The National Archives and Records Administration is accepting applications for the following position under a Delegated Examining Authority. Civil service status is not required to apply. U.S. citizenship is required.

Status candidates who wish to be considered under both merit promotion and competitive procedures must submit two (2) complete applications. When only one (1) application is received, it will be considered under Merit Promotion Announcement #N 01-29.

POSITION: Archives Specialist (Data Standards), GS-1421-12/13

PROMOTION POTENTIAL: GS-13

SALARY RANGE: GS-12, $53,156* to $69,099 pa; GS-13, $63,211* to $82,180 pa (*New employees generally start at the minimum rate. Candidates with prior federal service may start at a rate above the minimum.)

LOCATION: NARA, Office of the Archivist, Deputy Archivist/Chief of Staff, Policy and Communications Staff, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD. (Relocation expenses will NOT be paid.)

NARA'S MISSION: The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), an independent Federal agency, is at the forefront in fields from document preservation to electronic records. Exciting developments in these fields, along with NARA's growing leadership in information technologies, make it a vital and interesting place to work. By ensuring ready access to essential evidence -- documentation from all three branches of the Federal Government of the rights and entitlements of citizens, the actions for which Federal officials are accountable, and the national experience -- NARA is uniquely important in a democratic system that depends upon the preservation and availability of such documentation.

At more than thirty sites across the country - regional archives and records services facilities, Presidential libraries, and three major buildings in the Washington, DC, area - NARA safeguards and makes available millions of records in a variety of media ranging from our Declaration of Independence and Constitution to a rapidly increasing number of modern electronic files. NARA each year welcomes to its exhibits nearly two million visitors and serves the needs of thousands of researchers. NARA assists Federal agencies in documenting their activities; publishes the Federal Register and other official documents; oversees Federal declassification policies; and makes grants supporting initiatives to document American history.

ABOUT US: The headquarters site for the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is a new, state-of-the-art building in suburban Maryland. Adjoining the campus of the University of Maryland, NARA's building is located in a wooded area that offers both beauty and privacy yet has convenient access to urban amenities and to the Beltway. Pleasant working conditions, the latest in equipment, a full-service cafeteria, a fitness center, free parking, a jogging path, a childcare center - NARA's building has the kinds of features that attract new employees today.

NOTE: Two positions will be filled from this vacancy announcement. The first position will focus on lifecycle data standards functions; the second on authority control functions. Specific duties follow.

DUTIES: Leads or serves on teams responsible for evaluating and redesigning lifecycle processes and for designing and implementing new information systems or modifying existing systems; analyzes the impact on agency data standards and coordinates new elements with existing standards. Participates in the contracting process, including evaluation of bids and proposals and selection of vendors; serves as Contracting Officers Technical Representative (COTR) once contracts have been awarded. Participates in the development and maintenance of agency data architecture and data element standards, especially for public access and lifecycle systems. Serves on teams responsible for analyzing the needs for agency information; assists in the translation of needs into a data architecture and data standards for the agency; assists in updating and maintaining agency data standards (data dictionary). Serves on teams responsible for creating or modifying authority records such as those fou! nd in the personal name authority file, the organization name authority file, and the topical subject authority file; responds to requests from staff users; corrects existing authority records from legacy sources. Serves on teams responsible for developing guidance and training in the application of data standards agency-wide; promotes the use of and monitors office compliance with data standards.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED: For GS-12, 1 year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service; for GS-13, 1 year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service.

Specialized experience is experience which has equipped the applicant the particular knowledges, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position as shown above and which is typically in or related to the development and maintenance of data architecture and data element standards for public access and lifecycle systems; and development, implementation and maintenance of authorities files, controlled vocabularies and thesauri for major information systems.

EVALUATION OF CANDIDATES: If you meet the basic qualification requirements, an evaluation will be conducted to determine if you possess the following knowledges, skills, abilities, and other characteristics (KSAO=s) required for this position. This evaluation determines which candidates will be referred to the selecting official for final consideration. Therefore, you are strongly encouraged to submit a separate narrative statement for each KSAO, explaining how your experience, education, awards, training, appraisals, self-development activities, etc. relate to the position being filled. Providing this information is optional; however, you may be at a disadvantage when compared to other applicants by not addressing the following KSAO's. (Note: Please limit responses to one page per KSAO.)

