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  1. Overview
  2. Duties
  3. Qualifications & Evaluations
  4. Benefits & Other Info
  5. How to Apply

Job Title:Information Research Specialist (4 positions) and Law Librarian (1 position)

Department:Legislative Branch

Job Announcement Number:120048

This position is closed and no longer accepting online applications through USAJOBS.

The contents of the announcement can still be viewed.

SALARY RANGE:

 to / Per Year

OPEN PERIOD:

 Friday, March 16, 2012 to Friday, April 13, 2012

SERIES & GRADE:

 GS-1410-09/11

POSITION INFORMATION:

 Full-time, temporary, Graduate Recruit positions. - (Some Graduate Recruit positions may be eligible for subsequent conversion to permanent.)

PROMOTION POTENTIAL:

13

DUTY LOCATIONS:

5 vacancies - Washington, DCView Map

WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED:

Students or Library of Congress employees who meet all of the following eligibility requirements:

  1. U.S. citizenship.
  2. Enrollment in or anticipated graduation from an appropriate, accredited advanced degree program between September 2011 and August 2012 (Library employees may already possess a graduate degree).
  3. General and additional education requirements listed under "Qualifications Required" below.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) Knowledge Services Group, is accepting applications for four Information Research Specialists and one Law Librarian under its 2012 Graduate Recruit Program. These positions will be filled at the GS-09 or GS-11 level (see "Duties" below).

ABOUT THE GRADUATE RECRUIT PROGRAM:

Initial appointments under the Graduate Recruit Program will be made for a period up to 120 days beginning in the spring/summer of 2012. Some initial appointments may be eligible for subsequent conversion to permanent appointments, contingent upon participants' performance and completion of all degree requirements, and availability of funding.

ABOUT CRS:

CRS works exclusively for the United States Congress, providing policy and legal analysis to committees and Members of both the House and Senate, regardless of party affiliation. As shared staff to congressional committees and Members of Congress, CRS experts assist at every stage of the legislative process—from the early considerations that precede bill drafting, through committee hearings and floor debate, to the oversight of enacted laws and various agency activities.

A legislative branch agency within the Library of Congress, CRS has been a valued and respected resource on Capitol Hill for nearly a century. Its highest priority is to ensure that Congress has immediate access to the nation's best thinking on public policy issues of interest to its Members and committees.

    KEY REQUIREMENTS


  • See "Qualifications Required" below.

DUTIES:

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The five selectees for this vacancy announcement will support the work of Congress in the following issue areas:

  • Information Research Specialist (Domestic Social Policy)
  • Information Research Specialist (Environmental Policy/Natural Resources)
  • Information Research Specialist (Executive, Judicial, and Legislative Branches)
  • Information Research Specialist (National Defense and Military Affairs)
  • Law Librarian (American Law)

The selectees for these positions will provide reference and research services to CRS policy analysts, legislative attorneys, and congressional clients; develop search techniques and files for handling specific types of requests; search the Library of Congress, CRS, and external electronic resources in response to requests for information; examine publications, electronic resources, and trends in a variety of areas; develop knowledge of collections for use in performing research tasks; and assist with the creation and maintenance of databases, web pages, collaborative tools and other information systems.

The ideal candidates for the Information Research Specialist positions will have or be pursuing a master of library or information science (e.g., MLS, MIS, MLIS, MSLS) or equivalent degree.

Candidates who have or are pursuing dual degrees in library or information science (e.g., MLS, MIS, MLIS, MSLS) and law (e.g., LL.B. or J.D.) are encouraged to apply for the Law Librarian position.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

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WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED:

Students or Library of Congress employees who meet all of the following eligibility requirements:

  1. U.S. citizenship.
  2. Enrollment in or anticipated graduation from an appropriate, accredited advanced degree program between September 2011 and August 2012 (Library employees may already possess a graduate degree).
  3. General education requirements for a GS-9 or GS-11 appointment (see first table below).
  4. Additional education requirements for information specialist/law librarian positions (see second table below).

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR GS-09/GS-11 APPOINTMENTS:

GS-09 Grade Level GS-11 Grade Level
Two years of progressively higher level appropriate graduate education leading to a master's degree, OR master's or equivalent graduate degree, OR one year of specialized experience at the GS-07 grade level in the federal service or at a comparable level of difficulty outside the federal service. Three years of progressively higher appropriate graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree, OR a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, OR a J.D. or equivalent law degree, OR one year of specialized experience at the GS-09 grade level in the federal service or at a comparable level of difficulty outside the federal service.

ADDITIONAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR INFORMATION RESEARCH SPECIALIST/LAW LIBRARIAN POSITIONS:

GS-09 Grade Level GS-11 Grade Level
Two full years of progressively higher level graduate education in library or information science, OR master’s degree in library or information science or equivalent graduate degree related to the position, OR enrollment in a master of library or information science degree program or equivalent graduate degree program with one year of relevant work experience equivalent to the GS-07 level. Three full years of progressively higher level graduate education in library or information science, OR doctoral degree in library or information science or equivalent graduate degree related to the position, OR enrollment in a master of library or information science degree program or equivalent graduate degree program with one year of relevant work experience equivalent to the GS-09 level.


KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, AND ABILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE INFORMATION RESEARCH SPECIALIST POSITIONS:

The critical knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs), gained through education, experience and/or training, needed to successfully perform the duties of the positions:

GS-09 Grade Level GS-11 Grade Level
Ability to apply knowledge of reference sources in public policy research: The ability to apply knowledge of reference sources in public policy research in all formats such as databases, directories, statistical compilations or datasets, authoritative websites, government documents, and legal documents, and to provide recommendations for or participate in the development of library collections. Ability to apply knowledge of reference sources in public policy research: The ability to apply knowledge of reference sources in public policy research in all formats such as databases, directories, statistical compilations or datasets, authoritative websites, government documents, and legal documents, and to research and advise on the development of library collections.
Ability to provide reference services: To conduct reference interviews, evaluate requirements and recommend search strategies, and access and share information about programs and policy developments in response to inquiries. Ability to provide reference services: To conduct reference interviews; evaluate requirements and recommend search strategies; access and share information about programs and policy developments in response to inquiries; instruct staff on the use of library resources; create and maintain databases, web pages, shared folders, and other information systems; and monitor developments relevant to work activities.
Ability to conduct information research with a legal or public policy focus: To conduct, and assist others in conducting research using print/electronic resources, including international, federal, and/or state materials; and to identify current and authoritative data, statistics and information. Ability to conduct information research with a legal or public policy focus: To conduct, and assist others in conducting research using print/electronic resources, including international, federal, and/or state materials; to identify and synthesize current and authoritative data, statistics and information; to design and execute data searches and suggest search strategies to others; and either to evaluate major publications, electronic resources, and trends in a public policy issue, or to develop research guides and/or finding aids.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, AND ABILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE LAW LIBARIAN POSITION:

The critical knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs), gained through education, experience and/or training, needed to successfully perform the duties of the position:

GS-09 Grade Level GS-11 Grade Level
Ability to apply knowledge of legal reference sources in public policy research: The ability to apply knowledge of legal reference sources in public policy research in all formats such as legal databases, online legislative resources, authoritative websites, government documents, legal documents, and legal research sources, and to provide recommendations for or participate in the development of legal library collections. Ability to apply knowledge of legal reference sources in public policy research: The ability to apply knowledge of legal reference sources in public policy research in all formats such as legal databases, online legislative resources, authoritative websites, government documents, legal documents, and legal research sources, and to research and advise on the development of legal library collections.
Ability to provide reference services: To conduct reference interviews, evaluate requirements and recommend search strategies, and access and share information about programs and policy developments in response to inquiries. Ability to provide reference services: To conduct reference interviews; evaluate requirements and recommend search strategies; access and share information about programs and policy developments in response to inquiries; instruct staff on the use of library resources; create and maintain databases, web pages, shared folders, and other information systems; and monitor developments relevant to work activities.
Ability to conduct information research with a legal or public policy focus: To conduct, and assist others in conducting research using print/electronic resources, including international, federal, and/or state materials; and to identify current and authoritative data, statistics and information. Ability to conduct information research with a legal or public policy focus: To conduct, and assist others in conducting research using print/electronic resources, including international, federal, and/or state materials; to identify and synthesize current and authoritative data, statistics and information; to design and execute data searches and suggest search strategies to others; and either to evaluate major publications, electronic resources, and trends in a public policy issue, or to develop research guides and/or finding aids.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Completed application packages will be forwarded to a panel of CRS staff that will first assess applicants against basic eligibility, general education requirements, and additional education requirements for information research specialist/law librarian positions. An evaluation panel will then assess the degree to which candidates meet the critical knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) required to perform the duties of the position and offer the better qualified candidates an opportunity for an interview in person, by telephone or by other telecommunications means. In addition to the critical KSAs listed above, the following competencies will also be addressed during the interview:

  • Ability to interact collaboratively with others
  • Ability to utilize information technology
  • Ability to solve problems and make decisions
  • Ability to communicate orally

Finalists may be required to submit a writing sample related to their academic discipline.

