Commission Virtual Reference Librarian Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Summary
The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) provides legal services to the Chairman, Commissioners, Executive Director, and all Commission Divisions regarding litigation, statutory interpretation, rulemaking, proposed legislation, and other legal matters arising under the Commodity Exchange Act (the Act). OGC addresses matters that are often novel, complex, and sensitive in nature.
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Duties
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This position is located in the Secretariat and Information Management Branch, Library Unit. The Law Librarian serves the entire CFTC, providing support for staff in headquarters and in the three regional offices (New York, Chicago, and Kansas City). As such, the incumbent is responsible for the full range of library services. At the full performance level these duties include working with the Senior Librarian or independently to:

• Deliver advanced legal and regulatory reference services to Commission staff using specialized databases and print resources; develop and conduct training and create research guides that support legal and policy work.
• Support the law library's collection and program by acquiring, organizing, and maintaining legal and regulatory materials; recommend improvements to metadata, access, and collection development.
• Manage library contracts, purchase card actions, database licenses, and vendor relationships; coordinate with IT and vendors to resolve access issues and evaluate new research resources.
• Maintain and enhance the integrated library system (ILS) and electronic research tools, including troubleshooting, access management, and development of web content and digital interfaces.
• Assist the Team Leader/Senior Librarian with budget planning by preparing usage data, cost analyses, and recommendations that inform resource allocation and program improvements.
• Perform or lead advanced library operations, including circulation, interlibrary loan, serials control, collection maintenance, and participation in special projects to improve digital access and research services.

Requirements
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Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship
• Background/Security Investigation
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• May be required to serve a one-year probationary period.

Qualifications
BASIC QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

1. 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
2. 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.

In addition to meeting the Basic Qualification Requirement above, candidates must also meet the specialized experience requirement below for consideration.
SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS

1. 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university that meets all academic requirements for a bachelor's degree that included at least 24 semester hours in the specialized field for which the applicant is being considered; or that included any combination of subjects with at least 15 semester hours in a major subject that is especially applicable to the position; OR
2. Completion of at least 24 semester hours of legal study in an accredited law school for positions primarily concerned with providing library services in law or legislative reference; OR
3. Four years of pertinent experience of such nature and level to provide a knowledge of the basic principles, theories, practices, techniques, terminology and expressions of the appropriate discipline or subject-matter field; an understanding of the standard methods, procedures, and techniques of research and analysis in the subject-matter field; ability to acquire additional information about the field and related fields; and some knowledge of literature resources in the field; OR
4. Any time equivalent combination as described in (3) with education as described in (1) or (2) above.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: In addition to meeting the basic requirement and specialized experience above, applicants must also meet the minimum qualification requirement listed below.
CT-11 Level: To qualify for the CT-11 level, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the CT/GS-09 level.
Specialized experience is defined as experience that demonstrates professional knowledge of library science and involves:

• Providing legal reference services;

and one or more of the following law-library functions:

• Assisting with collection development, developing or updating law-library procedures, maintaining legal research guides; OR
• Assisting users in navigating legal research tools and delivering introductory training sessions to help users improve their research skills; OR
• Maintaining and updating the library website and the integrated library system (ILS); OR
• Supporting acquisitions activities by monitoring orders for legal materials, preparing procurement documentation, tracking budget information, and coordinating with vendors regarding requests.

OR

• 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education in library science or doctoral degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) related to the position
• Or a combination of graduate level education and specialized experience that together meet the qualification requirements of this position.

CT-12 Level: To qualify for the CT-12 level, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS/CT-11 level.
Specialized experience is defined as experience demonstrating professional knowledge of library science and involves experience:

• Providing legal reference services;

And two or more of the following law-library functions:

• Assisting with collection development, developing or updating law-library procedures, maintaining legal research guides; OR
• Assisting users in navigating legal research tools and delivering training sessions to help users improve their research skills; OR
• Maintaining and updating the library website and the integrated library system (ILS); OR
• Supporting acquisitions activities by monitoring orders for legal materials, preparing procurement documentation, tracking budget information, and coordinating with vendors regarding requests.

Selective Placement Factor:
Applicants must demonstrate the ability to perform professional-level legal reference using major legal research databases such as Westlaw, Lexis, or Bloomberg Law. Experience must include locating, interpreting, or summarizing statutes, case law, regulations, administrative decisions, or other legal authorities. Failure to provide evidence of this experience in your resume will result in an ineligible rating.
Education
Please refer to the OPM Librarian Series for the specific Education/Experience requirements for this position.
To be creditable, education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. You must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criterion, see www.ed.gov.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html
Additional information
This is a Bargaining Unit Position located in the National Treasury Employee Union (NTEU) Chapter 337.
Relocation: Relocation expenses will not be paid.
Probationary Period:
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• Your performance and conduct;
• The needs and interests of the agency;
• Whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• Whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary/trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

More than the number of positions listed may be filled through this vacancy announcement.
The overall salary range is provided for informational purposes as it represents the full range that is applicable to current employees in this occupation/grade. A new hire's direct and overall experience are critical factors in determining a salary offer, therefore, it is important that your resume fully reflects all of your work experience. Note that the upper end of each range is typically applicable only to candidates with significant years of work experience and qualifications Please review the CFTC Compensation Program website for additional information.
The law prohibits public officials from appointing, promoting, or recommending their relatives. The law prohibits requesting, making, transmitting, accepting, or considering political recommendations for employment or other personnel actions for non-political positions. This includes recommendations from Members of Congress, Congressional employees, elected state or local officials, and political party officials and any recommendation based on party affiliation.
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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.
Benefits
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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.
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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.