Library of Congress Hiring for Archivist at Washington, DC Full Time

The archivist will work on the Community Collections Grants (CCG) program, part of the Library’s Of The People: Widening the Path initiative. This is a multiyear initiative, funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, to connect more deeply with Black, Hispanic, Indigenous and other minority communities by expanding the Library’s collections, using technology to enable storytelling, and offering more internship and fellowship opportunities. The Of the People: Widening the Path initiative creates new opportunities for more people to engage with the Library, thus weaving a more inclusive American story. This work will expand the Library’s efforts to ensure that a diversity of experiences is reflected in our historical record and inform how we use those materials to understand our past. The initiative is part of a larger vision at the Library to connect with all Americans by inviting new generations to participate in creating, preserving and sharing the nation’s cultural treasures and building on the Library’s commitment to collect and preserve more underrepresented perspectives and experiences. The American Folklife Center portion of the initiative funds program staff positions, subgrants to individuals and organizations involved in the contemporaneous documentation of historically underrepresented communities such as African-American, Indigenous, and other communities of color, and technology infrastructure to aid in community collections.

Accessions, arranges, and describes archival collections, in particular born-digital archival collections, demonstrating knowledge of contemporary archival theory and practice.

Possesses understanding of scholarly research and documentation practices and uses basic knowledge of archival theory and practice to process and describe archival collections.

Works closely with CCG awardees, AFC colleagues and other Library staff to accurately describe archival collections, utilizing community-generated metadata. Completes preliminary analysis of the documentation provided by CCG awardees, evaluates the significance of archival material in its cultural and historical context and applies evaluation in helping create a plan of arrangement and description. Exercises initiative on special assignments requiring knowledge of archival procedures.

Assembles information to help resolve administrative and legal matters affecting the arrangement and availability of collections. Applies prescribed criteria for the retention or disposition of duplicate and extraneous matter. Exercises archival digital content management practices to ensure the security and long-term viability of digital archival records. Produces detailed descriptive guides for research use online.

Helps direct the work of technicians and interns in processing collections. Instructs other staff in processing and monitors and reviews their work for productivity and accuracy. Consults with CCG awardees, staff folklife specialists, and other relevant specialists in formulating and implementing processing activities. Provides assessment to management of the scope and quality of work performed by processing technicians, interns, and other team members.

Maintains technical expertise in emerging technologies and implements tools to facilitate the creation and publication of finding aids and other descriptive information online.

Works to maintain personal contacts and cooperative work relationships to provide or exchange information. Coordinates as necessary with staff in other divisions relating to the transmission, handling, description, and storage of digital archival collections.

Attends workshops, conferences, seminars, or meetings in librarianship and other relevant fields to apply new and revised methods to work and ensure work is performed to current standards. While attending or participating in scholarly and professional societies or meetings/conferences, the incumbent contributes to the field by providing insights or relevant connections between Library collections and archival management practices.

Uses knowledge of prescriptive standards and guides to share straight-forward, easily identifiable technical information to individuals or groups. Recommends changes in procedures, workflows, and tools as they relate to manuscript, archival, and born digital collections.

Presents information to groups and individuals with a similar understanding of the subject.

Serves as a resource in the development of overall preservation program policies and goals. Helps promote collection security by recommending and implementing improved methods of manually or electronically marking and labeling collections.

Provides information in response to reference service requests. Assists readers, scholars and researchers in finding significant records relating to the subject under consideration and advises them of relevant records in the division and Library.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

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 the principles, concepts, and techniques of archival work, including analysis, organization, and description of archival material.**

Knowledge of archival best practices and procedures for the lifecycle management of digital collection materials.**

Knowledge of metadata and metadata best practices for managing digital collections.**

Ability to interpret and apply a variety of guidelines and/or regulations.

Ability to build and maintain professional relationships and provide liaison services.

Ability To Communicate Effectively Other Than In Writing.

Education

There are no education requirements for this posting.

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 [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 EEO/Diversity Programs 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.

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