A complete applicant package will require applicants to provide responses to a vacancy questionnaire, which includes mandatory submission of a Candidate Statement of Interest.


To preview questions please click here.

BENEFITS:

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The selectee for this position may qualify for one or more of the following benefits during the summer appointment:

  • Paid annual leave (for vacations, personal business or emergencies)
  • Paid sick leave (for personal medical needs, care of a family member, bereavement purposes and/or adoption-related purposes)
  • Paid federal holidays
  • Training
  • A transportation subsidy to be used on the Metrorail system, Virginia Rail Express, MARC commuter trains, county and commuter buses and qualified commercial van pools

OTHER INFORMATION:

The Congressional Research Service, within the Library of Congress, is part of the Legislative Branch of the federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service.

The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustment for the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.

The appointment tenure for this position is full-time temporary; flexible work schedules may be available.

The position description numbers for this vacancy announcement are: 57567 (GS-9) and 57568 (GS-11).

Relocation expenses are not authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement.

The Library reserves the right to fill a lesser or greater number of vacancies indicated during the life of this vacancy announcement.

Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation.

Applicants who are referred for an interview will be required to submit a completed OF-306, Declaration for Federal Employment.

Those Graduate Recruit Program participants who are converted from a temporary appointment to a permanent position, and who have not yet completed the one-year probationary period required of all new Library employees, will be required to do so. Time served in the temporary appointment will not count toward completion of this one-year probationary period requirement.

CRS staff not placed in a permanent position under the Graduate Recruit Program will return to the position occupied before entering the program or a position of similar grade and duties without loss of federal service tenure or seniority. Before applying, other Library of Congress employees should consult their supervisor or service unit management regarding the status of their position should they be selected for the program but not placed in a permanent position.

The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer. Women, men, minorities, and persons with disabilities who meet eligibility requirements are strongly encouraged to apply.

This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify Nancy Warrick at CRSGraduateRecruit@crs.loc.gov or (202) 707-6960. The decision on granting reasonable accommodations will be made on a case-by-case basis.

HOW TO APPLY:

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Please carefully follow all instructions to ensure you are considered for the position.

Step 1: Review this job announcement. We recommend you review the "Qualifications Required" section of the announcement to determine whether your education and experience align with the position requirements.

Step 2: Click the "APPLY ONLINE" button to the right of this announcement. Log into your USAJobs account, or create an account if you do not already have one.

Step 3: Follow USAJobs' instructions to submit your resume. Your resume should include the following information:
-- Work experience (paid and unpaid, including start and end dates and hours worked per week)
-- Education

Step 4: You will be redirected to the Library's Hiring Management website to complete the application process. If this is your first time in Hiring Management, you will be required to answer questions related to your eligibility for federal employment and requested to provide demographic information.

Step 5: Provide responses to the vacancy announcement questions (you can preview these questions by clicking the link under "How You Will Be Evaluated" above).

Step 6: Attach transcripts (official or unofficial) of all completed graduate courses or a self-prepared course list showing grades and the number of credits received. Graduate transcripts/course lists are mandatory; undergraduate transcripts are optional.

Step 7: Click "Finish" to submit your application. You will be redirected to USAJobs with notification that your application has been completed. You may check the status of your application for this position at any time by signing into your USAJobs account and clicking "Application status."

If you have questions or are experiencing technical difficulty you MUST CONTACT Nancy Warrick at CRSGraduateRecruit@crs.loc.gov or (202) 707-6960 no later than 4:30 p.m. EDT of the closing date.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

It is recommended that you review your application to ensure it contains the following items:

  • Resume (uploaded through USAJobs.gov)
  • Completed vacancy questionnaire
  • Graduate transcripts or a self-prepared course list (attachment to application)

Note: the "Documents" section of the application may request that you attach an OF-306, Declaration for Federal Employment. You may choose to upload this form as part of your application or submit it at the time of interview.

Incomplete applications will not be referred to interview officials and will be disqualified from further consideration.

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

Nancy L. Warrick
Agency Information:
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
101 Independence Ave. SE
LM-208
Washington, DC
20540
US

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

Please refer to "How You Will Be Evaluated." You will receive final notification via e-mail when the vacancy has been filled.


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Agency Information:

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
101 Independence Ave. SE
LM-208
Washington, DC
20540
US

Questions about this job:

Nancy L. Warrick

Job Announcement Number:

120048

Control Number:

312070300