Librarian (Preservation Specialist)
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 seekhighly talentedprofessionals to join a vibrant and collaborative community. Your work here will have lasting impact on theLibraryand its users well into the future.
The Preservation Specialist position is located in the Conservation Division in the Preservation Directorate. The Directorate is responsible for the long-term uninterrupted access to the Librarys collections through a variety of preservation programs. The Conservation Division accomplishes the preservation of the Librarys collections ranging from the general research collections to the rare valuable and special format collections through a variety of activities. Incumbents in this position are specialists with a broad understanding of the diverse challenges that affect the Librarys tangible collections and are engaged in a broad spectrum of activities that mitigate these risks.
The Preservation Specialist ensures the longevity and usefulness of the Librarys collections their physical characteristics the values they represent and the information they contain. Performs and develops services that enable Library collections to be used safely for exhibition digitization research use transportation or permanent storage. Coordinates emergency response activities in a time-sensitive manner.
The Preservation Specialist duties have their foundation in the American Institute for Conservation (AIC) Essential Competencies for Conservation Preservation and Scientific Analysis. The Foundational Competencies as well as the Practice Competencies for Preservation apply to all Preservation Specialist grade level position general Preservation Specialists are highly trained professionals who perform critical work in the Librarys charge to preserve and safely make accessible its extensive and often unique holdings. The Preservation Specialist plans and executes work based on expert knowledge skills and requisite training and experience.
The Preservation Specialist uses an extensive understanding of the importance of respecting the integrity of the collection item to be treated cultural context pertinent legal and ethical issues and solicited input from stakeholders to employ and develop preservation strategies to avoid block manage or mitigate damage caused by the agents of deterioration through a comprehensive knowledge of preservation tools techniques instruments supplies protocols and best practices and a comprehensive understanding of agents of deterioration that threaten collections.
This position requires access and use of high value and top tier collections to perform the work of the position and therefore requires a Public Trust background investigation at the Moderate risk level.
This level of position is considered the most senior of all non-supervisory Preservation Specialist positions. The incumbent is expected to operate successfully in situations that require the highest level of independence self-direction and capability of addressing the most complex and/or unique challenges through research and innovation regularly leading teams in that effort. At this level the Preservation Specialist:
As the Librarian (Preservation Specialist) you will:
- Lead efforts to engage with custodial divisions or other programmatic units and stakeholders to determine short-term and long-term needs to pursue preservation strategies and coordinate teams to provide services and/or procure products for specific time-bound projects.
- Collect and process technical data and/or information involving Library-wide conservation and preservation programs such as collections conservation preparation for digitization environmental monitoring collections emergency response exhibition preparation or others to support as part of coordinating preservation program workflows.
- Coordinate the work associated with these programs that is performed by multiple staff members and/or contractors. Determine the scope of work required establish schedules to ensure successful completion ensure workload is effectively distributed and consistently track and report on progress to management.
- Prepare facilitate or conduct training. Preparation includes the development of training plans manuals web pages or aids for the instruction of staff contractors interns or other conservation or library. This training may involve novel techniques and approaches within the field.
- Advise on conservation and preservation projects to scholarly and professional groups outside cultural institutions including libraries other government agencies and private foundations.
Performs various other duties as assigned.
The position description number for this position is 454933.
The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area.
The incumbent of this position will work a Compflex; or Flexitime; Maxiflex 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.
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.
When working in the laboratory environment the employee is exposed to moderate risks and should exercise safety precautions when using chemicals or preservation equipment such as using protective clothing or gear such as masks gowns goggles gloves or shields. When working with tools to fabricate housing or preservation storage accommodations should the incumbent should use precautions and follow equipment instructions for use and general safety precautions and wear protective clothing or gear.
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 analyze organize plan and carry out conservation/preservation programs in a library or similar institution. **
Ability to provide consultation or liaison duties. **
Knowledge of the principles concepts and techniques of conservation/preservation.
Ability to communicate in writing.
Ability to provide training.
Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.
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.
Required Experience:
IC
