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Program Specialist

Legislative Branch
Library of Congress
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in the Acquisitions, Fiscal & Overseas Support Division in the Acquisitions and Bibliographic Access Directorate within Library Services The incumbent coordinates and facilitates activities relating to Library Services' program and technology goals through implementation of projects, manual and automated systems and OCIO-approved technical solutions.

The position description number for this position is 402772.

This is a non-supervisory, non-bargaining unit position. 

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
07/27/2021 to 08/10/2021
Salary
$103,690 to - $134,798 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
Washington, DC
1 vacancy
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent - Position
Work schedule
Full-time - Flexitime, Compflex, Maxiflex.
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
14
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Announcement number
VAR001634
Control number
608936800

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Anyone may apply - By law, employment at most U.S. Government agencies, including the Library of Congress, is limited to U.S. citizens. However, non-citizens may be hired, provided that other legal requirements are met and the Library determines there are no qualified U.S. citizens available for the position.

Duties

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Applies knowledge of relevant library system infrastructure best practices, statistical data, trends, and institutional policies to provide expert analysis and advice and propose recommendations to resolve complex automation issues.

Oversees or coordinates the preparation of testing and implementation plans. Prepares business requirements and specifications for implementation by OCIO-approved developers or contractors. Develops test plans and scripts, and oversees testing by others.

Provides guidance on security best practices and uses knowledge and familiarity of OCIO security authorization and accreditation process as applicable to IT systems and projects.

Coordinates the common use of core software across multiple business areas and establishes troubleshooting procedures for related applications. Prepares strategies for recovery in the event of systems failure. Develops recovery methodology for the systems in coordination with the overall
agency or department disaster recovery plan.

Develops systems modifications to aid in recovery, which includes determining the cause of failure, and documenting methods for preventing future problems. Performs feasibility studies including original research in order to identify solutions that meet customer requirements. Evaluates the feasibility of new methodologies in terms of meeting agency requirements and recommends the adoption of the most promising new methodologies. Suggests technically feasible approaches and demonstrates viability through working prototypes. Recommends automation approaches that lead to improvements in Library of Congress systems design and development process and the delivery of high quality information systems that support achievement of core agency mission requirements.

Plans, develops, and implements the coordination of automation activities that affect broad mission areas. Activities include interacting with stakeholders and other groups; assessing capabilities and identifying various organizations to serve as change-agents; and ensuring appropriate program/project documentation is professionally executed.

Advises management on a variety of technical information program/project issues. Provides programmatic coordination on high visibility projects, consulting with professionals in various sectors. Advises senior management on key issues/constraints to program/project implementations.

Directs and/or participates in review of proposed technical information projects and programs, policy, and technical input. Uses judgment and discretion in determining intent, and in interpreting and revising existing policy and regulatory guidance for use by others within or outside the organization. Assists management in carrying out analyses, feasibility studies, and project design proposals through preparation of terms of reference and making study teams available. Reviews program/project proposals for economic, financial, and technical soundness; recommends or takes appropriate actions. May serve as a COR on technology related projects or procurements.

Serves as a liaison with OCIO on agile project management as a subject matter expert or product owner on automation programs/projects within ABA.

Provides expert guidance in the resolution of complex system and database problems or issues impacting Library of Congress programs. Participates in the analysis of service unit and agency-wide projects and programs.

Provides automation support to users throughout the Service Unit and divisions engaged in the development and implementation of the systems and subsystems required to meet the data processing needs of the Library of Congress. Works with end users to establish and enforce database standards,
procedures, and guidelines.

Participates in the planning of future database expansion, enhancements, and selections. Analyzes, reviews, and recommends upgrades for existing databases. Plans for the total database environment, including database management systems, data dictionaries, security systems, communication software, and end user software.

Provides expert analysis and advice and works with OCIO to develop solutions to solve issues and problems associated with service unit automation programs and systems. Develops criteria to evaluate the effectiveness of automation programs and systems.

Serves as a recognized technical authority for new or enhanced business systems. Exercises considerable judgment and ingenuity in advocating the benefits of implementing business-driven quality and process improvements. Participates in the development of operational plans. Assists in planning, directing and coordinating the implementation and execution of approved policies, programs, and services related to information and business systems. Reviews and evaluates operations to appraise the effectiveness of policies and programs. Identifies deficiencies and takes/recommends appropriate
action.

Requirements

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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 manage and plan projects.**

Knowledge of database management, analysis and automation support.**

Ability to analyze technology problems/issues and make recommendations.**

Ability to serve as a liaison for an organization and interact collaboratively.

Ability to communicate in writing.

Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.

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.

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. 

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.

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.
 

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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