Audio Video Preservation Specialist

WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED:
ALL SOURCES - Applications will be accepted from US Citizens, from current and former competitive service Federal employees, and people eligible under special hiring authorities.

JOB SUMMARY:
Whether you are new to the Federal Government or an experienced professional seeking a career change, you can make history at the National Archives. Our dedicated staff work across a variety of career fields to safeguard the records of the Federal Government - more than 10 billion of them. Visit our Employee Gallery at www.archives.gov/careers to see the kinds of dynamic projects our staff are undertaking. If you want a career where you can see the difference your work makes, then join the National Archives!

You will serve as an Audio Video Preservation Specialist in the Office of Records Services, Special Media Preservation Laboratory located 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, Maryland 20740.

• Perform the duties associated with digitizing original archival audio and video records using computer hardware and software technology as well as tape based analog and digital recorders/reproducers. Produce digital audio and video files as well as produce physical media for preservation and access.
• Perform audio and video processing on these files and produce hard-copy output (tape, optical discs, etc) from these files. Utilize manual dexterity and knowledge of appropriate handling methods to prevent damage or further deterioration to the records and expertise in operating a wide range of audio video equipment so as not to cause further harm or deterioration to the audio video records.
• Utilize knowledge of specialized techniques including the use of microscopic examinations to match grooves in transcription discs to the correct stylus and to evaluate track configurations of many different types of analog audio tapes to ensure that the most accurate copy of the original is made, selecting the most suitable materials and equipment, and adjusting or modifying equipment to meet the requirements necessary to accomplish the tasks at hand. Create administrative and technical metadata documenting the digitization process and enter audio video files and metadata into the digital asset management system used in the audio and video lab.

• Relocation expense will not be paid.
• Responses to KSAs required (see "How You Will Be Evaluated" section)
• More jobs may be filled if additional vacancies occur within 90 days.
• U.S. Citizenship
• Background and/or Security Investigation required.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

To be considered for this position at the GS-09 level, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal Service.

To be considered for this position at the GS-11 level, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal Service.

Specialized Experience is experience which shows that you have the knowledges, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position successfully. This type of experience is generally obtained from having worked in a position similar to the position being filled. Examples of specialized experience include experience utilizing digital audio and video techniques to produce high-quality reproductions while minimizing the loss of sound and/or image quality.

You may qualify for the GS-9 level if you have a master?s degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree that has demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.

You may qualify for the GS-11 level if you have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree that has demonstrated the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.

Time-in-grade restrictions apply for current Federal employees applying under merit promotion procedures. You must have one year of Federal service at the GS-07 to be eligible for a GS-09. You must have one year of Federal service at the GS-09 to be eligible for a GS-11. Time-in-grade restrictions do not apply under public notice procedures.

If selected under public notice procedures, you will be required to serve a one-year probationary period.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

If you meet the basic qualification requirements, we will use your resume and narrative responses to the knowledges, skills, and abilities (KSAs) listed below to identify the best qualified candidates for this position. You must explain how your experience, education, training, self-development activities, appraisals, awards, etc. relate to each knowledge, skill or ability. Describe each KSA separately and limit each narrative to one page. To be considered for the position, you must submit narrative KSA statements with your application package. Failure to address each KSA will result in non-consideration of your application.

Based on the information you provide in your application package, we will assign you to one of three quality categories ? Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Those applicants who are determined to be best qualified will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration. Qualified veterans are placed ahead of nonveterans within each category. Qualified veterans with a service connected disability of 10% or more are placed ahead of nonveterans in the best qualified category

The KSAs required for this position are:

1. Knowledge and/or ability to operate all professional audio and video equipment including traditional dedicated broadcast and recording formats, computer hardware and software used in digitizing audio and video, digital audio and video file formats, and audio and video recordings that were created on now obsolete media and equipment.
2. Ability to properly handle, repair, and reformat damaged, fragile and deteriorated audio and video recordings using highly specialized audio and video equipment such as Digital Audio Workstations, Digital Video Workstations, traditional dedicated broadcast video equipment and dedicated audio equipment for reformatting and archival preservation.
3. Ability in using audio and video software applications for creating, processing, storing, and outputting digital audio and video recordings. This also includes installation, troubleshooting and upgrading of computer software as it applies to functions such as digital recording, signal processing, editing, duplication, and storage.
4. Ability to create administrative and technical metadata and enter audio and video files into a digital management system.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007 to Friday, December 14, 2007

SALARY RANGE: 46,041.00 - 72,421.00 USD per year
New employees usually start at the minimum salary rate. If you have prior Federal service, you may start at a higher rate.

SERIES & GRADE: GS-1001-09/11

POSITION INFORMATION: Full-Time Permanent

PROMOTION POTENTIAL: 11

DUTY LOCATIONS: 4 vacancies - College Park, MD

BENEFITS:

The Federal government offers a number of exceptional benefits to its employees. The following web address is provided for your reference to explore the major benefits offered to most Federal employees. http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/ei61.asp

OTHER INFORMATION:

NARA is a recognized leader in fields from document preservation to electronic records, making it a vital and interesting place to work. At more than 30 sites across the country ? regional archives, records centers, 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 the Declaration of Independence and Constitution to rapidly increasing numbers and types of electronic files. Each year we welcome nearly two million visitors to our exhibits and serve the needs of thousands of researchers. We help Federal agencies documenting their activities; publish the Federal Register and other official documents; oversee Federal classification and declassification policies; and make grants supporting initiatives to document American history.

