RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND ECONOMICS
Agricultural Research Service
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

This position is being filled in accordance with the Alternative Merit
Promotion system.  All merit promotion principles remain in effect.

Announcement Number:     ARS-A8B-8219

Position Title:     Librarian
Series/Grade:     GS-1410-9/11/12
Promotion Potential:     GS-12
Salary Range:     $47,066 to $61,190
Type of Appointment:     Permanent, Full time, Competitive
Location of Position:
            National Agricultural Library,
            Technical Services Division
            Acquisitions and Serials Branch
            Beltsville, Maryland

Opening Date:     June 15, 1998         Closing Date: July 27, 1998
Area of Consideration:     This is a competitive vacancy, open to all  United
States citizens.

APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED FROM USDA SURPLUS EMPLOYEES IN THE
COMMUTING AREA.

DUTIES: As an Acquisitions Librarian in the Acquisitions and Serials Branch
the incumbent performs a variety of tasks in support of collection
development, selection and acquisition of materials for the Library's
collection.  Typical duties include:  Participating in the implementa- tion,
management, and coordination of the integrated library system  pertaining to
functions of acquisitions, including fiscal control,  serials management,
communication with vendors, ordering and receiving.   Serving as a Contracting
Officer of the US Government for the purpose  of acquiring library materials
for NAL.  Processing orders, determining  which vendors to use, and monitoring
the performance of vendors to ensure  fulfillment of requirements and
compliance with established agreements and  policies.  Recommending and/or
selecting monographs, serials, and other  library materials to be added to the
NAL collection in subjects, formats,  countries of origin and/or languages
assigned in accordance with the NAL  collection development and subject scope
policies in agriculture and related  sciences.  Determining processing
priorities and methodologies.   Participating in collection assessments and
collection building efforts.
Serving on NAL committees which require acquisitions and collection
development knowledge and expertise.  At the higher grades that incumbent
will also administer the GPO Depository Library Program and serve as  liaison
with Public Services Division staff in matters relating to  filling user
requests, claiming missing publications, identifying and  filling collection
gaps.

QUALIFICATIONS: All applicants must meet the minimum basic requirements for
entry into professional library positions including:

GS-9: Completion of all course work required for a masters degree and two
full years of graduate study in Library Science OR completion of one year  of
graduate study in library science and one year of professional experience  in
librarianship.

GS-11: Completion of all course work required for a postdoctoral degree or
three full years of graduate study in Library Science OR in addition to
meeting the basic or educational requirements for GS-9, also have one  year of
professional experience in librarianship.

GS-12: One year of experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade
level (GS-11).

APPLICANTS WILL BE EVALUATED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING KNOWLEDGE,
SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (KSA'S) IN TERMS OF THEIR EDUCATION, WORK
EXPERIENCE, AND PERFORMANCE RATINGS.

1.    Knowledge of a range of library and information science concepts,
theories, principles, practices, and procedures, including specialized
knowledge of collection, development, selection and bibliographic
verification sources.

2.    Knowledge of electronic bibliographic retrieval systems and automated
acquisitions, and serials control systems.

3.    Knowledge of USMARC Format for Bibliographic Data, USMARC Format for
Holdings Data, and Anglo-American Cataloging Rules, 2nd edition (AACR2).

4.    Knowledge of acquisitions, gift and exchange and/or selection
activities.

Selective Placement Factors: The following factors will determine who meets
the minimum qualifications. Applicants MUST submit a specific response to
each factor.

