Librarian (Law)

Summary The Librarian (Law) position is responsible for providing in-depth, comprehensive legal and multidisciplinary research, collection maintenance and development, orientation and training in using Library resources and services, and has broad programmatic responsibilities for long-term projects that affect the overall effectiveness of the Department of Justice Libraries. Learn more about this agency Duties The duties and responsibilities for a Librarian (Law) GS-1410-12/13 generally include, but are not limited to, the following: Provides comprehensive legal and legislative reference services to customers. Solves complex problems that involve relationships among different library reference functions. Provides training and public awareness to customers regarding US Department of Justice legal and legislative library programs and services. Designs, configures, implements, and evaluates automated library systems to improve services. Creates and updates material for library websites, and ensures it adheres to all Department guidelines Advises and trains experienced librarians in new and emerging library technologies, references, or related information. Requirements Conditions of employment You must be a United States Citizen or National. You will be required to complete a pre-employment security investigation and background check which includes a drug screening. You may be required to complete a one-year probationary period. Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31st 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file. A USA Hire assessment is required. An email will be sent with additional information after you submit your application. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement to complete the assessment. Qualifications To qualify for the position of Librarian (Law), at GS-1410-12/13, you must meet the qualification requirements listed below. All applicants applying for this position at any grade level (i.e. GS-12 or GS-13) must meet the education requirement, specialized knowledge requirement, and specialized experience listed below: Basic Requirement: Applicants must meet the requirements specified in paragraphs A or B below. A. 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 B. 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. Specialized Knowledge Requirements: All Applicants must possess specialized knowledge of law, and their education and experience must have included or been supplemented by the requirements specified in one of the paragraphs below. A. A full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university that meets all academic requirements for a bachelor's degree that included at least 24 semester hours in law or law-related coursework. OR B. Completion of at least 24 semester hours of legal study in an accredited law school for positions primarily concerned with providing library services in law or legislative reference; OR C. Four years of pertinent experience of such nature and level to provide a knowledge of the basic principles, theories, practices, techniques, terminology and expressions of law or a related subject-matter field; an understanding of the standard methods, procedures, and techniques of research and analysis in the field of law; ability to acquire additional information about the field and related fields; and some knowledge of literature resources in the field. Such experience should be equivalent to that which would have been acquired through successful completion of a full 4-year curriculum in an accredited college or university with major study in appropriate subjects, or combination of subjects, as specified in (a) above; or legal training as specified in (b) above. OR D. Any time equivalent combination as described in (c) with education as described in (a) or (b) above. Specialized Experience For the GS-12, you must meet the possess at least 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the GS-11 level or equivalent. Specialized experience is defined as: 1) Developing legal and/or law-related resources directories (paper and/or electronic format); 2) Providing instructional library services to individuals and/or groups; AND 3) Preparing justifications for acquiring new and/or additional materials for a collection. For the GS-13, you must meet the possess at least 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the GS-12 level or equivalent. Specialized experience is defined as: 1) Providing technical and/or program support for electronic library information systems and/or services; 2) Planning, scheduling, coordinating, and/or monitoring the operations of a law library; AND 3) Recommending solutions to fill gaps and/or update library collections to improve service to customers. You MUST meet all qualification requirements by the 04/22/2026 of this announcement. Your resume must support your responses to the online questionnaire and the qualification requirements. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating. See the Required Documents section for important notes about what must be included in your resume. After you submit your application, you will receive notification indicated whether or not the USA Hire assessment is required. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement 04/22/2026 to complete the assessment which is part of your application. Education For education requirements, refer back to qualifications section. Education must be reviewed and certified by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, in order for it to be creditable towards your qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from accredited institution. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website. If you are qualifying on foreign education, you MUST submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation. Additional information Additional selections may be made from this announcement. 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. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. Career Transition Programs (CTAP or ICTAP): These programs apply to Federal and/or DOJ employees who meet the definition of surplus or displaced from a position in the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: Meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; Be rated well-qualified for the position [with a score of 85 or above OR rated Highly Qualified] based on the competencies listed above; and Submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. More information can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/media/1425556/dl?inline. DOJ Reasonable Accommodation Policy: Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. The DOJ Reasonable Accommodation policy can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/reasonable-accommodation#policy Selective Service: If you were born male, on or after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Additional information is found at: www.sss.gov. Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs: The Fair Chance Act prohibits Federal agencies from requesting an applicant's criminal history information before the agency makes a conditional offer of employment. If you believe a DOJ employee or Federal contractor acting on its behalf has violated your rights under this Act, you may submit a written complaint within 30 days of the date of the alleged non-compliance directly to the contact listed below. Note: In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201(b) certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance Act. Expand Hide  additional information 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. 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.