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Library of Congress

Supervisory Librarian (Section Head Africa Section)_

Library of Congress, Washington, District Of Columbia, United States, 20080


Summary This position is located in the Africa Section, African, Latin American and Western European Division, Acquisitions and Bibliographic Access Directorate, Discovery and Preservation Services. The position description number for this position is 137599. The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustment for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area. This is a supervisory, non-bargaining unit position. Responsibilities The incumbent of this position serves as Section Head and is responsible for managing the work of the section, which focuses on the acquisition and cataloging of serials, electronic resources and government publications from the United States. The incumbent plays a leading role in managing the transfer of US government publications into and out of the Library, as well as in its relations with other government agencies within the United States as part of this. The incumbent manages the section responsible for the majority of both electronic resource acquisitions and web harvesting acquisitions within the Acquisitions and Bibliographic Access directorate. The incumbent oversees the work of a staff of librarians and library technicians performing these functions, performing administrative and human resource management functions relative to the staff supervised. The incumbent serves under the administrative supervision of the division chief. The incumbent works highly independently, exercising considerable judgment, and carries out duties and responsibilities in accordance with broad overall guidelines and policies. Supervises a group of employees performing work up to the GS-13 level. Provides administrative and technical supervision necessary for accomplishing the work of the unit. Determines the human resources needed to accomplish the work of the unit, and independently plans, schedules, coordinates and carries out the unit's activities. Performs the administrative and human resource management functions relative to the staff supervised. Establishes guidelines and performance expectations, including quality assurance, for staff members which are clearly communicated through the formal employee performance management system. Observes workers' performance and demonstrates and conducts work performance critiques. Provides informal feedback and annual formal evaluations to employees. 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. Responsible for furthering the goals of equal employment opportunity (EEO) by taking positive steps to assure the accomplishment of diversity objectives and by adhering to non-discriminatory employment practices in regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, and disability. Specifically, initiates non-discriminatory practices for the area under his/her supervision in the following: (1) merit promotion of employees and recruitment and hiring of applicants; (2) fair treatment of all; (3) encouragement and recognition of employee achievements; (4) career development of employees; and (5) full utilization of their skills. 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. Coordinates the details involved in special projects of lasting importance. Utilizes 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 improvements in methods and procedures. May serve as COTR or administer service contracts. Makes significant recommendations to change, interpret, or develop important or innovative policies, programs, approaches, or analysis methods. Assesses the availability of financial and human resources, and independently plans, schedules, coordinates and carries out activities related to the library acquisitions program. Assists in preparing and overseeing the acquisitions budget. Ensures the comprehensiveness and accessibility of library collections. Makes extensive unreviewed technical judgments regarding library operations. Ensures that invoices and credits for library materials are received, entered, cleared, and approved in accordance with Library procedures and statutory requirements (i.e., the Prompt Payment Act). Ensures that vendor complaints and/or statements concerning non-payment are investigated and resolved promptly by appropriate personnel and offices; ensures compliance with audit requirements. Interprets and revises existing training policy and program guidance for use by others, including section, division, and/or directorate members. Independently plans, schedules, coordinates, and monitors the effectiveness of training operations. Performs various other duties as assigned. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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: oc.gov/static/portals/careers/documents/loc\_supervisor\_core\_competencies.pdf 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 or current 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 supervise, motivate and lead a diverse workforce.** Ability to analyze, plan, develop and execute library programs and projects.** Knowledge of the principles, concepts, and techniques of library science.** Ability to provide consultation or liaison duties. Knowledge of integrated library systems, library applications, and other information technologies. Ability to provide training. Ability to communicate in writing. Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing. Education All librarians must meet the requirements for professional education in library science or possess equivalent experience and education. A. Completion of 1 full academic year of graduate study in library science in an accredited college or university, in addition to completion of all work required for a bachelor's degree; or B. A total of at least 5 years of a combination of college-level education, training, and experience. To qualify on this basis, the applicant must establish conclusively that the education, training, and experience provided a knowledge and understanding of the theories, principles, and techniques of professional librarianship; a knowledge of literature resources; and the knowledge and abilities essential for providing effective library and information services. You must submit a legible copy of your college/university transcripts to your online application. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at the time of application. Official transcripts will be required if selected. Failure to submit the required legible documentation at the time of application will result in disqualification of your application. Foreign Education – Education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed equivalent to conventional/accredited U.S. education programs to be acceptable for Federal employment. If your college/university is outside the U.S., your transcripts must be accompanied by a report from a credential evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE). Failure to submit a foreign education evaluation report will result in disqualification of your application. 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 at step one 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. For more information, please see: oc.gov/careers/working-at-the-library/frequently-asked-questions/vetting-personnel-at-the-library/ 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.