A rare thing these days – a job !
This position is located in the Research and Reference Services Division, General and International Collections Directorate, Library Services.
The position description number for this position is 241007.
The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area.
The incumbent of this position will work a flextime work schedule.
This is a supervisory, non-bargaining unit position.
Responsibilities
The Main Reading Room of the Library of Congress, capped by a dome 125 feet in the air, and surrounded by marble columns and bronze statues, is one of the world’s great research destinations and the symbolic heart of the Library of Congress. Visited every year by hundreds of thousands of researchers and tourists, it is the hub of operations for the Researcher and Reference Services Division (RRS), a division responsible for a wide array of services to Congress and the public. The division has responsibility for the reference collections of both the Main Reading Room and the Local History and Genealogy Service, one of the world’s premier collections of U.S. and foreign genealogical and local historical publications. The division also has custodial responsibility for the microform and machine-readable materials collection in the Microform and Electronic Resources Collections Reading Room. RRS also provides the Library’s public services for reader registration, inter-library loan and Congressional loan, and general collections retrieval.
The Chief of RRS is a senior executive position at the Library of Congress, responsible for bringing vision, leadership, and innovation to the role. The Chief provides national leadership in the fields of research, reference, and information science as they relate to the division’s responsibility and represents the library at national and international meetings, events, and programs. The role involves setting strategies to organize, digitize and make information accessible; ensuring community-based engagement and diversity in collections development; implementing innovative onsite and online user experiences that support traditional and evolving forms of research; and pursuing creative and practical channels for increasing user engagement with the Library, its staff, and collections.
Coordinates with subordinate supervisors to plan budgets, programs, policies and procedures for the Division. Serves as the Division’s chief management official, supervising in all areas cited above. Directs and encourages growth and maintenance of the Division’s collections and facilitates and increases their use and access nationally and internationally. Serves as a senior information specialist in one or more of the subject areas of the Research and Reference Services Division, with responsibility for establishing and developing collections and services under the purview of the Division, including the appraising external collections for possible acquisition; soliciting donations from private collectors and creators with historically important materials which would enhance Library’s collections; and the conversion of materials on deposit to gifts. Recommends monographs, serials, and electronic databases in one or more areas of interest to RRS for inclusion in the Library’s General collections. Coordinates with other government agency officials and research institutions interested in collaborative projects and inter-agency agreements. Ensures collections security, in collaboration with appropriate management and staff in the Division and officials throughout the Library.
Develops, conceives, plans, and implements policies and guidelines impacting a wide range of emerging, and/or critical agency programs. Interprets new legislation and/or Library strategic goals into program goals, actions, and policies, interpreting the affect of new legislative or strategic planning requirements on Library programs. Recognized as a Library authority in planning and developing new policies and program objectives with a broad or long-range impact on the Library, as well as the subject fields under the purview of the Research and Reference Services Division.
Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with various high-level managers and officials, including Members of Congress and their staff, other legislative and executive agencies, members of the Madison Council and other executives of major corporations, and distinguished members of the public including scholars, to advance the mission of the Research and Reference Services Division and the mission of the Library of Congress, furthering its strategic goals. Reports regularly on the effectiveness of all intra-division activities and collaborative projects and programs.
As primary agency advisor on collections, services, programs and events of the Research and References Division, counsels senior management staff and officials at multiple levels of the Library of Congress, including senior staff of Library Services and the General and International Collections Directorate on administrative matters. Advises senior managers on the appropriate methods and techniques to achieve program goals and objectives. Serves on inter-agency, national, and/or international special work groups, task forces, or expert panels on special projects or studies essential to the resolution of far-reaching operating issues and problems.
Travel Required
Not required
Supervisory status
Yes
Promotion Potential
00
Job family (Series)
1410 Librarian
Requirements
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
See requirements listed below under Qualifications Required.
Your resume is important to this application process. It will be reviewed to determine whether you possess the qualifications referenced above. All applicants are required to submit a resume that provides specific information (to include accomplishments, work experience and education/training) that clearly describes what you would bring to the position. The Supervisor leads his/her staff toward meeting the Library’s vision, mission, and goals by acting decisively, leveraging diversity and inclusiveness, demonstrating flexibility and resilience, fostering continuous improvement and innovation, and fostering integrity and honesty. To view the Library’s Supervisory Core Competencies click the following link: http://www.loc.gov/hr/employment/uploads/loc_supervisor_core_competencies.pdf.
Qualifications
The competencies below are required for this position. Those marked with a double asterisk (**) are considered the most critical competencies for this position.
A candidate’s resume must show a proven record of accomplishment that clearly demonstrates he or she has:
Ability to lead and inspire change**: The successful candidate has the ability to lead tasks and people effectively and inspires change in developing and implementing agency values, principles, and direction. This includes the ability to promote ideas with enthusiasm, conviction, and assertiveness; resolve contentious situations; solicit and consider others’ opinions; gain support and commitment from others; motivate and inspire others; and promote a culture of change and growth.
