Position at Library of Congress

Vacancy #960124 - Conservator Paper
Library of Congress
Washington, DC 20540-2295
Vacancy Announcement Number 960124

The Library of Congress is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Women,
minorities and persons with disabilities who meet eligibility
requirements are strongly encouraged to apply.

General Position Information:

Title/Series/Grade:     Conservator (Paper) GS-1001-11 (4900)
$34,981 - $45,475* GS-1001-12 (7200) $41,926 - $54,508*

*The individual selected for this position will receive the
applicable locality pay adjustment.

Position Location: Conservation Office, Preservation Directorate,
Library Services; James Madison Memorial Building

Promotion Potential: Promotion Plan to GS-12

Type of Appointment: Indefinite, Not-to-exceed five years
Non-supervisory, bargaining unit position

Number of Vacancies: One

Brief Description of Duties: This position is in support of the
Library's National Digital Library Program.  The conservator (paper)
performs conservation work on the full range of library paper
materials, including the rarest and most valuable objects, and on
those objects which present unusually complex problems.  Examines
and analyzes collection materials; writes treatment proposal;
obtains photographic documentation and curatorial approval; performs
treatment; prepares treatment report; obtains post-treatment
photography.  Develops annual plan for preservation and conservation
of Special Collections Divisions' materials.  Performs needs
assessment (survey) in collaboration with curatorial staff of
division.  Conducts conservation and preservation training and
workshops for junior staff, visitors, and library staff. Identifies
and recommends current and future preservation needs; advises and
instructs library staff and others on these needs.

Minimum Qualifications: GS-11: One year of specialized experience at
the GS-9 level in the Federal service or at a comparable level of
difficulty outside the Federal service or two full years of
progressively higher level graduate education or Masters or
equivalent Graduate degree. Experience or education must demonstrate
a minimum level of proficiency in the following KSAs:

GS-12: One year of specialized experience at the GS-11 level in the
Federal service or at a comparable level of difficulty outside the
Federal service or three full years of progressively higher level
graduate education or Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree. Experience
or education must demonstrate a minimum level of proficiency in the
following KSAs:

    *   Knowledge of preservation and conservation fields,
        techniques and technologies, and the chemical nature of
        library special collections materials.

    *   Ability to communicate and interact with others.

    *   Ability to communicate in writing.

    *   Ability to plan and organize, and to analyze and synthesize
        data.

    *   Ability to handle and treat special collections materials.

Quality Ranking Factors: Quality ranking factors are presented in
ALL CAPS.  The statements beneath each factor relate each factor to
specific duties of the position.

    1.  KNOWLEDGE OF PRESERVATION AND CONSERVATION FIELDS,
        TECHNIQUES AND TECHNOLOGIES, AND THE CHEMICAL NATURE OF
        LIBRARY SPECIAL COLLECTIONS MATERIALS -- to perform
        conservation work on special collections material, survey
        collections, develop annual preservation plans and consult
        with others on preservation issues.

        2.ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE AND INTERACT WITH OTHERS -- to
        perform liaison activities with special collections
        divisions; conduct training and workshops on conservation
        and preservation issues and perform conservation work with
        colleagues.

        3.ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE IN WRITING -- to write treatment
        reports, annual preservation proposals, consultant reports,
        project status reports and other correspondence.

        4.ABILITY TO PLAN AND ORGANIZE, AND TO ANALYZE AND
        SYNTHESIZE DATA -- to plan and organize collections survey;
        collect, analyze and synthesize data; develop annual
        preservation proposal for special collections divisions; and
        plan and conduct training.

        5.ABILITY TO HANDLE AND TREAT SPECIAL COLLECTIONS MATERIALS
        -- to perform a variety of conservation treatments on rare,
        unique and fragile special collections.

        HOW TO DEMONSTRATE COMPETENCE ON THE KSAs:  Applicants must
        address each KSA on a separate sheet of plain paper in order
        to be considered for this vacancy.  Applicants should not
        simply repeat entries from the Employment Application form
        in addressing each KSA, but should elaborate on any specific
        experience (as an employee or volunteer), training,
        educational courses, and awards that demonstrate possession
        of the identified KSAs.  Publications are available in
        libraries and book stores to help guide you in addressing
        the KSAs.  Each KSA must be addressed individually and MUST
        NOT exceed one page each.

        EVALUATION PROCESS:  Applicants are first assessed against
        the minimum qualifications requirements for the position. To
        be minimally qualified, applicants must demonstrate a
        minimum level of competence in the knowledge, skills, and
        abilities (KSAs) required to perform the duties of the
        position, and must have the length of time and level of
        education and/or experience as specified in the
        announcement.  Applicants who are minimally qualified will
        be further evaluated to determine the degree to which they
        possess the KSAs identified as quality ranking factors.
        These KSAs are assigned values for purposes of rating.  This
        rating process will determine who will be referred to the
        selecting official for further consideration.

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

The Library reserves the right to fill any number of the
above-described positions that are or become vacant during the life
of this vacancy announcement.

Applicants who are referred for interview must complete Declaration
for Employment (OF-306).

How to Apply:  Submit a Standard Form 171 - Application for Federal
Employment, or the Optional Application for Federal Employment - OF
612, a description of competence on the KSAs on plain paper, and any
other required attachments to:

    Library of Congress Human Resources Operations
    Office 101 Independence Ave., SE, LM 107
    Washington, DC 20540-2295

Note:  For copies of this vacancy announcement, applications or
information on other Library of Congress opportunities, please call
our Employment Office at (202) 707-5627 or our employment hotline at
(202) 707-4315. All applications must be received by the final
closing date to receive consideration for this Vacancy Announcement;
postmarked applications will not be accepted. Individuals who are
not currently employed by the Library must also return the
"Background Survey Questionnaire."

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 10:20
                 Distributed: Tuesday, August 20, 1996
                       Message Id: cdl-10-20-011
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