Legal Reference Librarian
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Job Location:
Washington, AR - USA
Yearly Salary:
$ 85447 - 111087
Posted on:
6 hours ago
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
Summary
This position is located in the Public Services Division Global Legal Research Directorate Law Library.
The position description number for this position is 442650.
The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area.
The incumbent of this position will work a flextime work schedule.
The incumbent of this position will be required to work on Saturdays.
This is a non-supervisory bargaining unit position.
The Legal Reference Librarian working under the supervision of the Law Library Reading Room Head within the Law Librarys Public Services Division provides legal and legislative reference and research support services; performs collection development duties; provides tours briefings classes and orientations; and participates in projects and programs which fulfills the mission of the Public Services Division.
Responds to legal and legislative reference and research inquiries from Members of Congress congressional committees the White House federal courts government agencies libraries the bar educational institutions and the general public.
Staffs the Law Library Reading Room reference desk and/or established reference service points to provide legal reference service to readers in the reading room or patrons contacting the Law Librarys reference staff. Staffs the reference desk and/or established reference service points outside regular operating hours to provide legal reference service to Members of Congress and legislative staff to serve the needs of Congress. The legal reference librarian also staffs the reference desk at least one Saturday per two-week pay period or two Saturdays per month.
Assists legal researchers by analyzing questions and requirements; suggesting search strategies; and evaluating resources from the general special and/or reference collections regardless of format. Identifies and locates primary and secondary sources of United States foreign and international law and legislation utilizing specialized finding aids resources and tools. Prepares written responses to legal and legislative inquiries written legal and legislative research guides and pathfinders and written products describing research methodologies. Recommends referral of questions outside the organizations scope of expertise to the Global Legal Research Directorate other areas of the Library of Congress and other agencies libraries and/or organizations. Monitors legislative developments and new publications relating to general fields of law and/or law librarianship to provide current information. Plans and completes projects as assigned by the Law Library Reading Room Head or Public Services Division Chief. Depending on language and script capabilities may be asked to answer foreign comparative and international law inquiries.
Surveys and evaluates Reading Room collections to identify gaps and currency issues. Identifies collection processing issues relating to assigned areas / subjects / jurisdictions of the Reading Room collections and works with senior staff to develop resolutions.
Develops understanding of current and public policy issues in assigned areas / subjects / jurisdictions in order to develop collections that anticipate researcher inquiries and demands.
Reviews a variety of foreign and domestic sources for information about available materials. Reviews acquisitions lists for new titles and other materials in various formats for the Reading Rooms collection.
Recommends the addition and/or removal of titles from assigned portions of the Law Library reference collections. Orients users and explains procedures and regulations governing use and handling of collections. Regularly reviews collections for condition assessment and reports issues with the condition of materials to senior division staff or other appropriate Law Library staff. Ensures patron compliance with the security and the appropriate handling of the collections. Contributes to digital collection development and management projects such as web archiving and/or compiling and organizing websites based on current public policy issues.
Prepares and conducts tours of the Law Library and the Library of Congress. Explains information to groups and individuals with varying levels of understanding or knowledge of the operations services mission and/or programs of the Library of Congress and the Law Library as well as law and legal and legislative research methodology. Attends and assists with briefings orientations and classes provided by senior division staff and facilitates webinars as an attendee monitor.
Develops professional contacts within and outside the organization to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships in order to provide or exchange information and professional knowledge. Professional contacts include library patrons supervisors library staff other national libraries library and information networks information centers experts in government agencies educational institutions associations the private sector and/or research groups.
Participates in on-going and special division programs and projects. These projects may include representing the division both within and outside the Law Library and the Library.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement
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 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 apply knowledge of the principles concepts and techniques of library science to the organization and dissemination of legal information. **
Ability to communicate legal and legislative information and analysis in writing. **
Ability to communicate effectively in a library or information center environment. **
Ability to utilize information technology and online legal resources. **
Ability to provide training and mentorship.
Ability to interact collaboratively with a diverse group of people.
Ability to plan and implement library programs.
Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.
Additional information
Althoughit is the Librarys 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 proof or disability/certification may be issued by the State Vocational Rehabilitation Office Disability Services or Career Services office of the applicants college or university or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The lettermust verify that the applicant has a severe disability and must be dated within three years of the date of the from health care providers are not more information contact the Librarys 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 unitswithin 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.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Key Skills
- Organisational skills
- Customer Service
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking
- Research skills
- Teamwork
- Computer and Internet Literacy
- Leadership Experience
- Attention to detail
- Adaptable
