This position serves as head of the Knowledge Services Group (KSG), a major CRS research division. In this capacity, and reporting directly to the Director of CRS, the Assistant Director leads, plans, directs and evaluates the delivery of information research and reference activities of the KSG, and ensures that it is of the highest quality and consistently meets the Service's standards of objectivity, nonpartisanship, timeliness, authoritativeness; and confidentiality.
The Assistant Director oversees implementation of general reference services and research support activities in CRS such as the management of institutional knowledge, instruction in the use of information tools, maintenance of authoritative research materials, and development of knowledge bases. This includes demonstrating personal intellectual leadership in monitoring congressional needs for information research across a broad spectrum of policy areas, and assures the availability of the intellectual capacity needed to meet the current and changing needs of the United States Congress at a sustained level of excellence.
The Assistant Director also serves as one of the chief advisors to the Director, counseling the Director on all aspects of the research management and operations of CRS and recommending specific policies and procedures for improving the Service’s overall quality, efficiency, and effectiveness. The Assistant Director serves as a member of the Director’s senior management team and serves as a principal CRS representative to Members, committees, and officers of the United States Congress.
Major duties of this position include:
Counsels the Director and Deputy Director on all aspects of the administration and operations of the Congressional Research Service. Has overall responsibility, as well as delegated authority, for the oversight and administration of broad, emerging, and/or critical agency programs or operations. Is responsible for the formulation and administration of policies affecting the Service beginning, at the highest level, with advice and counsel to the Director and Deputy Director in implementing a strategic vision and successfully meeting the CRS mission. Monitors immediate and longer term needs of CRS for information resource support in its policy making activities.
Oversees implementation of the research agenda, including approaches, frameworks, and methodologies for addressing policy and legislative issues within the KSG's areas of responsibility. Continually assesses the overall performance of information research delivery and information resource management practices and systems in meeting needs of the Congress and the priorities, goals and policies of CRS for meeting those needs.
Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with various high-level individuals, including Members of Congress and their staff, Library of Congress and CRS management, executive departments and agencies, professional organizations and universities.
Performs the human resource management functions relative to the staff supervised. Communicates work standards and expectations to supervisors and staff and holds them accountable to those standards.
See requirements listed below under Qualifications Required.
Conditions of Employment
Although the Library of Congress is not covered by the nationwide injunction against the federal government vaccine requirement, the Library of Congress has decided it will not enforce its vaccine requirement at this time. Therefore, to the extent a Library of Congress job announcement includes the requirement that applicants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, that requirement does not currently apply. The Library of Congress continues to require information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine. Library employees who are not vaccinated will be required to undergo testing for COVID-19 every seven days.
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: https://www.loc.gov/extranet/cld/development-programs/supervisor/supervisorcompetencies.html
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 Assistant Director leads division 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.
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:
Expert knowledge of librarianship and information science within public policy research frameworks.** Applies knowledge of the theories, concepts, processes, techniques, principles and/or practices of librarianship and information science to integrate information research with public policy analysis. This includes applying these approaches and frameworks, methodologies and techniques to the evaluation of complex issues. This also includes the willingness to acquire new skills and knowledge by staying current in information research methods and techniques.
Ability to lead and manage information and reference services in a public policy setting,** Leads and organizes information and reference services for the Service, including the ability to acquire and administer information resources and implement information research methodologies to accomplish an organization’s mission. This also includes developing innovative and creative ideas to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of research management and operations for the success of the Service.
Ability to lead people and manage a diverse workforce.** Manages and promotes a diverse and inclusive workforce that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts. Oversees the overall performance of the division by assessing staffing requirements in relation to current and anticipated needs of the Congress, developing staffing plans, justifications, and requests, and making work assignments for and evaluating staff in order to assure the availability of the intellectual capacity needed to meet the current and changing needs of Congress at a sustained level of excellence. Develops and oversees strategies for recruiting, hiring, mentoring, and training a diverse workforce as well as builds and maintains exceptional staff performance.
Ability to lead, develop, and execute knowledge management initiatives.** Leads the implementation of knowledge management initiatives for an organization ensuring that institutional knowledge is captured, managed, and preserved for potential re-use. This includes identifying knowledge gaps, capturing and managing knowledge assets, facilitating knowledge transfer, and making innovative use of tools and services for knowledge management.
Ability to exercise judgment and discretion.** Demonstrates awareness of the likely consequences or implications of one’s own actions and work within the context of agency/ organizational/ departmental standards. Acts appropriately in a given situation (e.g., with colleagues, clients, media/press), using discretion, and being committed to confidentiality.
Ability to think strategically and lead change. Establishes and implements a strategic vision and direction for an organization or group and leads and effects change. This includes evaluating interdependencies and interrelationships among functions and resources and outcomes; developing performance targets; and identifying strategic opportunities. This also includes championing ideas that promote the mission with enthusiasm, conviction, and assertiveness; gaining support and commitment from others; and motivating and inspiring others.
Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing. Effectively expresses 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 includes actively listening to or understanding communicated information and answering questions thoughtfully and completely.
Continue with the application process only if you are able to document on your resume that you meetall the critical competency requirements at the levels described below.
Expert knowledge of librarianship and information science within public policy research frameworks: I have knowledge of the theories, concepts, processes, techniques, principles, and/or practices of librarianship and information science to integrate information research with public policy analysis.
Ability to lead and manage information and reference services in a public policy setting: I have led and managed information research across a broad range of public policy issue areas (e.g., environment, law, government operations, international relations, income security) for a library or research organization.
Ability to lead people and manage a diverse workforce: I have led and managed the performance of a diverse and inclusive workforce.
