Reference Librarian (CL)

Organization
Secretary of the Senate

Department
Senate Library

SALARY RANGE:
Pay Band 8: $85,358-$132,302

Pay Band 9: $92,879-$143,956

FEDERAL RELAY SERVICE:
Speech/Hearing impaired persons may contact the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 TTY

TELEWORK:
This position is eligible for a partial remote work schedule after an initial introductory onsite period.

FLSA STATUS:
Exempt

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS:
3/12/2026 at 7:00pm EST

JOB DESCRIPTION:

This is a career ladder position in the Senate Library under the Secretary of the Senate. An individual selected for the career ladder position will be placed into pay band 8 and will be on a training plan and provided opportunities for development and increased responsibility. This is typically for a period of approximately twenty-four (24) to thirty-six (36) months.
Upon successful completion of the development and performance goals, the incumbent will be recommended for promotion to the position of Reference Librarian II and a promotional increase into pay band 9.
PHASE I – REFERENCE LIBRARIAN I – PAY BAND 8
NATURE OF WORK
The Reference Librarian I is a professional position in the Senate Library. Work involves providing reference, training, and research support services to Senate staff in a timely, confidential, and nonpartisan manner. Work is bound by standard industry guidelines, Secretary of the Senate policies and procedures, the U.S. Senate Handbook, and the Senate Ethics Manual, but requires independent judgment in setting priorities and handling assignments.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Provide specialized reference and research assistance to patrons. Respond to a full range of inquiries, including legal and legislative questions, requests for historical materials and statistical data, and complex research involving difficult-to-locate materials using a wide range of subscription databases, Congress.gov, Library collections, and other materials.

Monitor legislative activities and current events to support patron inquiries and requests. Assist in the development and maintenance of the Library collections by reviewing print and electronic resources to recommend materials for acquisition, replacement, or withdrawal.

Teach patrons about research tools through one-on-one or class instruction. Teach patrons about the services of the Senate Library by conducting tours and leading class demonstrations of research databases. Collaborate with Senate staff on developing search strategies in database and print resources. Maintain knowledge of research tools by attending vendor and library-related classes and webinars.

Present and promote Library services to Senate offices. Contribute to Library outreach efforts such as new staff orientations, National Library Week events, Library tours, promotional materials, and Library display cases. Develop and maintain web content for the Senate’s public website (Senate.gov), the Senate intranet, and the Library’s website.

Maintain current knowledge of the Senate Library’s Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and Continuity of Operations (COOP) plan; participate in periodic exercises and drills.

Provide all customers with the highest level of customer service.

PHASE II – REFERENCE LIBRARIAN II – PAY BAND 9
NATURE OF WORK
The Reference Librarian II is a senior professional position in the Senate Library. Work involves providing reference, training, and research support services to Senate staff in a timely, confidential, and nonpartisan manner. Work is bound by standard industry guidelines, Secretary of the Senate policies and procedures, the U.S. Senate Handbook, and the Senate Ethics Manual, but requires independent judgment in setting priorities and handling assignments.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Provide specialized reference and research assistance to patrons. Respond to a full range of inquiries, including legal and legislative questions, requests for historical materials and statistical data, and complex research involving difficult-to-locate materials using a wide range of subscription databases, Congress.gov, Library collections, and other materials. Mentor new reference librarians and impart specialized knowledge to members of the reference team through regular information sharing meetings.

Monitor legislative activities and current events to support patron inquiries and requests. Assist in the development and maintenance of the Library collections by reviewing print and electronic resources to recommend materials for acquisition, replacement, or withdrawal.

Work with the outreach and instructional services librarian to develop and refine curriculum materials used in library instruction. Participate in instructor evaluation and training. Disseminate information about research tools and services offered to Senate staff and enhance the development of their research skills through one-on-one or class instruction. Teach Senate staff about the services of the Senate Library by conducting tours and leading class demonstrations of research databases. Collaborate with Senate staff on developing search strategies in database and print resources. Maintain knowledge of research tools by attending vendor and library-related classes and webinars.

Present and promote Library services to Senate offices. Contribute to Library outreach efforts such as new staff orientations, National Library Week events, Library tours, promotional materials, and Library display cases. Develop and maintain web content for the Senate’s public website (Senate.gov), the Senate intranet, and the Library’s website.

Maintain full knowledge of the Senate Library’s Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and Continuity of Operations (COOP) plan; perform remote check-in functions for the department in the absence of the Office Emergency Coordinator (OEC); and participate in periodic exercises and drills.

