Summary
The Congressional Research Service (CRS) seeks a Supervisory Librarian for its Knowledge Services Group (KSG). The selectee will serve as the section head of the Reference and Instruction Services section, responsible for providing reference, legal research, document delivery, and instruction services to internal and congressional clients.
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Duties
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The ideal candidate will have experience managing reference and legal research services in a fast-paced environment; knowledge of reference and legal research sources, in particular those related to legislative, legal, and public policy analysis; and knowledge of information research methodologies. A critical responsibility is the review of responses and reports produced by the section to ensure that they meet the high standards expected of CRS products and services. The section head works collaboratively with staff across CRS as well as other parts of the Library of Congress on information requests/projects and to resolve issues.
Supervises a group of employees performing work up to the GS-13 level. Plans and assigns work, sets and adjusts priorities, and prepares schedules for completion of work. Establishes guidelines and performance expectations for staff, provides feedback and evaluates employee performance. Resolves informal complaints and grievances. Recommends appointment, promotion, or reassignment and develops work improvement plans, recommending personnel actions as necessary. Provides advice and counsel to workers related to work and administrative matters. Reviews and approves or disapproves leave requests and certifies time and attendance records for staff. Assures that subordinates are trained and fully comply with safety regulations.
Oversees, conducts and reviews research on highly complex reference and legal research questions, providing authoritative and definitive results. Oversees the staffing of the CRS reading rooms, and the provision of document delivery and instruction services to CRS research divisions and congressional clients. Keeps up to date on current legislative issues. Plans and reviews the section's products and services, ensuring that they meet professional standards and policy guidelines and are responsive to the needs of clients. Develops, organizes, and schedules training for individuals and groups at various levels of sophistication, on a wide variety of research tools and research methodologies. Organizes, conducts, or participates in customized group and individual training and troubleshooting for partners and clients. Promotes existing and new information services, databases, and other research tools to CRS staff and congressional clients.
Serves as a principal liaison for collaboration between KSG groups, other CRS divisions and offices, and other Library of Congress units and offices. Consults with information professionals throughout CRS and the Library of Congress on instruction, research, reference and document delivery requests as well as the management of the CRS reference collection.
CRS works exclusively for the United States Congress, providing policy and legal analysis to committees and Members of both the House and Senate, regardless of party affiliation. As a legislative branch agency within the Library of Congress, CRS has been a valued and respected resource on Capitol Hill for more than a century.
CRS is well known for analysis that is authoritative, confidential, objective, and nonpartisan. Its highest priority is to ensure that Congress has immediate access to the nation's best thinking on public policy issues of interest to its Members and Committees.
Requirements
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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: Supervisor Core Competencies
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 develop, implement, manage, and evaluate reference and research services to meet client needs**
Ability to lead and manage staff**
Ability to communicate in writing and review the writing of others**
Ability to manage instruction services to meet client needs
Ability to interact collaboratively with others
Ability to convey information and effectively communicate other than in writing
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
The Congressional Research Service, within the Library of Congress, is part of the Legislative Branch of the federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service.
The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustment for the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
This is a supervisory, non-bargaining unit position.
The position description number for this position is 376875.
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.
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: https://www.loc.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 permanent appointments to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period. In addition, per Library of Congress Regulation 9-532, an appointee or internal selectee is subject to a one-year supervisory probationary period if this is their first supervisory/managerial position at the Library of Congress. Probationary periods served at other Federal agencies do not count toward this requirement.
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.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
