Librarian (IS-1410-11)

Application Deadline: 28 June 2024

Department: Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Cambridge, MA

Compensation: $81,963 - $106,549 / year

Description

OPENING DATE: June 14, 2024

CLOSING DATE: June 28, 2024

SERIES/GRADE: IS-1410-11

TYPE OF POSITION: Trust Indefinite (Non-Federal)

DIVISION: High Energy Astrophysics Division

LOCATION: Cambridge, MA

AREA OF CONSIDERATION: This position is open to all eligible candidates.

What are Trust Fund Positions?

Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program and may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Childcare), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).

Conditions of Employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation, as required.
• Complete a Probationary Period if applicable.
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
• The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
• Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
  
  

This is a career ladder opportunity with promotion potential to grade 12. Selection for this position to be made at the grade 11 . Candidates may be non-competitively promoted to the next grade level, up to grade 12, upon the recommendation of the supervisor based on classification requirements, satisfactory performance and qualifications of the employee.

INTRODUCTION

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) is at the forefront, internationally, of the scientific exploration of the universe. SAO combines its resources with those of the Harvard College Observatory to form the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA). The CfA is the best-known astrophysics center in the world. Its programs range from ground-based astronomy and astrophysics research to space-based research, the engineering and development of major scientific instrumentation for space launch and use in large ground-based facilities, and research designed to improve science education. The research objectives of SAO are carried out primarily with the support of Government and Smithsonian Institution funds, with additional philanthropic support. Government funds are in the form of Federal appropriations or the form of contracts and grants from other agencies. In contrast, Institution funds are available to SAO through grants from the Institution's Restricted Funds, Special Purpose Funds, Bureau Activities, Business Activities, and non-Federal contracts and grants.

Summary

The position serves as the Digital Technologies Development Librarian in the NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS) Project, High Energy Astrophysics Division of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory.

MAJOR DUTIES

• Develop and maintain software tools and documentation for SciX content management and development activities, in collaboration with senior staff.
• Make recommendations for new and creative approaches and methods to manage, analyze, and report acquisitions and accessioning of the SciX collection
• Optimize collection management and user feedback workflows using automation
• Participate in the development and improvement of the SciX collection to meet the evolving research needs of the SciX users community
• Participate in the curation and use of knowledge manage systems to support indexing and discovery of SciX content
• Communicate with users and collaborators to understand their needs, provide feedback and serve as SciX liaison
• Strives to promote equitable delivery of services through the development of programs and practices which allow the services to support the users
• Maintains current knowledge of emerging trands, research technologies and research services
• Other duties as required
  
  

Qualification Requirements

Applicants must meet the requirements specified in paragraphs A or B below.

• 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

• 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.
  
  

Additional Education And Experience Requirements

In addition to meeting the basic entry qualification requirements, applicants must have directly related education and/or specialized experience in the amounts required for the grade level as shown below.

Minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least grade 9 in the normal line of progression for this occupation. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position such as ability to program in python, ability to access APIs, and datamining skills.

In lieu of meeting the minimum qualifications with specialized experience, applicants may qualify with the following education:

Have completed 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education in library science

or have completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree related to the position

OR

A combination of experience and education as described above that equates to one year of experience. My percentage of the required education plus my percentage of the required experience must equal one hundred percent.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required:

• A professional knowledge of the theories, principles and objectives of librarianship and digital library management as applied to research libraries catering to the physical sciences.
• Knowledge of digital library technology, databases, the internet, and the development of Web resources to assist with planning, design, implementation, installation, and user education required for optimal use of these systems and resources; the incumbent must also be able to recommend enhancements to the systems offered by the library as technology evolves.
• Knowledge of Linux/Unix as environments for software development, preferably using version control
• Knowledge of structured data and metadata formats (e.g. JSON, XML) and applying these formats in API and data harvesting routines
• Excellent organization skills and aptitude for complex and analytical and detailed work
• Knowledge of and the ability to locate information from a wide variety of sources
• Ability to modify standard library practices and techniques and adapt computer systems
  
  

Applicants, who wish to qualify based on education completed outside the United States, must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.

Any false statement in your application may result in your application being rejected and may also result in termination after employment begins.

The Smithsonian Institution values and seeks a diverse workforce. Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."

Resume/CV should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week. College Transcript should be provided if using education for qualification.

What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact [email protected]. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian's Accommodation Procedures.

The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: www.si.edu/oeema.

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in our workplace. Please visit the SAO website at http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/