Ability to direct a research services center, library, or similar cultural program**: The successful candidate has the professional knowledge of the oversight and management of all aspects of a research services center, library, or similar cultural program, in order to command credibility in the research and information communities, to recognize trends in traditional and evolving forms of research, and identify collaborative opportunities with internal and external partners.
Ability to lead people and manage a diverse workforce**: The successful candidate has the ability to lead people to meet an organization’s vision, mission, and strategic goals, including ongoing improvements in customer services. Provided an inclusive workplace that fostered the development of others, facilitated cooperation and teamwork, and supported constructive resolution of differing opinions by using innovative approaches and future-oriented thinking. Performed human resources management functions such as: managed the budget and personnel planning for organizational units under his/her direction; established performance expectations for subordinate supervisors and staff; provided formal and informal performance feedback and evaluated staff; and promoted the goals of equal employment opportunity and ensured the office was free of discriminatory employment practices.
Knowledge of the principles, concepts, and techniques of library, research or information science: The successful candidate has the ability to apply professional knowledge of library and information management principles, concepts and techniques to manage library functions and carry out library programs in a research library or information science setting; using this knowledge to create content, organize material, and provide access to digital collections. Experience with the following: 1) developed and implement modern strategies for general and special collections development and management; 2) set strategies to organize, digitize and make information accessible; 3) provided leadership for community-based engagement and diversity in collections development; 4) enriched the online and offsite user experience around collections and services; 5) implemented innovative onsite user experiences that support traditional and evolving forms of research 6) pursued creative and practical channels for increasing user engagement.
Ability to build and engage coalitions and professional networks in support of mission: The successful candidate has the ability to communicate effectively other than in writing: The ability to effectively express ideas and recommendations other than in writing in various settings to peers, staff, managers, supervisors, and external audiences to both provide and seek information. This includes actively listening to or understanding communicated information and answering questions thoughtfully and completely.
Education
Additional information
All initial appointments, permanent or indefinite, to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period. In addition, all newly appointed Senior Level executives, from outside the Library as well as from within, must serve a one year probationary period in accordance with the Library of Congress Regulations (LCRs) 2017.2-1, Senior Level Executive System.
The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer. All who meet the eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply.
Applicants must submit a complete application package that is received by the closing date of this announcement.
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please email ADA@loc.gov. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Applicants with disabilities may be considered under special hiring procedures and must submit an appropriate certificate of eligibility when applying for this position. The proof or disability/certification may be issued by the State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of the applicant’s college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The letter must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and must be dated within three years of the date of the application. Certification from health care providers are not accepted. For more information contact the Library’s Office of EEO/Diversity Programs at 202-707-6024 or email spp@loc.gov. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM.
The Library of Congress is the national library of the United States and is part of the Legislative Branch of the Federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service. Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation.
The Library of Congress may offer repayment for all or part of federally insured student loans. However, not all service units within the Library of Congress participates in the repayment of federally insured student loans. Therefore, determination to repay a federally insured student loan is subject to approval by the appropriate service unit.
The selected applicant will be required to file a financial disclosure statement with the House of Representatives, U.S. Congress, in accordance with the provisions of Public Law 95-521, the Ethics in Government Act of 1978.
Are you a veteran? Please indicate the type of veterans’ preference you are claiming in your application materials and/or applicant profile and provide the appropriate supporting documentation to validate your claim. Those applying for 5-point preference must submit Member Copy 4 of your DD 214. Those applying for 10-point preference must fill out an SF-15 (click here for the form) and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form. If required supporting documentation is not attached, Veterans’ Preference will not be considered in the application process.
For more information regarding eligibility requirements, please see the Library of Congress Merit Selection Plan, Section X.D, at: http://www.loc.gov/hr/employment/msp010909.pdf.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
The Library of Congress will evaluate applicants using the information provided in your resume. Reviews are intended to explore applicants’ experience, knowledge, and training directly related to the job in order to identify the best qualified applicants for selection. For Senior Level positions, applicants do not need to respond to specific competency questions but will be requested to answer one question related to how they became aware of this job opportunity.
To preview questions please click here.
Background checks and security clearance
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test required
No
Required Documents
Required Documents
Current or former federal employees must submit their most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent).
Applicants with disabilities may be considered under special hiring procedures and must submit an appropriate certificate of eligibility when applying for this position. The proof or disability/certification may be issued by the State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of the applicant’s college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The letter must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and must be dated within three years of the date of the application. The program does not accept certification from health care providers. For more information contact the Library’s Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity Programs at 202-707-6024 or email spp@loc.gov. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Benefits
Benefits
A career with the U.S. Government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Help
This job is open to
The public
U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Clarification from the agency
Anyone may apply – By law, employment at most U.S. Government agencies, including the Library of Congress, is limited to U.S. citizens. However, non-citizens may be hired, provided that other legal requirements are met and the Library determines there are no qualified U.S. citizens available for the position.