Clarification from the agency

This position is open to the public. MORE THAN ONE SELECTION MAY BE MADE.

The Supervisory Librarian provides onsite strategic planning, collection development, reference management, staff management for the Earl S. Tupper Tropical Sciences Library (STRI Library).

In this position, you will:

• Direct the continuing development of a coordinated program of innovative library and archival service to the STRI research and administrative communities.
  
  
• Develop local hire position descriptions; establishes performance requirements and evaluates performance; performs training and ensures quality control, initiates or recommends personnel actions; recruits and makes recommendations for hiring staff; takes disciplinary action as required; and identifies training needs and plans as required under Panamanian Labor laws.
  
  
• Coordinates collection projects with SLA Collections and becomes familiar with other collections that complement the library's holdings and takes their strengths and weaknesses into consideration when refining and developing the STRI collection.
  
  
• Provide overall direction, strategic vision, and leadership for the STRI library and archives in the areas of research services, collection development and access, resource sharing, interlibrary loan, local cataloging practices, and administrative support.
  
  
• Serves as an expert resource in reference and information research in tropical research, work with researchers in advanced fields of knowledge using a wide range of databases and other information resources.

Conditions of employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Investigation
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer
• May be required to serve an 18-month probationary period for supervisors.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service

Conditions of Employment

COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS:

For the latest information on the COVID-19 vaccination requirements and its impact on your application, click on Smithsonian Institution’s Frequently Asked Questions. 

Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

Qualifications

Basic Educational Requirements for the 1410 Series:

Or Education: 

1. 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

2. 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.

NOTE: If you are using education and/or training to qualify for the basic education requirements you must submit a copy of your transcripts and/or training document with your application.

In addition to meeting the basic entry qualification requirements, applicants must meet the specialized experience and Selective Placement Factor required below.

Experience: You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the grade GS-12 level in the Federal Service.  For this position, specialized experience is defined as training and supervising of library staff; providing reference assistance and archival management of a science research library; providing outreach activities that promote access to library and archival collections, including orientations, tours, and providing information in an international environment.

Selective Placement Factor: Applicant must have the ability to speak and write in both English and Spanish.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be considered to determine the total number of years and months of experience. Be sure to note the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your experience, education, and training will be rated using a job questionnaire based on the competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the duties of this position.

If you are among the best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview.

Your application will be evaluated first for the basic qualifications described above. The applications that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria:

1. Mastery of skill in one or more major library and archives functions in order to solve highly complex problems within the function, or problems that involve relationships among functions.
2. Ability to supervise a diverse staff of local hires in both Spanish and English, and adhere to Panamanian Labor Laws, consulting with STRI Human Resources as required.
3. Ability to make significant recommendations to change, interpret, or develop important or innovative information policies, programs, approaches, or analysis methods.
4. Expert knowledge of the structure and content of the Spanish language, in order to speak, write, read, listen and otherwise conduct all matters of business in a professional bilingual work environment (Spanish/English).
5. Mastery of skill in one or more major library and archives functions (e.g., collection development, reference, serials management, cataloging, library automation, archival digitization, preservation, or metadata documentation, etc.) in order to solve highly complex problems within the function, or problems that involve relationships among functions.