Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Reference Section, Network Division, National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Office of the Librarian, Taylor Street Annex, Washington, DC.

The position description number for this position is 137280.

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.

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Responsibilities

Supervises a group of employees performing technical and professional work up to the GS-13 level.

Provides administrative and technical supervision necessary for accomplishing the work of the unit. Performs the administrative and human resource management functions relative to the staff supervised. Establishes guidelines and performance expectations for staff members, which are clearly communicated through the formal employee performance management system. Observes workers' performance; demonstrates and conducts work performance critiques. Provides informal feedback and periodically evaluates employee performance. Resolves Informal complaints and grievances. Develops work improvement plans, recommending personnel actions as necessary. Provides advice and counsel to workers related to work and administrative matters. Effects disciplinary measures as appropriate to the authority delegated in this area. Reviews and approves or disapproves leave requests. Assures that subordinates are trained and fully comply with the provisions of the safety regulations.

Plans, establishes, and directs a library reference program. Coordinates staff efforts related to NLS reference services, instruction and training, and access services. Initiates, establishes and maintains professional relationships with librarians and other specialists in order to share resources and information. Collaborates with other librarians in developing and providing access to library resources through the web and other means. Participates in the implementation and evaluation of reference and public service policies, procedures, and publications. Implements new reference services and techniques to improve and expand services. Explores applications of automated search techniques for providing improved reference service and coordinates the development of such services. Develops tools and techniques for disseminating information of use to blind and physically handicapped persons and to libraries serving them.

Assignments consist of a broad range of technical information activities or require substantial depth of analysis, and typically require solving problems in information access and dissemination in particularly difficult and responsible circumstances. Reviews and analyzes major issues In Information research and dissemination. Renders services to scholars, research scientists, professionals, military personnel, legislators and their staffs, or other clientele, and officials within or outside The Library of Congress. Oversees assistance given to research scholars. Conducts research and analysis in topics in field of expertise, providing authoritative and definitive results. Provides in-depth analysis on complex customer questions, requirements; and priorities. Develops research methods and/or techniques that serve as models for other libraries and library systems. Prepares definitive and highly complex reports, responses to inquiries and requests, and research papers using knowledge as recognized authority in field of expertise.

Serves as an expert in the organization, development, and implementation of multiple projects. Serves as a project leader, team leader, or chairperson for working groups, task forces, committees, etc., which have been assigned responsibility for specific automated system development or enhancement projects or tasks. Coordinates the details involved in special projects of lasting importance. Organizes and develops projects utilizing critical judgment to determine scope, emphasis, approach, appropriate techniques, and manner of presentation. Develops technical standards or protocols applicable to a library function. Participates in planning the work of a unit, including formulating goals and objectives and identifying opportunities for improvements in methods and procedures.

Provides information analysis and research to resolve a wide range of highly complex issues. Plans and develops new organizational strategies and maintains currency of existing products in area of expertise. Oversees information analysis and research to resolve a wide range of issues. Identifies, examines, and evaluates major publications and trends. Provides consultative services with respect to use of informational services. Prepares reports, analyses, and other documents related to information and research efforts. Prepares written guidelines for the handling of specific types of requests. Writes and/or edits information on The Library of Congress programs, policies, functions, and research as a recognized expert in a subject area. Written products articulate, interpret, and explain the highly complex and important topics of the particular project. Plans all phases of the production process for the specific project. Directs a group of editors in the writing process.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
Yes

Promotion Potential
14

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

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

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 lead and supervise a diverse workforce.**

Ability to organize, develop, and implement special projects.

Ability to plan, establish, and direct a library reference and research program.**

Ability to communicate in writing.

Ability to plan and carry out library programs in an automated environment.

Ability to interact collaboratively with others.

Knowledge of and experience in a disability-related field, especially disabilities related to visual and physical disabilities.

Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.

Education

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. 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 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. In addition, per Library of Congress Regulation 2010-12, an appointee or internal selectee is subject to a one-year supervisory probationary period, if this is his/her first supervisory/managerial position at the Library.

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 may 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, Ethics in Government Act of 1978.

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 evaluates applicants through an applicant questionnaire and a structured interview. Applicants may also be screened for some jobs through licensing, certification, and/or education requirements, a narrative/application review, and/or a preliminary telephone interview. The knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that are marked with a double asterisk (**) in the vacancy announcement and the applicant questionnaire are considered the most critical for a position. To be considered for final selection, applicants must demonstrate fully acceptable experience in these designated KSAs in the narrative/application review, preliminary telephone and/or full structured interview. The various assessment tools listed above are designed to verify or explore applicants' experience, knowledge, and training directly related to the job in order to identify the best qualified applicants for selection.

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 .

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.