STEM Technician

Summary This position is located in the Center for Learning, Literacy & Engagement Division, Chief of Staff Directorate, Office Of The Librarian. Position description number 467723. The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area. This position will work a part-time work schedule Tue-Fri: 12-5:30 / Sat. 9-5:30. This is a non-supervisory, non-bargaining unit position. Learn more about this agency Duties Relocation expenses will not be authorized under this vacancy announcement. Serves as a Library of Congress representative to visitors of the Library in person by providing information, interpretation, and responding to inquiries in the Source and during Informal Learning Programs. Communicates with Library visitors and patrons and adapts information as needed for diverse visitors. Engages visitors to provide information or respond to inquiries. Organizes workspaces for public use, such as The Source, STEM cart, and Family Day activities. Communicates with patrons and visitors to help craft their visit to The Source. Prepare and organize informal learning spaces before, during and after public hours. Controls access by checking reservations for school groups, welcoming guests at the entrance to The Source, and alerting guests via signage and verbal communication if informal learning spaces are booked for groups. Makes suggestions for other events and services available at the Library of Congress and surrounding tourist destinations. Provides wayfinding for visitors and patrons to direct them to all Library of Congress services and collections.  Staffs The Source: Where Curiosity Sparks Discovery, STEM cart, Family Days in the Jefferson Building, off-site informal learning events, and occasionally other partner programs or Library sanctioned events on campus or off-site. Guides patrons through The Source, carts, and Family Day offerings. Provide guidance and assistance during school programs. Provides coverage of public areas in The Source, to include cleaning, straightening, opening, closing, offering assistance and wayfinding, addressing functionality of technical and interactive components, and alerting management to operational changes.  Ensures equipment is in good working order and signage is accurate and placed correctly.  Reports deficiencies in equipment to supervisor or senior staff. Reports facility issues to supervisor and/or senior staff.  Follows policies and procedures and directs inquiries for additional information to supervisor and/or senior staff.  Presents talks to the general public or groups, using previously prepared material. Conducts guided experiences through The Source, Family Day activities, STEM cart offerings, and other informal learning programs. Conducts guided tours through exhibits at Library of Congress for Informal Learning programs. Responds to inquiries to most audience questions.  Provides limited guidance to Volunteer Docents and interns or assists volunteers and docents with spotlight programming in The Source, on the STEM cart, school programs, and during Family Days. Makes recommendations for presentation modification or needs based upon visitor feedback. Performs other duties as assigned. 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. Qualifications Applicants must have had progressively responsible experience and training sufficient in scope and quality to furnish them with an acceptable level of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position without more than normal supervision.Ability to serve as a representative to support audience and visitor engagement for a museum or organization.**Ability to provide customer service. **Knowledge within the subject areas of  STEM, history, culture and institutions of Washington, D.C. and the region.**Ability to interact collaboratively with others.  Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.   Education This job does not have an education qualification requirement. Additional information Although it is the Library's policy to afford the maximum pay benefit to employees when setting rates of pay, a new appointee who has had no previous Federal service will generally be paid at step one of the grade. The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants must submit a complete application package that is received by the closing date of this announcement. Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation. For more information, please see:Vetting Process This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please email [email protected]. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be determined on a case-by-case basis.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.  Certification from health care providers are not accepted. For more information contact the Library's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity at 202-707-6024 or email [email protected]. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM.  The Library of Congress is the national library of the United States and is part of the Legislative Branch of the Federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service. The Library reserves the right to fill a lesser or greater number of vacancies indicated during the life of this vacancy announcement. Initial permanent appointments to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period. Probationary periods served at other Federal agencies do not count toward this requirement. The Library of Congress may offer repayment for all or part of federally insured student loans. However, not all service units within the Library of Congress participates in the repayment of federally insured student loans. Therefore, determination to repay a federally insured student loan is subject to approval by the appropriate service unit.A “Not to Exceed" (NTE) status is used to identify an appointment with a specific ending date. However, the Library has the right to separate a NTE employee at any time due to either performance issues or budget constraints.Are you a veteran?  Please indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming in your application materials and/or applicant profile and provide the appropriate supporting documentation to validate your claim.  Those applying for 5-point preference must submit Member Copy 4 of your DD 214.  Those applying for 10-point preference must fill out an SF-15 (click here for the form) and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form.  If required supporting documentation is not attached, Veterans' Preference will not be considered in the application process.  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.