Summary This position is located in the Latin American, Caribbean & European Division, General & International Collections Directorate, Researcher And Collections Services. Position description number for this position is 447805 The incumbent of this position will work a flexitime work schedule. This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position. The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area. Responsibilities Enables access, discovery, dissemination, and use of collections and resources, current and historical, analog and digital, for all users. Provides support for the identification and selection of sources for those engaged in routine research, and maintains connections and life-long learning opportunities for casual users through the discovery and use of the Library’s resources. Provides reference and instruction to individual researchers and groups where needs are relatively easy to determine from standard research interviews, in-person or virtually, and the bibliographic source materials are of limited technical complexity. Identifies domestic and international analog and digital resources in a field of specialty to address user needs that are easily determined from interviews or written requests. Develops knowledge of resources in other institutions to provide informed referrals. Provides support of limited technical complexity in evolving forms of digital scholarship. Assists users with specialized collections under the direction of senior staff and seeks assistance for locating materials that are not readily accessible. Provides in-person and telephone reference services in a reading room setting and through reference desk rotation. Utilizes technologies such as Ask-a-Librarian, email, chat, social media, and video conferencing to provide research and reference services. Responds orally or in writing to inquiries related to assigned field of responsibility. Increases access to and convenience of online resources and services by assisting in preparing research guides, collection guides, and finding aids on specific topics of recognized research interest and demand using standard search strategies. Assists senior librarians in revising or updating research materials. Assist with reviewing a wide variety of brochures, catalogs, journals, and other sources for new items and sources for possible acquisition in order to develop collections in areas of subject or geographic responsibility. Assists other staff in determining the quality and usefulness of collection materials. Assists in developing strategies for the organization, storage, preservation, and service of materials. Monitors the condition of collection materials to ensure adherence to established preservation standards and specifications. Orients users and explains procedures and regulations governing use and handling of materials in the collection. Coordinates the acquisition of items of limited technical complexity, or those easily acquired, through the online acquisition process. Examines recommendations to identify processing and custodial requirements and to identify out-of-scope materials. Maintains liaison with other recommending officers and subject specialists to coordinate acquisition of materials within and across divisions. Under the direction of senior staff, the incumbent liaises with current and potential researchers and users. Collaborates with others to develop, promote, facilitate, present and evaluate programs to meet the expressed and anticipated needs of researchers and other user communities. Assists with different audiences to achieve a variety of outcomes. Assists with research facilitation, book discussions, tours, workshops, orientation sessions, author talks, workshops, consultations, displays, tutorials, and other means of engagement. Assists in developing 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. OTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTS: • Foreign language facility is required for this position in the geographical area for which reference cataloging, acquisitions, or other engagement functions are performed. • Must be able to speak, listen, read, and write in at least one of the foreign languages of the geographical area for which reference, acquisitions, or other engagement functions are being performed. • Must be able to speak, listen, read, and write fluently in English. • Must be able to communicate intended meaning in straightforward, everyday conversations and routine, work-related interactions. • Must be able to adequately understand straightforward spoken language on everyday topics, including routine work-related matters. • Must be able to adequately understand straightforward written material on everyday topics, including routine work-related matters. • Must be able to adequately write straightforward documents and participate in everyday exchanges for routine work requirements and most correspondence. 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. Ability to provide reference and research services.** Ability to develop and manage library collections.** Knowledge of a Latin American, Caribbean or Iberian language.** Ability to use integrated library applications, systems, or other information technologies.** Ability to provide in person and electronic consultation or liaison duties. Ability to communicate in writing. Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing. Education 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.