Become a Collections Maintenance Technician (QA) at the Library of Congress

Have you ever dreamed of walking through the quiet, historic corridors of the world's largest library, surrounded by millions of rare manuscripts, ancient maps, and timeless books? The Library of Congress, located in the heart of Washington, D.C., is currently seeking a Collections Maintenance Technician (QA) to help organize, protect, and maintain its invaluable archives.

As a vital member of the Stack Management Unit, the individual selected for this position will ensure that the physical collections are safe, highly organized, and accessible to members of Congress, researchers, and the general public. This role offers competitive federal pay, unparalleled job stability, and the chance to build a meaningful career on Capitol Hill. Below, we provide a comprehensive look at the role, the agency, the key requirements, and how to successfully navigate the federal application process.

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About the Agency: The Library of Congress

Established in 1800, the Library of Congress is the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States and serves as the research arm of the U.S. Congress. It houses a staggering collection of over 158 million physical items—ranging from historical books and newspapers to fragile film recordings, photos, and manuscripts—as well as more than 37 million items digitized for global access.

Operating within the Legislative Branch of the federal government, the Library is a vibrant community of passionate professionals, scholars, and technical specialists. Its primary campuses are located on Capitol Hill, just steps away from the U.S. Capitol Building, offering employees a dynamic and historic working environment. Working here means contributing directly to the preservation of national and global heritage.

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Job Responsibilities & Daily Operations

As a Collections Maintenance Technician (QA), you will operate as a Collection Management Technician II within the Stack Management Unit. Your day-to-day activities will revolve around quality assurance, precise material organization, and inventory preservation.

Your primary duties will include:

• Material Retrieval & Delivery: Fulfilling incoming requests for materials received through paper call slips or the Automated Call Slip (ACS) system. You will apply sound judgment to locate items based on publication dates, format, and physical condition.
• Priority Client Support: Providing enhanced book-retrieval services, including rapid searches for hard-to-find materials for priority clients such as the Congressional Research Service (CRS) and members of Congress.
• Shelf Integrity & Reading: Conducting regular "shelf reading" to verify that materials are stored in exact classification order. This ensures that nothing is lost and that every item is readily retrievable when requested.
• Preservation & Handling: Operating advanced, automated material handling systems used to sort and process incoming collections. You will perform preventative maintenance on these machines and implement basic preservation techniques to stabilize damaged or aging items.
• Quality Assurance Routing: Identifying cataloging, labeling, or binding errors. When a discrepancy is found, you will route the item to the Acquisitions and Bibliographic Access Directorate or the Preservation Directorate for corrective action.

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Position Details: GS-06 Grade and Pay

This position is classified under the Library Technician series (GS-1411-06) with a promotion potential to GS-07. This is a non-supervisory position represented by the AFSCME Local 2477 bargaining unit.

Position Aspect	Details
Salary Range	$51,957 to $67,543 Per Year (includes locality pay for Washington, D.C.)
Schedule	Full-Time, Fixed Schedule (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM)
Work Location	Washington, District of Columbia (On-Site)
Promotion Potential	GS-07
Bargaining Unit	AFSCME Local 2477

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Required Qualifications & Physical Requirements

While there are no formal education requirements for this position, applicants must demonstrate a solid foundation of technical skills, physical capability, and professional reliability.

Key Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

Your application will be evaluated against several critical KSAs. Those marked with a double asterisk (**) are considered essential for final selection:

• Collection Maintenance: Solid understanding of library archiving, preservation practices, and stack management procedures.**
• Computer Literacy: Ability to confidently navigate computerized databases and utilize search tools to track down materials.**
• Retrieval Methods: Deep knowledge of library cataloging systems and retrieval protocols to quickly find complex call numbers.**
• Time Management: The capacity to organize workloads, manage daily priorities, and meet strict deadlines.
• Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills to work effectively with diverse teams across different directorates.
• Non-Written Communication: Exceptional oral and active listening skills to coordinate with team members and priority patrons.

Physical Demands

This is a physically demanding role. Selected candidates must be capable of:

• Standing and walking for long intervals over concrete or uneven surfaces.
• Recurring bending, crouching, stooping, reaching, and stretching to access low or high shelving units.
• Repeatedly lifting and transporting containers or heavy volumes weighing up to 44 pounds.
• Passing a pre-placement physical examination, with mandatory re-evaluations every three years while on duty.

Federal Suitability & Drug Policy

Because the Library of Congress is a federal agency, all employees are subject to federal law. The use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, is prohibited. Regardless of local laws in the District of Columbia or your home state, marijuana usage is considered a disqualifier for employment and can negatively impact your security clearance or suitability adjudication.

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Comprehensive Benefits Package

Working for the Legislative Branch of the federal government comes with a premier package of benefits designed to support your health, financial future, and work-life balance:

1. Health & Life Insurance: Choose from a wide selection of consumer-driven health plans, dental, vision, and long-term care insurance policies.
2. Retirement Security: Build a reliable future with the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), which combines a traditional pension, Social Security, and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with government matching up to 5%.
3. Paid Time Off: Earn generous amounts of annual leave (vacation) and sick leave, alongside 11 paid federal holidays each year.
4. Student Loan Repayment: You may be eligible to have a portion of your federally insured student loans paid off by the agency, subject to service unit approval and funding availability.
5. Commuter Subsidies: Take advantage of public transit incentive programs to offset commuting costs into Washington, D.C.

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

To be considered for this competitive opportunity, you must submit a complete application online before the closing date on September 24, 2026. Follow these instructions to ensure your package is processed correctly:

Step 1: Optimize Your Resume

Create or upload an in-depth resume on USAJOBS. Unlike private-sector resumes, federal resumes do not need to be limited to one or two pages. Ensure your resume explicitly details how your previous experience satisfies the critical KSAs (marked with asterisks).

Step 2: Access the Online Portal

Navigate to the official USAJOBS posting and select "Apply Online." You will be redirected to the Library of Congress’s Hiring Management system.

Step 3: Complete the Questionnaire

Answer the eligibility and competency questions accurately. Your responses to these questions will determine your preliminary score, so make sure your resume provides concrete evidence supporting your answers.

Step 4: Combine and Upload Documents

If you need to upload multiple copies of similar documents (e.g., two different federal SF-50 forms or multiple academic transcripts), combine them into a single PDF document before uploading. The system only stores the most recently uploaded file of each category; uploading them separately will overwrite your previous submissions.

Step 5: Final Review and Submission

Verify that all of your files are uploaded and readable. Click "Finish" to submit. You can monitor your application status at any time by visiting the "My Applications" tab in USAJOBS.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I work from home in this position?

No. This position requires hands-on handling of physical books, archival documents, and heavy machinery, meaning it is entirely on-site in Washington, D.C.

What happens if I miss the application deadline?

Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time on September 24, 2026. The Library of Congress does not grant deadline extensions under any circumstances.

Who should I contact if I experience technical difficulties?

For any technical system issues, contact the helpdesk at [email protected] before 4:00 PM EST on the closing date of the announcement.

Are relocation expenses covered?

No, the Library of Congress will not authorize relocation expenses or reimbursement for candidates moving to the Washington, D.C. area for this role.

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The position of Collections Maintenance Technician (QA) at the Library of Congress is more than just a job; it is a chance to play an active role in preserving history. If you are a highly organized, physically active individual who thrives in structured environments, this career path offers the perfect balance of competitive compensation, rich federal benefits, and unique historical work. Prepare your resume, highlight your technical database and cataloging skills, and submit your application today to start your journey on Capitol Hill!