Duties

Summary

This position is located in the African and Middle Eastern Division, General and International Collections Directorate, Library Services.

We encourage qualified applicants from a variety of library, scholarly, academic, and information science backgrounds, with expertise in the appropriate regions, languages, and collections, to apply for this opportunity to support the Library's strategy and to establish the program as a center of excellence in area studies.

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Responsibilities

The African and Middle Eastern Division is recognized as a major resource center for Africa, the Middle East, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. Our Middle East program has custody of materials in over 70 languages, the division's largest collections being Arabic, followed by Persian, Turkish, Armenian and Georgian language collections. Additional collections and linguistic groupings include Caucasian, and Central Asian. The division serves as the Library's primary access point for reference and research activities related to the Ancient Near East, pre-Islamic Egypt, Biblical Studies, Jewish Studies, and ancient and modern Israel, with custody of materials in a variety of formats in Hebrew and its cognates, including Yiddish, Ladino, Judeo-Arabic, Judeo-Persian, as well as Amharic, Coptic, and Syriac. The division is also the focal point of the Library's reference and bibliographic activities on sub-Saharan Africa and the Library's collection of Africana, including sources in every major field of study in the social sciences and in the humanities. Language coverage includes English, French, German, Portuguese, and many African vernaculars.

This is a senior executive position at the Library of Congress, responsible for bringing vision, leadership, and innovation to the role. The Chief is the Library's principal expert/specialist in matters dealing with the countries, languages and regions covered by that division. The Chief has full professional responsibility for coordinating activities of the Library related to that geographic area, and for directing the development and maintenance of the Library's collections pertaining to these regions, including the integration of digital technology, and facilitating the effective use of these collections by scholars, researchers, and others worldwide. The Chief formulates the vision, establishes the mission and goals, determines objectives, directs the staff and resources, and evaluates overall performance of the division. He/she sets policies for, administers, and supervises division staff, programs, services, and activities. The Chief is responsible for cultivating relations with potential donors, securing funds for new initiatives, acquiring new collections, and establishing new services. The Chief provides national leadership in the fields of knowledge and information as they relate to the division's geographic responsibility and represents the library at national and international meetings, events and programs, especially those related to the division's regions and countries.

Provides direction and leadership for the Library in response to the rapid changes in foreign societies, in information flows from and about the regions covered by the division, and in emerging research agendas related to the division's area of responsibility. Maintains a comprehensive knowledge of these countries and regions and of the scholarly resources and collections necessary for the study of the region, with in-depth knowledge in at least one related discipline/area.

Constantly evaluates the Library's holdings in this area and seeks to acquire new collections as they become available. Identifies sources for new collections and continuously seeks to improve the quality of the Library's collections and access to information in the division's area of responsibility.

Maintains personal authority and credibility in research/library communities based on a solid record of publications and professional accomplishments. Provides national and international leadership in accomplishing the division's mission, which includes leadership within the Library and among research libraries in the U.S. and abroad.

Recommends strategies for integrating digital content, preservation and services into the Library's existing policy, procedures, work flow, and organizational framework for print collections. Assures implementation of collection development policies and procedures for traditional print collections and for digital content resources. Develops digital collections and digital access approaches, often in collaboration with colleagues inside and outside the institution. Manages custodial responsibilities for print and digital collections, including systematic analysis, evaluation, and direction with operational requirements and work flow considerations.

Develops policies for the acquisition of important collections to ensure that the Library's collections meet the needs of scholars, researchers and all other patrons. Policies involve matters relating to the conduct of initial solicitations and negotiations with prospective donors, appraisal of collections, conversion of materials on deposit to gifts, restrictions on use, conditions of use, and security of the collections.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
Yes

Promotion Potential
00

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 and inspire change in developing and implementing agency values, principles, and direction. This includes the ability to think creatively and recognize innovation; 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; demonstrate flexibility; and promote a culture of change and growth.

Ability to direct area studies program**: The successful candidate has professional knowledge of the countries, languages and regions of Africa or the Middle East in order to command credibility in the research and information communities, to recognize trends in research, and identify collaborative opportunities with persons from the region.

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. Provides 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. Performs human resources management functions such as: manages the budget and personnel planning for organizational units under his/her direction; establishes performance expectations for subordinate supervisors and staff; provides formal and informal performance feedback and evaluated staff; and promotes the goals of equal employment opportunity and ensures the office was free of discriminatory employment practices.

Knowledge of the principles, concepts, and techniques of library or information science: The successful candidate has applied 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 coalitions and professional networks: The successful candidate has the ability to identity, build, and maintain relationships and professional networks to gain support and commitment from scholars and other learners; the publishing and creative community; and colleagues in the library field. This includes: 1) participating in and representing the institution at professional association meetings; 2) working collaboratively with other departments, agencies and organizations to further agency goals and objectives; 3) establishing cordial relationships with donors and potential donors to obtain additions to Library collections; and 4) working with the archival and research library community to identify trends and issues related to the collections and services of the Library.

Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing: The successful candidate has 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 position description number for this position is 058866.

This is a supervisory, non-bargaining unit position.

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 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

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.