Duties

Coordinates educational program efforts for the most difficult programs or projects with unusually demanding social, economic, cultural, governmental, and political conditions. Provides leadership and direction for implementing educational programs/projects of major size and/or complexity. Coordinates program efforts and special projects for educational initiatives for NLS patrons relating to library and information services. Assists in executing instructional initiatives of major library impact; writes technical publications concerning educational initiatives; and represents NLS and the Library of Congress on special projects and programs for public and private organizations and the library community. Provides leadership in identifying and analyzing patron training needs for operating NLS systems such as Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD). Recommends optimal organization and structure for training. Lists objectives and specific training methods such as hands-on, demonstration and/or tutorial. Determines prerequisites and the length of courses.

Initiates, plans, conducts and/or participates in national and regional meetings, seminars, and conferences for the purpose of gaining support of and advancing NLS objectives for enhancing patron utilization of NLS library services. May serve as project or team leader for working groups, task forces, and/or committees assigned specific projects or tasks in the development, coordination and administration of patron training courses. Courses have particular emphasis on traditional library skills and information technology skills. Advises NLS management and network librarians on educational technologies, distance learning techniques, and library innovation appropriate for NLS patrons. Serves as a resource and technical expert for accessible online training systems and activities. Provides technical support and expertise to network libraries on the design and delivery of local and regional technical support and training programs.

Serves as an expert in educational program/project planning and development impacting sizable populations in multiple states/locations, with large and complex issues and problems. Provides expert advice in broad educational program areas impacting the specialized skills required for providing library service to the blind and print disabled. Expert advice encompasses specialized and commercial consumer digital audio and braille technologies and assistive devices that enable eligible populations of this program to read. Provides leadership and guidance to NLS and network staff on new developments and national trends in education and training such as web casting, conferencing and web design; and makes recommendations on accessibility of these media. Initiates research and development of customized courses required by patrons to keep up with state-of-the-art technological advances within NLS and frequently used consumer products. Courses should place emphasis on skill development for patron use of computerized library systems and internet delivery both for social and information networks to support access, and acquisition of digital media such as digital braille and audio books, multimedia and web site content. Develops specifications for library, technical and information science training created in-house or acquired through the federal procurement process. Serves as Contracting Officer's Representative in guiding, monitoring, and reviewing contracted materials. Develops training strategies, media selection and instructional design. Compiles comprehensive instructor and trainee documents for conducting training and initiates changes and updates to course content, approach, or method of presentation.

Develops and applies new program methods, approaches, and/or technology or extends, revises and adapts existing methodology to new and unusual situations. Provides advice and assistance in the resolution of difficult program management and administrative operational problems and/or issues that include significant controversies or difficulties presenting barriers to program delivery and application. Provides technical assistance in the development and implementation of new or expanded instructional programs. Provides guidance on educational matters to include program design, content and evaluation to network librarians on network library patron training and technical support programs. Collaborates with PNE personnel on matters impacting patron access to NLS systems and content including patron-focused training and instructional material for new or enhanced NLS products and services.

Performs research, development, and implementation of new and innovative methods of delivering academic and/or career development programs. Provides advice and guidance to NLS and network managers in the analysis, design, development, implementation and evaluation of training and distance learning programs at NIS.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Conditions of Employment

At present, the Library of Congress will not enforce an earlier policy to require all employees be vaccinated against COVID-19. However, employees are required to certify their vaccination status, which is used to plan and implement workplace safety protocols, such as those related to mask-wearing, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine. Upon request, new hires may be required to show proof of vaccination to the Health Services Division. Library employees who are not vaccinated may be required to undergo testing for COVID-19 every seven days.

Library of Congress employees are prohibited from using illegal drugs, including marijuana. The Library is part of the Federal Government and abides by federal law, so regardless of individual state or District of Columbia laws, marijuana use is illegal, considered criminal activity, and can affect your employment at the Library. In addition, past drug use and activities (e.g., selling or distributing) may deem you ineligible for employment.

Qualifications

Applicants must have had progressively responsible experience and training sufficient in scope and quality to furnish them with an acceptable level of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position without more than normal supervision.

Ability to apply new and emerging assistive technology to the development and delivery of educational projects and/or programs.**

Ability to coordinate educational program/project activities.**

Ability to plan, organize, and execute work.**

Ability to interact collaboratively with others and provide consultation or liaison services.

Ability to communicate in writing to support educational programs and projects.**

Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.

Additional information

Although it is the Library's policy to afford the maximum pay benefit to employees when setting rates of pay, a new appointee who has had no previous Federal service will generally be paid the minimum step of the grade.

The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities who meet eligibility requirements are strongly 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 reserves the right to fill a lesser or greater number of vacancies indicated during the life of this vacancy announcement.

Initial appointments, permanent or indefinite, to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period.

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.

A "Not to Exceed" (NTE) status is used to identify an appointment with a specific ending date. However, the Library has the right to separate a NTE employee at any time due to either performance issues or budget constraints.

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.