1.    Knowledge of collection development and subject scope policies in
agriculture and related sciences.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

HOW TO APPLY: Send a resume, curriculum vitae, SF-171, or Optional Application
 for Federal Employment, OF-612, to the Contact address. The following
information is needed to evaluate applicant qualifications and to  determine
if applicants meet legal requirements for Federal employment:

.    Announcement number, title, and grade(s)

.    Full name, mailing address (including zip code) and day and evening phone
 numbers (with area code)

.    Social security number

.    Highest Federal civilian grade held

.    Highest education level achieved. Specify:
    -    Name, city, state, zip code (if known)
    -    Date or expected date (month/year) of completion of degree
requirements
    -    Type of degree received
    -    Graduates of foreign universities must include proof of foreign
education equivalency to an accredited U.S. college/university

.    Copy of college transcripts or list of college courses (if required
under QUALIFICATIONS or if applicable to the position).

.    Paid and nonpaid work experience related to the position. For each work
experience include:
    -    Job title
    -    Series/grade (if Federal employment)
    -    Duties and accomplishments
    -    Employer's name and address
    -    Supervisor's name and address
    -    Starting and ending dates
    -    Hours per week
    -    Salary
    -    Indicate if we may contact current supervisor/employer

.    Job-related:
    -    Training courses (title and year)
    -    Skills (e.g., other languages, typing speed, computer software/
hardware, tools, etc.)
    -    Certificates/licenses (current)
    -    Honors, awards, and special accomplishments

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

.     STATUS REQUIRED: Applicants must be current Federal competitive service
employees or former employees with competitive service reinstatement
eligibility.

.    Applicants will be evaluated based on the quality and extent of their
experience, education, and accomplishments.  This may include factors such as
number of credits in directly related subjects, grade point average,
relatedness of work experience, and any other evidence of ability to do the
work of the position. For current and former Federal employees, the
performance evaluation may also be taken into consideration. Please be sure
that your  application or resume contains all of the information we need to
determine if you are well qualified.

.     Relocation Expenses:
    [ ]     may be authorized.
    [X ]     will not be authorized.

.     USDA surplus/Federal displaced employees must submit documentary
evidence of eligibility.  Well qualified surplus and displaced employees
within the local commuting area will receive selection priority as  provided
by OPM regulations.  Well-qualified means the applicant meets the basic
qualification and eligibility requirements and all selective placement
factors;  is rated above minimally qualified against the knowledge,  skills,
and abilities or quality criteria; and is able to satisfactorily  perform the
duties of the position upon entry. Applicants must submit the  following:
    -    a copy of their RIF Separation Notice (for displaced employees)  OR
Certification of Expected Separation or other documentation  identifying you
as surplus;
    -    evidence of full performance level of current position;
    -    a copy of their most recent performance appraisal; and
    -    a copy of their most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action,
to verify reassignment eligibility.

.    Current Federal employees must submit their most recent performance
appraisal.

.    Applicants with Federal reinstatement eligibility should submit an SF-50,
 Notification of Personnel Action, documenting competitive eligibility.

.     If applications do not contain all of the requested information,
applicants may lose consideration for the job.

.     If applicants make a false statement in any part of their application,
they may not be hired; may be fired after they begin work; or may be  fined or
jailed.

.    Applicants will not be notified of the status of their application  until
a final selection has been made.

.    Applications submitted via Government envelopes, Government FAX machines,
 or electronic mail will not be accepted.

.     APPLICATIONS MUST BE
        [X ] POSTMARKED
        [ ] RECEIVED BY THE CLOSING DATE OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT.

SPECIAL HIRING AUTHORITIES: Special hiring authorities may apply to disabled
individuals, former Peace Corps, Vista, action cooperatives, volunteers,  VRA
eligibles, and 30 percent disabled veterans.

CONTACT:

For application forms, write to, visit or call:

USDA/ARS/AFM/HRD/ESB
5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Stop 5104
Beltsville, MD 20705-5104
(301) 504-1484 (Request for Vacancy Announcement)

Submit applications to: The address above address
ATTN: Mary E. Byrd (301) 504-1333
(Specific Questions ONLY)

For employment information:
INTERNET ADDRESS: www.ars.usda.gov
DIAL-A-VACANCY: 301-504-1482
DC RELAY SERVICE: 202-855-1234 (TDD)

THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
EMPLOYER.