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Ascension LLC is seeking a highly experienced NACO Authority Control Specialist to support metadata creation and authority control activities for the Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication (CIP) workflow. This role is designed for a technically strong cataloging professional with hands-on experience creating and updating name authority records in the LC/NACO Name Authority File.

The Library of Congress requirement includes cataloging services for English-language materials in the CIP workflow, with BIBCO-level cataloging, full description according to RDA, creation and updating of name authority records in the LC/NACO Name Authority File, and assignment of Library of Congress Classification, Library of Congress Subject Headings, and Sears Subject Headings. The work is expected to be performed virtually in PrePub Book Link, with the contractor supporting the oldest materials in the workflow.

This position should be posted separately because LC/NACO name authority creation and updates are a specific credibility factor for this opportunity. The ideal candidate will understand authority control at a national bibliographic standard level and will be able to apply independent judgment, precision, and review-level accuracy to ensure records meet Library of Congress expectations.

Summary of Contractor Role

The NACO Authority Control Specialist will support the creation, review, validation, and update of authority records connected to English-language CIP titles. The successful candidate will be detail-oriented, standards-driven, and comfortable working in a production environment where record accuracy, consistency, and turnaround time directly affect the quality of pre-publication metadata delivered to the nation’s libraries.

This role requires strong knowledge of RDA, MARC authority formats, LC/NACO policies, authority record construction, name disambiguation, authorized access points, variant access points, cross references, source citations, and quality review procedures. The candidate must be able to resolve identity conflicts, research names and entities using authoritative sources, document decisions clearly, and coordinate with cataloging staff when authority work affects bibliographic record quality.

This position aligns well to Ascension’s Technical Specialist III labor category because the GSA role requires a bachelor’s degree and six years of experience, performs specialized technical functions aligned to a client’s mission area, supports project execution through domain-specific expertise, provides technical support and review, and coordinates with stakeholders to ensure deliverables meet quality and regulatory standards.

Anticipated Day-to-Day Activities

• Create new name authority records in accordance with LC/NACO standards, RDA, MARC 21 authority format, and applicable Library of Congress guidance.
• Update existing LC/NACO Name Authority File records when CIP materials reveal new, corrected, or enhanced authority information.
• Review names, contributors, corporate bodies, conference names, and other authority elements associated with English-language CIP titles.
• Research authoritative sources, publisher-supplied materials, bibliographic records, reference sources, and online resources to support accurate authority record decisions.
• Establish authorized access points, variant access points, cross references, and source citations with careful attention to identity differentiation and cataloging consistency.
• Validate authority work against LC/NACO conventions, RDA rules, PCC guidance, MARC coding practices, and internal quality control expectations.
• Coordinate with cataloging team members when authority decisions affect BIBCO-level bibliographic records, subject access, classification, or descriptive metadata.
• Resolve name conflicts, ambiguous identities, pseudonyms, changed names, corporate body changes, and related authority control issues.
• Document assumptions, authority decisions, record updates, and quality issues in the required workflow or tracking system.
• Support production tracking by reporting completed authority records, pending issues, records requiring escalation, and quality findings.
• Participate in virtual team coordination through PrePub Book Link or related workflow tools, as required by the Library of Congress.
• Maintain consistent accuracy while working through older CIP materials in the workflow.