Recent Graduate – Archives Technician, National Archives, Waltham, MA
Posted November 7, 2015
Agency: National Archives and Records Administration
Job Announcement Number: JD1545625SWP
JOB SUMMARY:
In the Recent Graduates Program you will serve in a training capacity as an Archives Technician in the Research Services division at the National Archives at Boston located at 380 Trapelo Road, Waltham, MA 02452.
Whether you are new to the Federal Government or an experienced professional seeking a career change, you can make history at the National Archives. Our dedicated staff works across a variety of career fields to safeguard the records of the Federal Government – more than 10 billion of them.
Visit our Employee Gallery at www.archives.gov/careers to see the kinds of dynamic projects our staff are undertaking. If you want a career where you can see the difference your work makes, then join the National Archives!
For more information visit: http://www.archives.gov/boston/
Who May Apply: Recent Graduates
NARA’s Recent Graduates Program: This position is being filled under the Pathways – Recent Graduates Program. The program affords developmental experiences in the Federal government intended to promote possible careers in the civil service for students who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs and seek a dynamic, career development program with training and mentorship. To be eligible, applicants must apply within two years of degree or certificate completion (except for veterans precluded from doing so due to their military service obligation, who will have up to six years to apply).
Program Eligibility: To be eligible, applicants must apply within two years of degree or certificate completion, i.e., a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution (except for veterans precluded from doing so due to their military service obligation, who will have up to six years to apply).
A veteran, who due to a military service obligation, was precluded from applying to the Recent Graduates Program during any portion of the 2-year eligibility period described shall have a full 2-year period of eligibility upon his or her release or discharge from active duty. The eligibility period may not extend beyond 6 years from the date on which the individual completed the requirements of an academic course of study.
Pathways Participant Agreement: Recent Graduates Program selectees will be required to sign an agreement which outlines program requirements and noncompetitive conversion eligibility.
Position Duration/Expectation: The Recent Graduates Program is a 1-year career development program. Participants who successfully complete the Recent Graduate Program may be eligible for conversion to a permanent appointment or a term (1-4 years in duration) appointment without further competition.
Click here for more information on Pathways program participants.
KEY REQUIREMENTS
- U.S. Citizenship
- Background Investigation or Security Clearance
- More than 1 job may be filled if additional vacancies occur within 90 days
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
- You will be required to serve a one-year trial period
DUTIES:
This is a development position. At the full performance level, you may perform all or some of the following duties.
Reference: Providing written or oral “first-line” reference assistance and consultation; responding to all forms of inquiry concerning NARA’s archival holdings, in original or surrogate format, by using complex finding aid systems and related archival sources, in both electronic and analog formats. Assist researchers in navigating complex finding aid systems and establishing connections between related archival sources regardless of their physical location. Provides input and feedback on reference needs and finding aids.
Arrangement: Performs detailed and complex arrangement work following a plan (or guidance) approved by his/her supervisor or team leader. Perfects the arrangement of records according to established criteria and/or reviews records to provide input on how a series of records should be arranged.
Preservation, Holdings Maintenance and Reformatting: Evaluates the physical condition of records in the course of other duties and alerts supervisor or other designated staff to condition problems that limit access or threaten the safety of records. Determines and/or carries out the appropriate preservation and/or holding maintenance actions for all record formats. Supports disaster recovery operations. Creates or updates needs assessment forms for entries in the official physical control system to reflect preservation and/or holdings maintenance needs or actions completed. Leads, coordinates and implements projects to physically relocate or ship records for storage or reference needs.
Description: Prepares online catalog descriptions of holdings at all levels according to NARA’s life cycle standards and Research Services policies and procedures. Develops and implements moderately complex archival description projects under the direction of an archivist. Assists in the preparation of finding aids for complex records under the guidance of an archivist.
Accessioning and Disposal: Assists in accessioning and disposal of all record types under the guidance of an Archives Specialist or Archivist. Checks accessioned records for completeness and supervises their placement in the stacks. May perform tasks using the electronic accessioning systems necessary for transferring records ownership to NARA. Coordinates, monitors, or carries out the physical relocation and shelving of holdings. Updates physical and descriptive data for existing series in relevant databases. May also create physical and descriptive data in these systems for new series.
Customer Service: Greets visitors, assists with registration, and directs to appropriate NARA resources as necessary. Anticipates, identifies, and resolves customer service problems pertaining to reference and associated records handling and security issues. Assists management and lead staff with implementation and evaluation of customer service initiatives. Provides input and feedback on customer service effectiveness and needs. Gathers and reports customer service data.
Other: Maintains up-to-date knowledge regarding the large and complex variety of records series within NARA in order to locate requested material and re-file material released after the review and/or reference process is completed. Trains lower grade employees or volunteers. Organizes and coordinates the work of lower grade archives technicians, as requested. Participates in unit meetings, contributes to group decision making, provides input on ways to improve the efficiency of the work, accepts personal responsibilities and displays initiative in accomplishing and promoting the mission of the agency and the unit.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT: The majority of work is sedentary, but will require some climbing of caster-equipped ladders handling thereon boxes of records weighing up to 50 pounds that are stored up to 14 feet above the floor, as well as standing, walking, stooping, bending and lifting.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement. Do not overstate or understate your level of experience and demonstrated capability. You should be aware that your ratings are subject to evaluation and verification based on the resume and other relevant documents you submit, as well as through verification of references, as appropriate. Later steps in the selection process are specifically designed to verify your stated level of experience and demonstrated capability. Deliberate attempts to falsify information may be grounds for not selecting you or for dismissing you from the position following acceptance.