This position is in the AFGE bargaining unit.

INFORMATION FOR DISPLACED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES:

If you are an eligible Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) applicant you may apply for special selection over other candidates for this position. To exercise selection priority, you must meet minimum qualifications, including selective factors, experience, and education requirements (if applicable), and be rated in the ?Well Qualified? category based on the criteria described under ?How You Will be Evaluated.?

STEP ONE - Resume

All applicants must submit a resume. You may create your resume in USAJOBS, use the OF-612 (Optional Form for Federal Employment), or use another equivalent format. Regardless of the format you choose, you must include:

a. Announcement number and position title and grade.

b. Personal information: Full name, mailing address, contact information, and last four digits of your Social Security Number.

c. Education: High School name and date of diploma or GED, colleges/universities attended and major field(s) of study, total credit hours completed, and type of degree(s) and year received.

d. Work Experience: Job title, hours per week, employer's name and address, supervisor's name and phone number, starting and ending dates of employment (month and year), salary, duties, and accomplishments. Indicate whether your current supervisor may be contacted.

e. Other Qualifications: Job-related training courses, skills, certificates, licenses, honors, awards, and/or special accomplishments.

STEP TWO - Narrative Responses to KSAs

All applicants must provide narrative responses to the KSAs listed in the 'How You Will Be Evaluated' section. Your narratives should explain how your work experience, education, training, self-development activities, appraisals, awards, etc. relate to each KSA. Address each KSA separately. More information: http://www.archives.gov/careers/jobs/ksas.pdf

STEP THREE - Supporting Documentation

a. You must provide a copy of your college transcripts. Note: You must submit copies of college transcripts if substituting education for experience or if specific education is required.

b. All applicants are also asked to submit NARA Form 3035, Applicant Background Survey. This form is available at http://www.archives.gov/careers/jobs/forms/

Current and former Federal employees must also submit:

a. A copy of an SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, that documents your career or career-conditional status or reinstatement eligibility (such as a promotion, reassignment, within-grade increase, or appointment SF-50).

b. A copy of your latest performance appraisal.

c. A second copy of your application package (if you wish to be considered under both merit promotion and public notice procedures). If you submit only one application package and do not specify how you would like to be considered, you will be considered under merit promotion procedures only.

Veterans claiming preference must also submit:

a. A copy of your DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, and

b. If claiming 10-point veterans? preference, SF-15, Application for 10-point Veterans? Preference plus the proof required by the form.

Persons with disabilities and others who are eligible for appointment under special appointing authorities (e.g., service with the Government Accountability Office {GAO}, Peace Corps, etc.) must also:

a. Clearly specify this eligibility on your application and provide supporting documentation as provided by that authority.

Displaced Federal Employees (ICTAP eligibles) must also submit one of the following as proof of eligibility for special selection consideration:

a. A separation notice;

b. An SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, which reflects your current or last position, grade level, duty location, and documents separation from Federal service;

c. An agency certification that you cannot be placed after injury compensation has been terminated;

d. An OPM Notification that your disability annuity has been terminated; OR

e. A Military Department or National Guard Bureau notification that you are retired under 5 USC 8337(h) or 8456.

STEP FOUR - Submit Application Package

We will accept applications via mail, hand-delivery, fax, or online through USAJOBS. Applications submitted via mail must be postmarked by the closing date of the announcement. If hand-carried or faxed your application must be received by the closing date. If applying online, be sure your application is submitted by midnight Eastern Standard Time of the closing date.

Mail or Hand-carry to:

NARA, Human Resources Services Division
Human Resources Operations Branch (NAHO)
Attn: Shawn Sanders
8601 Adelphi Road, Room 1200
College Park, MD 20740

Fax to: 301-837-3195. Be sure to include your name and announcement number on all documents.

Apply Online:

See the full online listing by searching for the position's control number (1057956) at:

http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/

USAJOBS provides a 'Create a Resume' feature to develop and submit a resume. In addition, you must submit a narrative response to each of the KSAs. Narrative responses to the KSAs may be included in your resume in the 'Additional Information' section. If your resume is already saved in USAJOBS, select 'edit' to add KSA narratives in the 'Additional Information' section. Then, the completed resume can be attached to this vacancy announcement and submitted electronically. To do so, scroll down to the end of the vacancy announcement, click on the 'Apply Online' icon, and follow the instructions. You will receive a 'Confirmation of Submission' message. If you do not receive this message, please submit again as this indicates your resume has not been received.

NOTE: Submission of a resume alone IS NOT a complete application. This position requires completion of additional forms and/or supplemental materials as described above. Please carefully review the complete job announcement and the 'How to Apply' Instructions. The additional information may be mailed to the above address or faxed to 301-837-3195.

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

Once your complete application is received we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. We expect to make a selection within 60 days of the closing date of this announcement. You will be notified of the outcome.