of proposed changes in cataloging policies and practices and the introduction of new technology.
• Develop innovative methods of cataloging to provide quality access to bibliographic, holding and item records in a timely and efficient manner.
• Organize, develop, and implement plans for specific projects.
• Direct and shape the character and overall nature of projects.
• Oversee projects from conception through development, production, and introduction to the intended audience.
• Participate in planning the work of a unit, including formulating goals and objectives, and identifying opportunities for improvements in methods and procedures.
• Manage a variety of functions simultaneously and with flexibility to work under competing demands and deadlines.
• May serve on committees and other groups involved in investigating new technologies and their possible application to library programs.
• Initiate, establish, and maintain professional relationships with librarians and other specialists in order to share resources and information as well as to coordinate workflow within the Library.
• Offer suggestions and advice on issues related to access and cataloging practices throughout the Division.
• As a consultant, makes recommendations regarding major changes in program areas.
• Explain or present specialized or technical information to individuals or groups with varying backgrounds or levels of experience.
• Maintain professional standing through a variety of methods, including participation in professional organizations, which may include presenting papers at conferences, seminars, or meetings in librarianship and other relevant fields.
• Prepare articles for publication.
• Represents the organization at conferences, seminars, and exhibits.
• May collaborate on projects both inside and outside the Library.
• Assist clients in developing complex projects.
• Organize, develop, and schedule training projects for a wide variety of programs related to cataloging and collections access, primarily for the 100+ staff members in CMD.
• Develop realistic goals for the training session.
• Develop, prepare, and present classroom instruction that is well conceived and effective.
• Design, develop and provide a wide variety of training tools aimed at a diverse audience of LC staff.
• Develop individualized training plans and training manuals.
• Provide technical guidance to staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• The position description number for this position is 013198.
• 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.
• 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.

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.

Documents you must provide

• 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 *** or email ***.
• FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM.

What to expect next

Please review our evaluation process under Evaluation. You may check the status of your application for this position at any time by logging onto the USAJOBS "My USAJOBS" tab and clicking on "My Applications." You will receive final notification via e-mail when the vacancy has been filled.

Additional 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 ***.

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 *** or email ***.

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.