Basic Qualifications: You must be a recent graduate who has completed, within the previous two years, a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution. Note: Veterans unable to apply within two years of receiving their degree, due to military service obligation, have as much as six years after degree completion to apply
GS-06 – Candidates must have had one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) to perform successfully the duties of the position as described above, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled.
Examples of specialized experience for this grade level include performing various archival records activities, such as: performing reference service, preservation action, arrangement, description or accessioning of archival records.
Education may be substituted for Experience. GS-6: Successful completion of one-half year of graduate coursework from an accredited educational institution in a related field such as History, Library Science, Political Science, Government, Archives and Records Management, etc. **Transcripts MUST be provided if qualifying based on education.
Combination of Experience and Graduate Education: A combination of experience and graduate education from an accredited educational institution may be used to meet the total requirements for this position. **Transcripts MUST be provided if qualifying based on a combination of education and experience.
Please refer to the Office of Personnel Management’s, Operating Manual: Qualifications Standards for General Schedule Positions for further information https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=Group-Standards
All education must be from accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education requirement). Applicants may verify accreditation at the following website: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Index.aspx
Once you complete and submit your application package, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the job requirements. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the occupational questionnaire. Your resume must specifically and clearly show your possession of the required specialized experience and your possession of the required competencies. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications on the competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities related to the position. Qualified candidates will be assigned to one of three quality categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified.
The required competencies for this position are as follows:
- Problem Solving
- Execution and Results
- Customer Service
- Communication
- Utilizes Computer Technology
- Conducts Archival Processing
- Applies Knowledge of American History
- Performs Reference Service
Competitive Applicants/All U.S. Citizens – Based on the information you provided in your application package, you will be assigned to one of three quality categories – Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Those applicants who are determined to be best qualified will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration. Qualified veterans are placed ahead of non-veterans within each category. Qualified veterans with a service connected disability of 10% of more are place ahead of non-veterans in the best qualified category.
NOTE: If, after reviewing your resume and supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or responses are not supported by your resume or transcript, your eligibility will be adjusted. Please follow all instructions carefully.
BENEFITS:
OTHER INFORMATION:
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
Qualifications by Closing Date: You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement. Please note that qualification claims will be subject to verification.
Participant Agreement: All students must complete a written Participant Agreement with National Archives that clearly identifies expectations of the appointment such as duties, work schedule, length of appointment, etc.
Conversion to the competitive service: Subject to any limits on conversion imposed by the Office of Personnel Management, and in accordance with the provisions of the Student Internship program, NARA may noncompetitively convert an eligible student to a term or permanent competitive service position.
Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) to Hire Heroes Act of 2011: If you are currently serving on active duty a certification from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is signed. If you supply a certification at this stage, your preference/eligibility will be verified prior to appointment. For more information about Veteran’s Preference, please click this link:http://www.opm.gov/employ/veterans/html/vetguide.asp.
Please upload veteran’s documents under the appropriate category.
Veterans’ Preference: If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans’ preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty or other proof of eligibility (The member 4 copy of your DD-214, or other copies that indicate character of discharge is preferable). If you are claiming 10-point veterans’ preference, you must also submit an SF-15, “Application for 10-Point Veterans’ Preference” plus the proof required by that form. For more information on veterans’ preference see Veteran’s Information Page, USAJOBS – Veterans.
HOW TO APPLY:
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on Monday, November 09, 2015 to receive consideration.
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package.
- It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
- To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
- To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Faxing Applications or Supporting Documents:
You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.
NOTE: If you applied online and your application is complete, do not fax the paper application (1203FX) as this will overwrite your prior online responses and may result in you being found ineligible.
If you completed the occupational questionnaire online and are unable to upload supporting document(s):
- To fax your documents, you must use the following cover page http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf and provide the required information. The Vacancy ID is 1545625
- Fax your documents to 1-478-757-3144.
If you cannot complete the Application Package online, you may fax all of your materials. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on Monday, November 09, 2015 to receive consideration. Keep a copy of your fax confirmation in the event verification is needed.
To complete the occupational questionnaire and submit via fax:
- Click the following link to view and print the occupational questionnaire View Occupational Questionnaire
- Print the 1203FX form, follow the instructions and provide your responses to the occupational questionnaire items http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdfimage/opm1203fx.pdf.
- Fax all six pages of the completed 1203FX form along with any supporting documents to 1-478-757-3144. Your 1203FX will serve as a cover page for your fax transmission.
NARA provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Human Capital Specialist listed below for this vacancy.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
- Resume – Relevant work experience must include: Job title, duties, hours worked per week, starting and ending dates of employment (month and year), and salary.
- Response(s) to Occupational Questionnaire.
- Copies of your most recent current college transcripts, which show your field of study, school name, current GPA or academic standing, past and current course work, degree program, major/concentration, date completed program and/or conferred date. “Unofficial” transcripts are acceptable. (Prior to appointment an official college transcript will be required).
- Veterans Preference documentation (DD-214 – member 4 copy or other copies that indicate character of discharge or equivalent, SF-15 and VA Letter as appropriate).
AGENCY CONTACT INFO:
Office of Human Capital
Staffing and Classification Br
1 Archives Drive – Room 370
Saint Louis, MO
63138-1002
WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT: