Summary This position is located in the General and International Collections Directorate, Researcher and Collections Services. The position description number for this position is 447802. 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. This position requires a public trust background check. Responsibilities Serves as a subject-matter specialist as assigned and called on to evaluate and select materials for the library’s collection in those assigned subject areas. Reviews all relevant sources of items for possible acquisition to develop collections in areas of subject and/or geographic responsibility. Supports collections development, print and digital, aligning them with the needs of current researchers, and with collection policies intended to sustain the growth of a universal collection. Helps balance new acquisitions with responsible stewardship of existing collections while building a more diverse and inclusive record for future generations. Acquires material of underrepresented perspectives and voices in the Library’s collections to ensure diverse authorship, points of view, cultural identities, and other historical or cultural factors. Determines the quality and usefulness of materials acquired from worldwide sources. Interprets the contents and advises on the organization and presentation of both current and retrospective collections in a multiplicity of formats. Plans and executes a strategy for storage, preservation and service. Monitors the condition of collection materials to ensure adherence to established preservation standards and specifications. Develops comprehensive plans with conservation specialists, to provide appropriate treatment for deteriorating items and those requiring special attention. Develops and monitors procedures for orienting users and explaining procedures and regulations governing use and handling of materials in the collection. Coordinates the acquisition of complex items not easily acquired, through the online acquisition process. Identifies processing and custodial requirements and to out-of-scope materials. Maintains liaison with other recommending officers and subject specialists to coordinate acquisition of materials within and across divisions. Enables access, discovery, dissemination, and use of collections and resources, current and historical, analog and digital, for all users. Provides in-person and telephone reference, research, advisory, evaluative and instructional services in a reading room setting and through reference desk rotation to individuals and groups. Utilizes technologies such as Ask-a-Librarian, email, chat, social media, and video conferencing to provide research and reference services. Responds to a full range of inquiries, including those in new or highly specialized fields of knowledge and those involving historical materials that are difficult to identify or locate. Responds orally or in writing to inquiries related to assigned field of responsibility. Increases access to and convenience of online resources and services by preparing research guides, collection guides, and finding aids on specific topics of recognized research interest and demand using search strategies. Develops revision and updates for research materials. The librarian serves as the division’s primary liaison with current and potential researchers and users by developing, promoting, facilitating, presenting and evaluating programs to meet the expressed and anticipated needs of researchers and other user communities. Engages with different audiences to achieve a variety of outcomes. Facilitates book discussions, tours, workshops, orientation sessions, author talks, workshops, consultations, displays, tutorials, and other means of engagement. Develops content for traditional print outlets and social media platforms. Collaborates with the Library’s programs for congressional outreach, visitor engagement, educational outreach, and exhibitions, and with other collections-based programs. Represents and attends workshops, conferences, seminars, or meetings in librarianship and other relevant fields for the purpose of professional development. Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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 Israel, Judaism, and Jewish culture, history, and civilization.** Ability to read, write, and communicate in Hebrew and English, and a highly desired knowledge of Yiddish.** Ability to provide reference and research services.** Ability to develop and manage library collections.** Ability to use integrated library systems, applications, or other information technologies. Ability to provide consultation or liaison duties. Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing Education Education Requirements: All librarians must meet the requirements for professional education in library science or possess equivalent experience and education. 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 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. 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. 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. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities who meet eligibility requirements are strongly encouraged to apply. 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 ADA@loc.gov. 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 EEO/Diversity Programs at 202-707-6024 or email spp@loc.gov. 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.