Clarification from the agency

Anyone may apply - By law, employment at most U.S. Government agencies, including the Library of Congress, is limited to U.S. citizens. However, non-citizens may be hired, provided that other legal requirements are met and the Library determines there are no qualified U.S. citizens available for the position.

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 Library’s 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 Library’s history.

• Develop and maintain an accessible centralized digital repository that contains authoritative summaries of the Library’s 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 Library’s Archive, representatives of the Office of Communications to document key events and developments as they occur, and representatives of the Librarian’s 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 Library’s 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 Library’s 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 Library's 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 Library's history and its role in U.S. government and history. Gives guidance to researchers to help them with the Library’s 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

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 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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

The Library of Congress evaluates applicants through an applicant questionnaire and a structured interview. Applicants may also be screened for some jobs through licensing, certification, and/or education requirements, a narrative/application review, and/or a preliminary telephone interview. The knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that are marked with a double asterisk (**) in the vacancy announcement and the applicant questionnaire are considered the most critical for a position. To be considered for final selection, applicants must demonstrate fully acceptable experience in these designated KSAs in the narrative/application review, preliminary telephone and/or full structured interview. The various assessment tools listed above are designed to verify or explore applicants' experience, knowledge, and training directly related to the job in order to identify the best qualified applicants for selection.

• Your resume should include relevant work experience, applicable education and your contact information. For current or previous federal employees, include the pay plan, series and grade.
• Transcripts may support your qualifications for a federal job and can include high school, college or other schools.

Current or former federal employees must submit their most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent).

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. The program does not accept certification from health care providers. For more information contact the Library's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity 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.

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