Duties

Has overall responsibility, as well as delegated authority, for the oversight and administration of broad, emerging, and/or critical Library of Congress programs or operations. Responsible for the direction and management of the AFC to efficiently achieve specified goals and objectives generally outlined in the Library's strategic plan. Evaluates current and proposed programs and operations and takes actions to initiate, modify, or discontinue projects in accordance with the service unit's performance budget.

As Director, administers the AFC's public programming, reference, processing, managerial and administrative staff to attain program goals and objectives; directs the AFC's annual budget process and manages budget execution, for appropriated, gift and trust funds; and represents the AFC at professional and management meetings. Provides professional, technical and administrative direction for all activities of the AFC, including the Veterans History Project. Plans AFC's annual program and activities within the Library Services performance budget, and determines short-term and long-range goals and objectives. Determines research and collection development projects for staff, assuring that analog and digital collections are relevant to researcher needs and that they are served in a timely and efficient manner. Coordinates the AFC's security, preservation, and collection and space-management programs. Determines digitization project priorities in consultation with other Library managers. Develops and recommends policies governing the use of collection materials in the AFC's custody, and the provision of reference and research services to meet the needs of Congress, scholars, publishers, and other research communities.

Performs the full range of human-resource management functions relative to the staff supervised. Hires and assigns staff as required. Establishes performance expectations for staff members, which are clearly communicated, and oversees performance-management principles in accordance with Library regulations, procedures and collective bargaining agreements. Provides informal feedback and periodically evaluates staff on job performance. Resolves informal complaints and grievances. Initiates personnel actions as necessary.

Provides advice and counsel to staff members and subordinate managers related to work and policy matters. Effects disciplinary measures within the AFC as needed, including the initiation and approval of adverse actions, and may serve as a higher-level authority for reviewing adverse actions outside the AFC. Reviews and approves or disapproves leave requests. Assures that AFC staff, at all levels, is trained and fully complies with the provisions of the Library's safety and security regulations.

Develops, conceives, plans, and implements policies and guidelines affecting broad, emerging, and/or critical agency programs. Translates new legislation and/or Library strategic goals into program goals, actions, and policies and interprets the impact of new legislative or strategic planning requirements on agency programs. Is recognized as an agency authority on formulating new policies and program objectives that have a broad and/or long-range impact on the Library, as well as the subject fields under the purview of the AFC.

Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with the AFC Board of Trustees and facilitates board meetings to ensure continuity of efforts toward the fulfillment of national goals and objectives. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with various high-level individuals, including members of Congress and their staffs, other legislative and executive agencies, members of the Madison Council, executives of major corporations, and distinguished members of the public, including scholars, in order to advance the mission of the AFC and the mission of the Library of Congress and in furtherance of the Library's strategic goals. Establishes and maintains close and cooperative working relationships with Library of Congress officials and service unit management, the LC Office of Communications, LC Congressional Relations Office, other government agencies, and academic and cultural institutions with related interests in the subject areas within the purview of the AFC.

Serves as primary agency advisor on collections, services, programs and events of the AFC. Counsels senior management staff and officials at multiple levels of the Library of Congress, including senior staff of the Library Collections and Services Group, the Researcher and Collection Services Service Unit, the Special Collections Directorate, the Congressional Relations Office, and the Center for Literacy, Learning, and Engagement on administrative matters.

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 .

Conditions of Employment

Library employees must be fully vaccinated by Monday, January 3, 2022. New hires must be fully vaccinated by the date of their appointment.

Employees are considered fully vaccinated when it has been at least two weeks since they received the second dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine (e.g., Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna) or the single dose of a one-dose vaccine (e.g., Johnson & Johnson/Janssen). At this time, booster shots are not necessary to be considered fully vaccinated.

New hires will be required to show proof of vaccination their first week of work.

Upon request, employees must provide proof of vaccination to the Health Services Division.

Consistent with applicable law, the Library will consider individual exceptions to the vaccination requirement based on an employee's medical condition or sincerely held religious belief. Employees with an approved exception will be subject to weekly testing and other COVID-19 safety protocols as directed, including, for example, wearing masks and social distancing.

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

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:

Knowledge of folklife, ethnomusicology and related fields represented in the American Folklife Center**: The successful candidate has extensive knowledge of primary and secondary research in the fields of folklife, or ethnomusicology in order to administer the Library's folklife programs and collections.

Ability to build coalitions and professional networks**: The successful candidate identified, built, and maintained relationships and professional networks to gain support and commitment from scholars and other learners; the publishing and creative community; and colleagues in the library and archival field. This included: 1) participated in and represented the institution at professional association meetings; 2) worked collaboratively with other departments, agencies and organizations to further agency goals and objectives; 3) established cordial relationships with donors and potential donors to obtain additions to Library collections; and 4) worked with the archival and research library community to identify trends and issues related to the collections and services of the Library.

Ability to lead and manage a program/area of responsibility**: The successful candidate acquired and administered human, financial, material, and information resources to accomplish an organization's mission. Accomplished strategic and operational goals for an agency/organization and in doing so had the following responsibilities: 1) developed program performance objectives/targets that support the organization's mission and goals, 2) conducted regular reviews and prepared annual assessments of accomplishments and outcomes/results, 3) advised senior level officials, 4) oversaw day-to-day operations directly and through subordinate supervisors, 5) worked with both internal and national external organizations to achieve program goals, 6) evaluated current and proposed programs and operations and recommended actions to initiate, modify, or discontinue projects, 7) developed and integrated policies and processes for your area of responsibility, and 8) planned, acquired, and organized resources and people.

Ability to lead people and manage a diverse workforce**: The successful candidate led 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 and archival practices: The successful candidate 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 setting; used this knowledge to create content, organize material, and provide access to special and digital collections. Experience with the following: 1) set priorities and policies for rare and special collections management, including archival processing; 2) cataloging or description of digital collection items; 3) evaluation of collection materials to determine strategies to organize and make accessible, including strategies to address large quantities of unprocessed collections; 4) provided leadership for a collection development program; and 5) worked closely with library subject specialists in setting reference service priorities and targets.

Ability to communicate effectively in writing and review and assess the writing of others: The successful candidate wrote clear, cogent, accurate, well-organized, and understandable written products in the area of information or library management, such as: 1) strategic planning and forecasting documents; 2) policies; 3) budget requests; 4) funding proposals; 5) program goals and objectives; 6) project plans; 7) contract statements of work; 8) program performance documentation; 9) annual reports; and, 10) library program information for the Congress. This included targeting the amount, form, depth and level of detail, and content of the information to the needs of the receiver/audience. Evaluated the written products of others to meet the quality standards of the organization.

Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing: The successful candidate has effectively expressed 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 included actively listening to or understanding communicated information and answering questions thoughtfully and completely.

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 .