Position at Library of Congress

Conservator (Photography)
Library of Congress
GS-1001-12 (7478) $45,236 - $58,808 *
Washington, DC 20540-2295
Vacancy Announcement Number 980341
4 Feb 99

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

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

Position Location: Preventive Conservation Section, Conservation
Division, Preservation Directorate, Library
Services; James Madison Memorial Building.
Tour of Duty: Full-time.  Incumbent may elect to work a compflex or
flextime work schedule.
Type of Appointment: Permanent
Non-supervisory, Bargaining unit position
Number of Vacancies: One

Incumbent will perform conservation work on the full range of
Library Photographic materials. Will perform a wide variety of
chemical tests and analytical techniques.  Incumbent will work in
collaboration with others to develop safe and new or improved
testing procedures.  Will be responsible for documenting all
features of photographic material received for treatment and will
use the darkroom studio and equipment.In addition, incumbent will
execute conservation actions and actual treatments on the rarest or
most complex photographic material. Will perform liaison duties,
assist in the planning and direction of program for conserving
photographic collections, and give tutorials.

Minimum Qualifications: 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 which demonstrates a minimum
level of proficiency in each of the following knowledge, skills, or
abilities (KSAs):

    Knowledge of preservation and conservation fields, and a
    knowledge of the history of photography and the chemical nature
    and preservation of photographic 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 photographic materials.

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

1. KNOWLEDGE OF PRESERVATION AND CONSERVATION FIELDS, AND THE
KNOWLEDGE OF THE HISTORY OF PHOTOGRAPHY AND THE CHEMICAL NATURE AND
PRESERVATION OF PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIALS--Incumbents perform
conservation work on photographic materials, survey collections,
develops annual preservation plans and consult with others on
preservation and reformatting issues.

2. ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE AND INTERACT WITH OTHERS-- Incumbents
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-- Incumbents write treatment
reports, annual preservation proposals, consultant reports, projects
status reports and other correspondence.

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

5. ABILITY TO HANDLE AND TREAT PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIALS-- Incumbents
perform a variety of conservation and preservation treatments on
rare, unique and fragile photographic 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 their employment application 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 requirement for the  position.  To be
minimally qualified, applicants must demonstrate a minimum level of
competence in the knowledge, skills, or 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 a
Declaration for Federal 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 12:58
                 Distributed: Friday, January 15, 1999
                       Message Id: cdl-12-58-019
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