Librarian
Office of the SecretarySummary
This vacancy is for a Librarian in the Office of the Secretary within the Department of Commerce.
This position is located under the direct charge of the Office of the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel of Administration, Commerce Research Library (CRL). The mission of the library is to meet the evolving business and legal information needs of the US Department of Commerce.
As a Librarian, you will perform the following duties:
- Manage day-to-day library operations encompassing circulation services, reference, and technical services while analyzing policy formulation, program execution, and collection development.
- Design and deliver creative instructional programs, customized company and industry research, and reference services to help clients navigate complex information tools.
- Administer and update core library technologies including Alma, Primo, LibGuides, and OpenAthens to ensure seamless website functionality, digital resource access, and user troubleshooting.
- Assist with organizational outreach, marketing, and event coordination, including vendor trainings, educational speakers, and facility scheduling to proactively connect stakeholders with library resources
This position is also advertised under OS-OGC-ST-26-13028909, which is open to Merit Promotion eligible applicants. You must apply to both announcements if you want to be considered for both.
Conditions of employment
- You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
- You must successfully pass a background investigation. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.
- A probationary period may be required.
- Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/).
- If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application.
- All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
- Bargaining Unit Position: No
- Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE form 450): No
- Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expense: Will not be paid
- License required: No
- Drug Test Required: No
Qualifications
Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=Occupational-Series
Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations, e.g., professional; philanthropic, religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies; knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
To qualify at the GS-11 level, you must meet the Basic Requirements AND Specialized Experience as stated below.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must meet the requirements specified in paragraphs A or B below.
A. Completion of 1 full academic year of graduate study in library science in an accredited college or university, in addition to completion of all work required for a bachelor's degree;
- OR -
B. A total of at least 5 years of a combination of college-level education, training, and experience. To qualify on this basis, the applicant must establish conclusively that the education, training, and experience provided a knowledge and understanding of the theories, principles, and techniques of professional librarianship; a knowledge of literature resources; and the knowledge and abilities essential for providing effective library and information services.
- AND -
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: You must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 (or equivalent pay band) level in the Federal service.Specialized experience is defined as:
- Performing research and reference services, and collection development within an operational library or information center environment; and
- Conducting research using multiple sources and supporting access to digital library resources, maintaining library content, and updating websites or other digital platforms.
- OR -
SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education in library science or a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) related to the position.
- OR -
COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. (MUST SUBMIT TRANSCRIPTS)
Education
See Qualifications Above.
NOTE:
Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of coursework and degree. You MUST provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation, including a course-by-course listing, with your application. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in the loss of consideration.
Additional information
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.
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.
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.
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.