Provide all customers with the highest level of customer service.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

PHASE I – REFERENCE LIBRARIAN I – PAY BAND 8

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed in an office environment with exposure to everyday risks or discomforts, and requires the use of normal safety precautions. Work requires frequent walking, standing, bending, and carrying items up to 25 pounds, as well as regular use of typical office equipment, software programs, and methods of communication such as a computer, email, telephone, and photocopier’s print, scan, and fax functions. This position works on a rotational basis to support the Senate when in session and is therefore subject to the Senate floor schedule, requiring working extended and unscheduled hours two times per month as dictated by the Senate. Regular, predictable, and punctual attendance is required for performance of duties. Work also requires physical presence in the office, except as otherwise required by the Office of the Secretary.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Work requires a master’s degree in library science from an ALA-accredited program and one to three years of professional reference experience, including the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
Ability to select and organize research data for patrons.
Basic knowledge of the Senate as an institution preferred, with a desire and willingness to learn more about the legislative process, as well as the history and operation of the Senate.
Knowledge of Congress, the legislative process and procedures, and congressional documents.
Knowledge of the federal government, the U.S. legal system, U.S. politics, and U.S. history.
Knowledge of the resources, organization, and classification schemes of the Library of Congress.
Knowledge of software and hardware tools, including web page editing software.
Ability to evaluate print and online research resources.
Ability to work cooperatively and effectively in a team setting, both within the Library and outside of organizational lines.
Ability to set and manage project work requirements, multitask, and meet deadlines.
Ability to provide prompt, responsive, and courteous customer service.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATION, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
None.

PHASE II – REFERENCE LIBRARIAN II – PAY BAND 9

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed in an office environment with exposure to everyday risks and discomforts, and requires the use of normal safety precautions. Work requires frequent walking, standing, bending, and carrying items up to 25 pounds, as well as regular use of typical office equipment, software programs, and methods of communication such as a computer, email, telephone, and the photocopier’s print, scan, and fax functions. This position works on a rotational basis to support the Senate when in session and is therefore subject to the Senate floor schedule, requiring working extended and unscheduled hours two times per month as dictated by the Senate. Regular, predictable, and punctual attendance are required for performance of duties. Work also requires physical presence in the office, except as otherwise required by the Office of the Secretary.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Work requires a master’s degree in library science from an ALA-accredited program and four to five years of professional reference experience, including the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
Ability to select and organize research data for patrons.
Knowledge of the Senate as an institution.
Knowledge of Congress, the legislative process and procedures, and congressional documents.
Knowledge of the federal government, the U.S. legal system, U.S. politics, and U.S. history.
Knowledge of the resources, organization, and classification schemes of the Library of Congress.
Knowledge of software and hardware tools, including web page editing software.
Ability to evaluate print and online research resources.
Ability to work cooperatively and effectively in a team setting, both within the Library and outside of organizational lines.
Ability to set and manage project work requirements, multitask, and meet deadlines.
Ability to provide prompt, responsive, and courteous customer service.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATION, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
None.

Veteran's Preference:
Hiring for this position will be governed by the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act of 1998 (“VEOA”), as made applicable by the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995. Pursuant to the VEOA, qualified applicants who are not current employees of the Office of the Secretary of the Senate and who are disabled or who have served on active duty in the Armed Forces during certain specified time periods or in certain military designated campaigns (“veterans”) may be eligible to receive a preference over non-veterans in hiring decisions. Family members of veterans may also be eligible to receive a veterans’ preference if the veteran cannot claim his or her veterans’ preference.

To be eligible for a veterans’ preference, applicants must meet all of the requirements set forth in the VEOA and applicable regulations. Those eligibility requirements are summarized in the Application for Veterans’ Preference, which may be obtained by visiting: https://www.senate.gov/employment/resources/pdf/SOS_VeteransPreference.pdf

If claiming a veterans’ preference, an applicant must indicate that he/she is preference eligible on the application or resume and must submit a completed copy of the Application for Veterans’ Preference along with the supporting documentation specified on that form. If the Office of the Secretary of the Senate does not receive the Application for Veterans’ Preference and supporting documentation by the closing date, the applicant’s claim for a veterans’ preference may be denied.

Applicants may obtain a copy of the Office’s Veterans’ Preference in Appointments policy by submitting a written request to resumes@sec.senate.gov.
Individuals who are entitled to a veterans’ preference are invited to self-identify voluntarily. This information is intended solely for use in connection with the Office of the Secretary of the Senate’s obligations and efforts to provide veterans’ preference to preference-eligible applicants in accordance with the VEOA. An applicant’s status as a disabled veteran and any information regarding an applicant’s disability, including the applicant’s medical condition and history, will be kept confidential and will be collected, maintained and used in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as made applicable by section 102(a)(3) of the CAA, 2 U.S.C. §1302(a)(3). An applicant who declines to self-identify as a disabled veteran and/or to provide information and documentation regarding his/her disabled veteran’s status will not be subjected to an adverse employment action, but the individual may be ruled ineligible for a veterans’ preference.