What are the responsibilities and job description for the Archivist position at U.S. National Archives and Records Administration?
Summary
This position is part of the National Archives and Records Administration, Digital Reference Branch. Archivists assigned to this position support NARA's Mission critical reference operations. The incumbents are tasked with reference activities such as responding to offsite reference requests, copying or scanning records for researchers, certifying copies of records, conducting searching of archival collections and compiling search results for projects.
Duties
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The following are the duties of this position at the GS-12. If you are selected at a lower grade level, you will have the opportunity to learn to perform all these duties, and will receive training to help you grow in this position.
As an Archivist, you will:
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Conditions of employment
The experience may have been gained in either the public, private sector or volunteer service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/day/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week on your resume.
Specialized Experience: To be qualified for this position at the GS-9 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience for this position includes:
Specialized Experience: To be qualified for this position at the GS-7 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 level that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience for this position includes:
In addition to the above requirements, you must meet the following requirements, if applicable (as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F):
Time-in-Grade:
For the GS-09, you must have been at the GS-07level for 52 weeks.
For the GS-07, you must have been at the GS-05 level for 52 weeks.
Time After Competitive Appointment: Candidates who are current Federal employees serving on a non-temporary competitive appointment must have served at least three months in that appointment.
Education
Individual Occupational Requirement
Basic requirement for all grades: Bachelor's degree in archival science or bachelor's degree with a major that includes 18 semester hours in archival science, history and/or in political science or government, and 12 semester hours in one or any combination of the following: archival science, history, American civilization, economics, political science, public administration, or government.
OR
Combination of education and experience - at least 30 semester hours that included courses as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Professional experience must be in archival science, or in a directly related field of work such as history that involved the collection, appraisal, analysis, or synthesis of information having historical or archival values.
The education generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. Refer to the OPM instructions.
Additional information
If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire
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.
Help
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.
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.
This position is part of the National Archives and Records Administration, Digital Reference Branch. Archivists assigned to this position support NARA's Mission critical reference operations. The incumbents are tasked with reference activities such as responding to offsite reference requests, copying or scanning records for researchers, certifying copies of records, conducting searching of archival collections and compiling search results for projects.
Duties
Help
The following are the duties of this position at the GS-12. If you are selected at a lower grade level, you will have the opportunity to learn to perform all these duties, and will receive training to help you grow in this position.
As an Archivist, you will:
- Independently develop and deliver responses to non-routine reference requests that draw upon a broad knowledge of records, involve multiple sources of information, employ innovative research techniques, or require interpretation of complex rules or procedures.
- Assist researchers in navigating complex finding aid systems and establish connections between related archival sources, regardless of their physical location.
- Consult with researchers regarding the most effective approach for each specific project and recommends materials applicable to their study.
- Develop knowledge of records in their unit, and familiarizes subordinate archivists, archives technicians, and researchers with existing finding aids and other related materials.
- Plan, develop, and implement effective and coordinated operating methods and tools for achievement of customer service standards and goals. This includes digitization, manipulation of metadata, and/or otherwise preparing records for online access.
- Recommend appropriate solutions to issues arising in fulfillment of reproduction service orders.
Help
Conditions of employment
The experience may have been gained in either the public, private sector or volunteer service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/day/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week on your resume.
- A probationary or trial period may be required. Continued employment is contingent upon supervisory certification that continued employment will benefit the Federal Service; the certification will occur no less than 30 days before the end of the probationary/trial period.
- Must successfully complete a background investigation.
- Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
- If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
- Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form i-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S.
- Designated and/or Random Drug Testing may be required.
- The work is mostly sedentary, however the incumbent must be physically able to perform the duties of this position. Physical demands may include climbing caster-equipped ladders, maneuvering on catwalks, moving heavy carts of records, and handling boxes of records stored up to 15 feet above the floor and typically weighing 50 pounds, occasionally more. The work may also demand considerable periods of maintaining a stationary position, moving, or otherwise positioning oneself to access objects, equipment, or records located in high and low places.
- Please refer to "Conditions of Employment."
- Click "Print Preview" to review the entire announcement before applying.
- Must be U.S. Citizens or U.S. Nationals.
Specialized Experience: To be qualified for this position at the GS-9 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience for this position includes:
- Researching and reporting on archival records; AND
- Providing customer service to various audiences through oral and written communication techniques.
- Education: 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree.
- Combination: You may qualify by a combination of experience and education.
Specialized Experience: To be qualified for this position at the GS-7 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 level that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience for this position includes:
- Performing archival functions, such as monitoring, researching and managing documents AND
- Communicating and assisting with various audiences.
- Education: 1 year of graduate-level education or superior academic achievement.
- Combination: You may qualify by a combination of experience and education.
In addition to the above requirements, you must meet the following requirements, if applicable (as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F):
Time-in-Grade:
For the GS-09, you must have been at the GS-07level for 52 weeks.
For the GS-07, you must have been at the GS-05 level for 52 weeks.
Time After Competitive Appointment: Candidates who are current Federal employees serving on a non-temporary competitive appointment must have served at least three months in that appointment.
Education
Individual Occupational Requirement
Basic requirement for all grades: Bachelor's degree in archival science or bachelor's degree with a major that includes 18 semester hours in archival science, history and/or in political science or government, and 12 semester hours in one or any combination of the following: archival science, history, American civilization, economics, political science, public administration, or government.
OR
Combination of education and experience - at least 30 semester hours that included courses as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Professional experience must be in archival science, or in a directly related field of work such as history that involved the collection, appraisal, analysis, or synthesis of information having historical or archival values.
The education generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. Refer to the OPM instructions.
Additional information
- We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies.
- When the National Archives and Records Administration completes their selections, the remaining lists of qualified candidates may be shared with hiring managers and Human Resources specialists at additional offices, bureaus, or agencies who are hiring for similar positions. You will have an opportunity to opt-in if you would like your name, application material, and assessment results shared with additional offices or bureaus. There is no guarantee of further consideration, and you can continue to explore other job opportunity announcements.
- This is a bargaining unit position. AFGE Council 260.
- We offer opportunities for telework, per Agency policy.
- We offer opportunities for flexible work schedules, per Agency policy.
If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire
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.
Help
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.
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.