Duties

Provides expert technical knowledge and operational knowledge of audio production and direction, reformatting systems and production pipelines. Resolves significant problems involving state-of-the-art production styles and techniques, planning, and scheduling. Coordinates a wide range of broadcast and production techniques, and directs the audio recording of the Music Division’s concert series and related events in the Coolidge Auditorium, Whittall Pavilion and other locations in the Library to include on the Library grounds. Coordinates other audio recordings for the Music Division providing liaison activities with the client(s) or artist(s) to ensure scheduling, effective recording methods, and venues. Directs the recording of performances and lectures in various digital file formats, and schedules preservation and conservation of them for the Library’s archives. Generates and prepares digital audio files for use on the Library’s web site. Oversees the post-production editing and assembly of audio for the Library’s radio series “Concerts from The Library of Congress”. Conducts technical rehearsals with artists to ensure events are accurately captured to meet archival and broadcast quality standards. Records live events such as poetry and literary readings, lectures, seminars and panel discussions presented by other Library divisions.

Directs studio recording sessions for the Music Division and other divisions with projects ranging from radio programs, podcasts, interviews and voice narration. Examples include announcements for the annual book festival, Veterans History Project interviews, oral histories, exhibit promos, and more. Installs or directs lower level staff to install and/or setup audio equipment, follows scripts when applicable, instructs voice talent, calling for re-takes and assuring the producer’s desired intellectual and emotional vision is captured.

Plans, organizes and directs video recordings of the concert series and other public events in the Coolidge Auditorium and Whittall Pavilion. Directs and records studio video productions of interviews including world-class composers, musicians, poets, artists, scholars, and Library officials including the Librarian of Congress.

Attends rehearsals which are critical to producing professional, archival, broadcast quality recordings. Uses rehearsals to determine the technical requirements for the production, i.e. microphone placement, camera angles, etc. Responds to questions regarding the support systems under the incumbent’s control and works directly with talent.

Requires great flexibility to deal with last minute changes in “run of show,” late arrivals, script changes, etc. These diversions from the “normal” flow require great knowledge of equipment capabilities and limitations and the ability to rapidly adapt to changing situations which can happen when working with creative artists.

Serves as audio engineer for preservation and recording projects. Applies technical expertise, setting up and calibrating equipment for Library staff and officials, scholars and artists for CDs, DVDs and various audio file formats. Ensures optimal functionality of audio equipment for productions. Makes professional quality preservation copies from aging or damaged originals in the archives. Provides sound engineering and audio mixing services for projects to be published commercially. Plans and manages programs for commercial recordings including planning, development, evaluating sound quality, managing inventory and monitoring the manufacture of commercial recording projects. Analyzes sound quality and suitability for publication and establishes production schedules.

Coordinates logistics, controls expenses, develops contract specifications; the productions managed have extensive planning/scheduling complications, i.e., productions involving numerous support personnel, specialized equipment and props. Identifies state of-the-art processes and technology, and determines overall value to the productions. Meets regularly with producers to discuss production methods and all aspects of Library programs. Counsels and recommends equipment purchases. Works with the division’s financial manager to develop and administer an annual equipment and supply budget.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Library of Congress employees are prohibited from using illegal drugs, including marijuana. The Library is part of the Federal Government and abides by federal law, so regardless of individual state or District of Columbia laws, marijuana use is illegal, considered criminal activity, and can affect your employment at the Library. In addition, past or current drug use and activities (e.g., selling or distributing) may deem you ineligible for employment.

How You Will Be Evaluated

• Benefits

  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.

  Review our 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.

• Required Documents

  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

  Current or former federal employees must submit their most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent).

  Applicants with disabilities may be considered under special hiring procedures and must submit an appropriate certificate of eligibility when applying for this position. The proof or disability/certification may be issued by the State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of the applicant’s college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The letter must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and must be dated within three years of the date of the application. The program does not accept certification from health care providers. For more information contact the Library's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity Programs at 202-707-6024 or email spp@loc.gov. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM.

  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

  Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

• How to Apply

  Please carefully follow all instructions under the How to Apply tab to ensure you are considered for the position.

  You are required to apply online for this announcement. We are unable to accept mailed or emailed documents. You must complete the entire application process, including submission of all documents BEFORE this announcement closes. To do so, complete the following steps.

  Step 1: If you do not already have one, create a resume on USAJOBS. Although you must enter your Social Security Number for USAJOBS, this information will not be provided to the Library of Congress.

  Step 2: Review the Job Announcement. We recommend you go to the end of the Qualification and Evaluation section of the job announcement to preview the online questions that you will answer in Step 4. You may wish to customize your USAJOBS resume to ensure that it supports your responses to these questions.

  Step 3: Click on the "APPLY ONLINE" button to the right of this announcement. Follow USAJOBS' instructions to access your account and submit your resume. You will be redirected to the Hiring Management website to complete the application process. If this is your first time in Hiring Management, you will be asked to answer questions related to your eligibility for Federal employment. You will be able to update this information and save it to our account for future announcements.

  Step 4: Once you have completed the eligibility questions, you will be taken directly to the vacancy application questions. Answer all questions honestly and thoroughly.

  Step 5: Hiring Management offers three options that will electronically attach your documentation to your online application once you finish answering the questions in the job announcement.
  (1) You may select a document that you have already uploaded to USAJOBS for a previous announcement.
  (2) You may electronically upload a document directly from your computer to your application. Be certain to review your complete application for confirmation of the document uploaded and click on "Finished" to be returned to USAJOBS.

  IMPORTANT NOTE: If you have multiple documents of the same kind, e.g. 2 undergraduate transcripts from different schools or 2 SF-50s, etc., be sure that they are all in the same file on your computer or in your USAJOBS profile before uploading them. If you try uploading them individually, only the last one sent will be visible in our system. If you have any questions about this information, please contact the person on this announcement BEFORE the closing date.

  Step 6: Click on "Finish" after you have completed your application. Once you have submitted your application, you can check your status online through your Hiring Management or MY USAJOBS account. Your complete online application and any required supplemental documentation (e.g., SF-50, etc.) must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of the announcement. It is your responsibility to ensure that all documents are received on time and that the materials are readable. Failure to do so will result in your application being excluded from consideration for this announcement.

  If you are experiencing any technical difficulty with the online process, you MUST CONTACT THE POINT OF CONTACT FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE. For all technical issues please contact jobhelp@loc.gov , no later than 4:30pm EST of the Closing Date. REQUESTS FOR EXTENSIONS WILL NOT BE GRANTED.

  Agency contact information

  Customer Service Center

  Phone

  202-707-5620

  Fax

  000-000-0000

  Email

  JobHelp@loc.gov

  Address

  LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
  101 Independence Ave SE,
  LM-107
  Washington, District of Columbia 20540
  United States

  Next steps

  Please review our evaluation process under Evaluation. You may check the status of your application for this position at any time by logging onto the USAJOBS "My USAJOBS" tab and clicking on "My Applications." You will receive final notification via e-mail when the vacancy has been filled.

• Fair and Transparent

  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Financial suitability
  • Selective Service
  • New employee probationary period
  • Signature and false statements
  • Privacy Act
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

Clarification from the agency

Anyone may apply - By law, employment at most U.S. Government agencies, including the Library of Congress, is limited to U.S. citizens. However, non-citizens may be hired, provided that other legal requirements are met and the Library determines there are no qualified U.S. citizens available for the position.