Cataloging Specialist (Problem Resolution Officer)

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 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.

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 the principles, concepts, and techniques of cataloging and inventory management.** Ability to use integrated library systems, applications, or other information technologies.** Ability to analyze cataloging problems that impact retrievability of collections and take corrective action to resolve issues.** Ability to plan, develop and execute library programs and projects. Ability to interact collaboratively with others to provide consultation and liaison services. Ability to develop and provide training. Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.

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 to apply

Please carefully follow all instructions under the How to Apply tab to ensure you are considered for the position. Please note, there is no page restriction to your resume, and you are allowed to upload a resume longer than two pages in the resume section within the application process. When the application system prompts, please proceed to the agency site to complete your application. You are required to apply online for this announcement. We are unable to accept mailed or emailed documents. You must complete the entire application process, including submission of all documents BEFORE this announcement closes. To do so, complete the following steps. Step 1: If you do not already have one, create a resume and upload it to your profile in the "Resume" section. Although you must enter your Social Security Number for USAJOBS, this information will not be provided to the Library of Congress. Step 2: Review the Job Announcement. We recommend you go to the end of the Qualification and Evaluation section of the job announcement to preview the online questions that you will answer in Step 4. You may wish to customize your resume to ensure that it supports your responses to these questions. Step 3: Click on the "APPLY ONLINE" button to the right of this announcement. Follow USAJOBS' instructions to access your account. You will be redirected to the Hiring Management website to complete the application process. If this is your first time in Hiring Management, you will be asked to answer questions related to your eligibility for Federal employment. You will be able to update this information and save it to our account for future announcements. Step 4: Once you have completed the eligibility questions, you will be taken directly to the vacancy application questions. Answer all questions honestly and thoroughly. Step 5: Hiring Management offers one option that will electronically attach your documentation to your online application once you finish answering the questions in the job announcement. You may electronically upload a document directly from your computer to your application. Be certain to review your complete application for confirmation of the document uploaded and click on "Finished" to be returned to USAJOBS. IMPORTANT NOTE: If you have multiple documents of the same kind, e.g. 2 undergraduate transcripts from different schools or 2 SF-50s, etc., be sure that they are all in the same file on your computer. If you try uploading them individually, only the last one sent will be visible in our system. If you have any questions about this information, please contact the person on this announcement BEFORE the closing date. Step 6: Click on "Finish" after you have completed your application. Once you have submitted your application, you can check your status online through your Hiring Management or MY USAJOBS account. Your complete online application and any required supplemental documentation (e.g., SF-50, etc.) must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of the announcement. It is your responsibility to ensure that all documents are received on time and that the materials are readable. Failure to do so will result in your application being excluded from consideration for this announcement. If you are experiencing any technical difficulty with the online process, you MUST CONTACT THE POINT OF CONTACT FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE. For all technical issues please contact [email protected] , no later than 4:00pm EST of the Closing Date. REQUESTS FOR EXTENSIONS WILL NOT BE GRANTED.