Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Patron and Network Engagement Division, National Library Service for Blind/Print Disabled, Library Collections and Services Group.

The position description number for this position is 415313.

This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.

This position requires travel to 15 library sites per year, plus travel to conferences and to other trips as recommended by NLS administration.

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Responsibilities

This position is not eligible for permanent remote telework.

The position reports directly to the Head, Network Services Section and solves highly complex problems, makes significant recommendations to change, interpret, or develop important or innovative information policies, programs, approaches, or analysis methods.

The position provides expert consultative service concerning all aspects of Braille and Talking Book resources to libraries serving readers who are blind and print-disabled in an assigned portion of the NLS four regional conferences; represents NLS as a Senior Network Consultant in contact with a network of cooperating libraries, administering agencies, consumer groups, as well as general public and library professionals; recommends and identifies service trends and specific problems which have general impact on the network and NLS; writes reports, prepares articles for publication, evaluations and correspondence; advises on, reviews and analyzes comparative statistical data related to network libraries; represents NLS at conferences as Senior Network Consultant; and delivers speeches. Provides project management coordination for assigned NLS and network projects.

Provides expert consultative service to an assigned portion of the service network concerning all elements of library service to readers who are blind and print-disabled. Serves as NLS Senior Network Consultant expert on regional library concerns and activities, related to guidance and access, in his or her portion of the nation.

Supports network libraries in collection building activities, assisting with decisions about automation enhancements, advising outreach activities and offering reader advisors training in basic reference tools such as the network library services website resources.

Independently provides effective leadership, management of resource allocation, deliverables and milestones, negotiation skills, realistic scheduling, critical thinking, comprehensive strategic planning, project monitoring, risk management analysis, coaching, communication with stakeholders , and, if needed, contract management.

Coordinates field tests and pilot projects initiated by NLS in collaboration with network libraries. Identifies resources, details timeframes, develops goals and objectives; gathers data when appropriate and required in best practices, and produces reports for orientations, national conferences, yearly events, and trainings.

Works on library information resource matters, including working on agency level committees and working groups to develop recommendations regarding the evaluation of information resources.

Conducts user evaluations while serving as liaison for publications about network activities. Identifies and recommends the need for resources and compiles information for the network Operations s which are devoted to topics of concern to cooperating libraries, such as circulation matters, outreach activities, use of volunteers, cooperation with other community agencies, workflows, staffing patterns, developing services, providing specific examples for libraries with successful or innovative programs. Researches and drafts correspondence for appropriate administrative personnel on inquiries and complaints from Congressional Offices related to network library service.

Organizes and coordinates assignments that involve complex and unusual or obscure problems and/or special requirements. Uses initiative and resourcefulness to exercise flexibility for extending accepted methods, techniques, and practices. Recommends solutions and resolves important issues when precedents do not apply. Identifies areas for improvement in established methods. Develops and shares new information sources. Performs detailed analyses and evaluations of requests. Prepares reports, analyses, and other documents related to information and research efforts. Manages electronic documents including the storage, retrieval, and exchange of information.

Independently performs in-depth analyses in order to develop and interpret related policies and procedures for an organization by reviewing all consultant reports and telephone records on an ongoing basis to identify service trends and specific problems which may have general impact; recommends appropriate NLS action to resolve or ease problems; prepares position papers as necessary. Reviews network publications, forms, applications, and newsletters for accuracy and completeness regarding services offered and conformance to NLS requirements.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - This position requires travel to 15 library sites per year, plus travel to conferences and to other trips as recommended by NLS administration.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
13 - The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

No additional requirements to those listed above.

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 provide consultation and liaison services.**

Ability to plan, develop and execute library programs and projects.**

Ability to manage projects.

Ability to apply analytical and evaluative techniques to develop recommendations.

Ability to communicate in writing.

Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

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.

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.

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.

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 .

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Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

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.