1. Demonstrated knowledge of national and international standards and practices for tracking and describing records of all media types and all origins, particularly government records, throughout their lifecycle in manual and automated information systems.

2. Demonstrated knowledge of archival, records, and information management principles, concepts, practices, and methods, both manual and automated, sufficient to identify, understand, evaluate, and propose NARA policies and procedures for authority control or major program functions (i.e., appraisal and disposition, accessioning, description, preservation and reference).

3. Demonstrated knowledge of information management principles, concepts, practices, and methods such as data or process modeling or the construction, maintenance, and/or application of controlled vocabularies, authority files, and thesauri.

4. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing to staff, management officials, and others.

HOW TO APPLY: You may apply on - Optional Form 612, Optional Application for Federal Employment, - Resume, or - Any other written format. (Standard Form 171 is obsolete but is acceptable). - Your application must include: Job Information - Announcement number and position title and grade(s) Personal Information - Full name and social security number - Mailing address and day and evening telephone numbers - Country of citizenship (U.S. citizenship is required) - Veterans= preference - Highest Federal civilian grade held (also include job series and dates at that grade) Work Experience For each period of paid and nonpaid work experiences related to the job you are applying for, provide: - Job title (include series and grade for Federal jobs) - Duties and accomplishments - Employer=s name and address - Supervisor=s name and telephone number - Starting and ending dates (month/year) - Hours per week - Salary - Indicate if we may contact your supervisor Education - High School (name and address, date of diploma or GED) - Colleges or universities (name and address, majors, type and year of degree - If no degree, show total credits earned and whether semester or quarter hours) Other qualifications - Job-related training courses (title and year) - Job-related skills (language skills, computer skills, tools, machinery, typing speed) - Job-related honors, awards, special accomplishments (publications, memberships in professional or honor societies, leadership activities)

Additional application documents - Narrative KSAO statement Applicants are encouraged to provide a narrative description of their experience as it applies to each of the knowledges, skills, abilities, and other characteristics (KSAO=s) in this announcement. - Veterans preference To claim veterans preference, submit a copy of DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. To claim 10-point veterans preference, submit SF 15, Application for 10-point Veterans Preference. - Background Information Applicants are encouraged to submit NARA Form 3035, Applicant Background Survey. The form is available at www.nara.gov/nara/employ.html.

Note Eligibility will be based solely on the application submitted; incomplete applications may result in loss of consideration.

Application packages must be sent to -

NARA, Human Resources Services Division Human Resources Operations Branch (NHHO) Attn: Pamela Pope 9700 Page Avenue, Room 2004 St. Louis, MO 63132

or hand-carried to -

NARA, Human Resources Services Division (NHH) 8601 Adelphi Road, Room 1200 College Park, MD

This position is full time permanent.

In accordance with 5 USC 3303, recommendations by a Senator or Representative may not be considered except as to the character or residence of the applicant.

Enrollment in Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer is required as a condition of employment for all new employees.

PRIORITY CONSIDERATION: Displaced employees who are well qualified may be eligible for priority consideration under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program. Reduction in Force notice must be submitted with the application package. Well qualified applicants are those who fully meet the qualification requirements, the requirements listed under the section titled "Evaluation of Candidates" above, and are able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry.

Application packages should include all requested documents and must be delivered or postmarked by the closing date of this announcement.

Use of postage paid official government envelopes to mail job applications is a violation of Federal regulations.

For more information and/or forms, contact Pamela Pope at 1-800-827-4898. Hearing impaired applicants should make calls on TDD equipment to 314-538-4799 or 1-800-827-4898.

This agency provides reasonable accommodations during the application process to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact us. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.

Consideration will be given to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, sex, disability, marital status, age, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, or membership or non-membership in employee organization.

Posted by:

Nancy Allard Policy and Communications Staff, NARA

-- Anonymous, March 07, 2001