This position is located in the Middle East And South Asia Section, Asian And Middle Eastern Division, Acquisitions & Bibliographic Access Directorate, Discovery And Preservation Services. The position description number for this position is 457104. 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.
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 communicate in Arabic and English, and preferably Persian or other Middle Eastern languages.** Knowledge of library acquisitions and/or cataloging rules, practices, and procedures.** Ability to organize, analyze, and interpret data related to acquiring and/or cataloging library materials. Knowledge of history, politics, literature, and culture of one or more Middle Eastern countries. Ability to use integrated library systems, applications, or other information technologies. Ability to interact collaboratively with others to provide consultation and liaison services Ability to communicate in writing. Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.
Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement. Catalogs a variety of materials in an automated cataloging environment where the bibliographic characteristics of the material are relatively easy to determine, and cataloging decisions are made within established standards. Searches entries in automated and manual catalogs. Assigns headings to catalog entries. Selects and assigns classification numbers. Establishes personal and corporate names and uniform titles for inclusion in the name authority file. Establishes and recommends subject headings for inclusion in the subject authority file and classification schedule. Creates and revises bibliographic records, authority records, and classification schedules. Performs content designation of bibliographic and authority records. Performs research in the cataloger's reference collection, online databases, the world wide web, and the collections of the Library. Recommends resolutions to problems and inconsistencies in the cataloging process. Provides services and deals with materials that are non-technical in nature, of limited technical complexity, or easily acquired. Coordinates proper purchasing information, correct bibliographic identification, and correct coding in the information system. Contacts dealers, subscription agents, vendors, overseas offices, government agencies, and/or exchange partners to coordinate the order process. Consults acquisitions reference material to determine whether recommended item is appropriate for purchase, copyright claim, exchange, gift, loan, or other type of acquisition. Examines recommendations for acquisition to identify processing and custodial requirements and to identify acquisition of out-of-scope materials. Maintains liaison with recommending officials and subject specialists to understand their needs. Consults acquisitions reference material to determine whether recommended item is appropriate for purchase. Reviews and approves invoices for payment for all formats of material. Determines availability of funds. Obtains, analyzes, and organizes information using standard reference tools and established techniques and practices. Analyzes and organizes standard subject data to determine its relationship to the existing collections, for preferred access points and the need for additional access points. Analyzes material to determine subject content. Applies standard rules, guidelines, and reference tools and established techniques and practices. Participates in formulating plans for changes and improvements to cataloging-related issues. Uses standard methods, techniques, concepts, and principles to perform assignments related to collection development support, with review by supervisor, senior staff and/or recommending officers. Assists in examination of incoming shipments to select items appropriate for the collections, in accordance with established guidelines. Assists in examination of recommendations for acquisition to identify processing and custodial requirements, and to ensure conformity with established guidelines. Participates in formulating plans for changes and improvements to collection development policies. Works to maintain personal contacts and cooperative work relationships in order to provide or exchange information. Consults with the supervisor and cataloging policy staff to recommend changes and additions in descriptive and subject cataloging rules. Offers suggestions and advice to the supervisor on operational and technical problems. Collaborates with the supervisor and other staff in planning and implementing team activities including workflow procedures, team priorities, cataloging projects of an experimental nature, goal setting and strategies for meeting team production goals. Assists others inside and outside the Library with language, subject and cataloging problems. A foreign language is required for this position in the geographical area for which cataloging or acquisitions functions are performed. Must be able to speak, listen, read, and write in a specific foreign language that the incumbent is selected for in that geographical area for which cataloging or acquisitions functions are being performed. Must be able to speak, listen, read, and write fluently in English. Must be able to communicate intended meaning in straightforward, everyday conversations and routine, work-related interactions. Must be able to adequately understand straightforward spoken language on everyday topics, including routine work-related matters. Must be able to adequately understand straightforward written material on everyday topics, including routine work-related matters. Must be able to adequately write straightforward documents and participate in everyday exchanges for routine work requirements and most correspondence. Performs other duties as assigned.