2026 Summer Assistant - Library - Technical Services and Special Collections

This is a summer assistant position with the Library of the Supreme Court of the United States in Washington, D.C. Closing Date: Sunday, 03/01/2026, 11:59 PM ET Please note that this vacancy has a limit of 200 applicants. The job opportunity announcement will automatically close if that limit is reached prior to the closing date.

Duties

• The primary work assigned to the Summer Assistant consists of creating metadata for a complex collection of Supreme Court documents and performing some original cataloging.

• The Summer Assistant will assist with a re-labeling / item record creation project focused on legal materials.

• As time permits the Summer Assistant will have an opportunity to work with the Special Collections / Records and Briefs Librarian to assist in processing materials for the Collection.

Salary

• $27.76/hour

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship
• Meet Experience Requirements (see Qualifications)
• Employment is subject to completion of a successful background check.
• If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See: www.sss.gov

Qualifications

Applicants must meet the following qualifications:

1. Meet education requirements (see below).
2. Demonstrated experience in working with special collections.
3. Demonstrated cataloging or metadata experience, preferably in a library or legal office setting.
4. Demonstrated experience with Microsoft Office products.
5. Ability to communicate clearly, courteously, and effectively both orally and in writing required.
6. Availability for at least eight weeks.

Other Considerations:

1. A law degree or work towards a J.D. is not required, but familiarity with special collections, the American legal system, and/or legal publishing will be helpful.

Education Enrollment in a Master of Library Science degree program including completion of at least two metadata creation or traditional cataloging courses that included RDA and, if not graduated, at least two semesters completed towards a library degree. Other Information Summer Assistants are temporary staff members. Appointments are for a minimum of 8 weeks and a maximum of 13 weeks. Summer Assistants are eligible for the SmartBenefits transit subsidy. Please note that the Court does not offer a parking benefit to Summer Assistants. Required Documents

The following documents are required:

1. A resume
2. A cover letter that explains why you are seeking a summer assistant position with the Supreme Court of the United States in the Library - Technical Services and Special Collections Department, and your dates of availability.

How to Apply

You must upload all the required documents listed above. All documents are required and must be received by the closing date, 03/01/2026, in order to be considered. Please submit only these required documents.

• To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJobs account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJobs resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
• Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package.
• It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
• To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJobs account, https://www.usajobs.gov, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
• To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJobs account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJobs account or your application will be incomplete.