Ability to lead, develop, and execute knowledge management initiatives: I routinely led and/or managed knowledge management initiatives, including recommending the use of tools and services.
Ability to exercise judgment and discretion: In execution of work duties, I was routinely relied upon to exercise judgment and discretion.
Additional information
The selected applicant will be required to file a financial disclosure statement with the House of Representatives, United States Congress, in accordance with the provisions of Public Law 95-521, the Ethics in Government Act of 1978.
The salary range indicated reflects the basic pay adjustment of the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area.
Number of vacancies: One.
This is a permanent, supervisory, non-bargaining unit position.
The tour of duty for this position is full-time.
The position description number for this position is 138080.
The Library reserves the right to fill a lesser or greater number of vacancies indicated during the life of this vacancy announcement.
Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation.
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 Library of Congress Regulation (LCR) 9-1610, Senior Level Executive System.
This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify this agency. The decision on granting reasonable accommodations will be made 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. 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.
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, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form. For more information regarding eligibility requirements, please see the Library's Merit Selection Plan, Section X.D. IF REQUIRED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION IS NOT ATTACHED, VETERANS' PREFERENCE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED IN THE APPLICATION PROCESS.
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.
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.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) are not required for the Library's hiring process.
The Library of Congress will evaluate applicants using applicants' resumes and a structured interview process.
All applicants are required to submit a resume that provides specific information (to include accomplishments, work experience and education/training) that clearly describes what they would bring to the position and documents that they meet the critical competency requirements listed above. Resumes will be reviewed to determine whether candidates possess the critical competencies marked with a double asterisk (**), as referenced above.
Interviews are designed to verify or explore applicants' experience, knowledge, and training directly related to the job as documented in the resume in order to identify the best qualified applicants for selection.
Applicants do not need to respond to specific competency questions for this vacancy announcement but will be requested to answer one question related to how they became aware of this job opportunity.
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.
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.
Current or former federal employees will be required to submit their most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent) with their online application or prior to a full interview.
Disabled applicants claiming Selective Placement eligibility must submit the appropriate supporting documentation described in the Additional Information section above. If this required documentation is not attached, your application will not be considered under the Selective Placement Program.
Veterans claiming Veterans' Preference eligibility must submit the appropriate supporting documentation described in the Additional Information section above. If this required documentation is not attached, Veterans' Preference will not be applied to your application.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Please carefully follow all instructions under the How to Apply tab to ensure that you are considered for the position.
Step 1: If you do not already have one, create a resume on USAJOBS. Although you must enter your Social Security Number for USAJOBS, this information will not be provided to the Library of Congress.
Step 2: Review the Job Announcement. We recommend you go to the Qualifications and Evaluations section of the job announcement to review the qualifications listed to ensure that your resume reflects your accomplishments in those areas.
Step 3: Click on the "APPLY ONLINE" button to the right of this announcement. Follow USAJOBS' instructions to access your account and submit your resume. You will be redirected to the Hiring Management website to complete the application process. If this is your first time in Hiring Management, you will be asked to answer questions related to your eligibility for Federal employment. You will be able to update this information and save it to our account for future announcements.
Step 4: Click on "Finish" after you have completed your application. Once you have submitted your application, you can check your status online through your Hiring Management or MY USAJOBS account. If you are experiencing any technical difficulty with the online process, you MUST CONTACT THE POINT OF CONTACT FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE. For all technical issues please contact jobhelp@loc.gov , no later than 4:30pm EST of the Closing Date.
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
101 Independence Ave. SE
LM-107
Washington, District of Columbia 20540
United States
Next steps
Please review our evaluation process under Qualifications and Evaluations. You may check the status of your application for this position at any time by logging onto the USAJOBS "My USAJOBS" tab and clicking on "My Applications." You will receive final notification via e-mail when the vacancy has been filled.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Current or former federal employees will be required to submit their most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent) with their online application or prior to a full interview.
Disabled applicants claiming Selective Placement eligibility must submit the appropriate supporting documentation described in the Additional Information section above. If this required documentation is not attached, your application will not be considered under the Selective Placement Program.
Veterans claiming Veterans' Preference eligibility must submit the appropriate supporting documentation described in the Additional Information section above. If this required documentation is not attached, Veterans' Preference will not be applied to your application.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Please carefully follow all instructions under the How to Apply tab to ensure that you are considered for the position.
Step 1: If you do not already have one, create a resume on USAJOBS. Although you must enter your Social Security Number for USAJOBS, this information will not be provided to the Library of Congress.
Step 2: Review the Job Announcement. We recommend you go to the Qualifications and Evaluations section of the job announcement to review the qualifications listed to ensure that your resume reflects your accomplishments in those areas.
Step 3: Click on the "APPLY ONLINE" button to the right of this announcement. Follow USAJOBS' instructions to access your account and submit your resume. You will be redirected to the Hiring Management website to complete the application process. If this is your first time in Hiring Management, you will be asked to answer questions related to your eligibility for Federal employment. You will be able to update this information and save it to our account for future announcements.
Step 4: Click on "Finish" after you have completed your application. Once you have submitted your application, you can check your status online through your Hiring Management or MY USAJOBS account. If you are experiencing any technical difficulty with the online process, you MUST CONTACT THE POINT OF CONTACT FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE. For all technical issues please contact jobhelp@loc.gov , no later than 4:30pm EST of the Closing Date.
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
101 Independence Ave. SE
LM-107
Washington, District of Columbia 20540
United States
Next steps
Please review our evaluation process under Qualifications and Evaluations. You may check the status of your application for this position at any time by logging onto the USAJOBS "My USAJOBS" tab and clicking on "My Applications." You will receive final notification via e-mail when the vacancy has been filled.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
