Historian
Job Location:
Washington, DC - USA
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job 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.
The position serves as the Historian for the Library of Congress. The position is located in the Center for Exhibits and Interpretation/Publishing Office and is under the administrative direction of the Director of Publishing. The Historian is the primary technical expert on the history of the Library of Congress and as the expert (1) researches compiles and organizes the Librarys institutional memory; (2) provides advice consultation and verification of Library history in public-facing content; and (3) represents the agency in public outreach on issues pertaining to the Librarys history.
- Develop and maintain an accessible centralized digital repository that contains authoritative summaries of the Librarys key historical events policies programs and operations. Manages the collection and processing of oral interviews of former employees to facilitate accessioning into Library Collections. Consults with representatives of the Manuscript Division to review and maintain the contents of the Librarys Archive representatives of the Office of Communications to document key events and developments as they occur and representatives of the Librarians Office to evaluate the historical significance of official correspondence.
- Make recommendations to Library staff on the historical value of records; encourages preservation of historically valuable library materials; identifies and collects photographs papers and artifacts with historical significance.
- Continuously supplements the Librarys historical body of knowledge by conducting research on topics and events of historical significance to the Library and related institutions (including but not limited to recorded interviews analysis of primary and sources and consultation with colleagues former employees and other historians). Identifies gaps in the Librarys historical documentation and through professional research and consultation provides the information needed to close those gaps.
- Provide advice consultation and verification to the Exhibits Office Publishing Office Office of Communications Visitor Services Office and other directorates and divisions to ensure accurate characterizations of Library history in public-facing content. Advises senior leaders and staff on the Librarys history. Conducts research and consults with other historical authorities to help resolve conflicts of fact and/or interpretation.
- Provide historical expertise on the Library of Congress and its role in history to the media Members of Congress the scholarly community and the general public. Works with the Office of Communications to ensure accurate responses to historical inquiries from the news media and members of the public and with the Congressional Relations Office to ensure accurate responses to historical inquiries from Members of Congress. Serves as a liaison between the Library and professional history organizations and historians at other federal agencies. Serves as a historical ambassador for the agency by participating in and/or contributing to appropriate professional meetings and conferences publications and scholarly and civic events.
- Advise and assist scholars and other researchers in identifying and obtaining access to pertinent archival records for historical studies. Assists researchers in developing historical studies and conducting research on the Librarys history and its role in U.S. government and history. Gives guidance to researchers to help them with the Librarys historical studies and access to documents as well as directing them to other sources.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
This position is located in the Publishing Office Center for Exhibits and Interpretation Chief of Staff Office of the Librarian.
The position description number for this position is 463640.
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 is an indefinite NTE 5-Years position.
Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement.
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.
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 develop and organize records and information for a historical knowledge repository.**
Ability to conduct information research and knowledge management.**
Ability to communicate in writing.**
Ability to perform liaison duties.**
Ability to perform client services and outreach activities.
Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.
A. Degree:history; or related field that included at least 18 semester hours in history.
OR
B. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in history or a major in a related field that included at least 18 semester hours in history as shown in A above plus appropriate experience or additional education.
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 a foreign education evaluation report 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.
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.
