Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from all U.S. Citizens. Please see detailed guidance regarding employment eligibility under "Requirements." This position is designated as emergency essential. The incumbent serves at the pleasure of the Architect. This position is eligible for direct hire.

The Chief Executive Officer for Visitor Services (CEO) is responsible for the overall operation and management of the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) including policy formulation, safety procedures and strategic planning. The CVC houses exhibits, a restaurant, two orientation theaters, a large auditorium, two on-site gift shops and an online gift shop. The CEO leads the CVC operations team by ensuring memorable visitor experiences by delivering high quality service standards, meeting seasonal requirements and promoting maximum visitors in a safe and secure environment. This includes leading visitor services, ceremonial programming, special events, a restaurant, educational exhibits, gift shops, technology, administration and communications. In such capacity, the CEO performs duties such as the following:

• Champions the CVC’s vision, mission, goals and objectives and oversees budget, procurement and financial management.
• Provides leadership and supervision to a diverse staff responsible for a variety of CVC functional areas such as visitor services operations, exhibits and education, marketing and communications, audio/visual, and retail and gift shops, planning, information technology and administration.
• Leads by example; looks for innovative opportunities; ensures commitment to customer expectations; establishes consistent standards, expectations, and policies; and demonstrates genuine concern for and interest in the professional development of CVC employees.
• Integrates diverse modes of information delivery (e.g., media presentations, visitor presentations, classes, conferences, tours, demonstrations, exhibits, information technology, informal learning and publications) so audiences understand Congress’ role, processes and history to promote civic engagement.
• Establishes an organizational vision and implements it in a continuously changing environment.
• Leads the oversight and administration of programs and operations in the CVC. 
• Cultivates mutually beneficial partnerships with schools, government agencies, Capitol Hill institutions, non-governmental organizations and other entities.
• Exchanges concepts, operating plans and ideas with visitor centers, museums and outside organizations regarding visitor services and flow, public outreach, collections management and program development.
• Oversees contracts related to the operations of the CVC, to include restaurants, catering special events and other relevant activities.
• Coordinates with the Superintendent, Capitol Building for the operation, maintenance and renovation of the CVC facilities including cooperative agreements.  
• Oversees the development of curricula for the education programs offered through the CVC and the CVC exhibits collection management.
• Ensures all CVC activities such as tours, public classes, special events and functions and use of meeting rooms are efficient and effective.
• Maintains a positive relationship with local and national visitor center tour operators, information providers and service providers.
• Oversees CVC communications to include but not limited to brochures, congressional communications and media announcements in accordance with AOC policy guidance and standards.
• Develops, conceives, plans and implements policies and guidelines affecting CVC programs.
• Determines the allocation and utilization of resources required to accomplish CVC program objectives within the parameters established by legislation and agency policy.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with various high-level stakeholders such as congressional offices, federal government agencies, governments of other countries, AOC office and jurisdictions.
• Represents the Architect and the Agency at all levels of government, including Federal, state, municipal, and county agencies as well as private industry and citizen groups. Appears before congressional oversight committees as the CVC spokesperson, as required.

Candidates must have proven experience in managing operations that service a high volume of visitors and delivering services such as guided tours, restaurants, catering/events, retail centers and theaters. Required experience also includes managing a museum-like environment with emphasis on exhibit coordination and educational programming. Experience with marketing, media and public relations in conjunction with superior inter-personal communications skills are a must. Experience with Congressional relations is desirable.

Conditions of employment

To be employed by the Architect of the Capitol in a paid position, an individual must meet one of the categories below:

• A citizen of the United States;
• A person who is lawfully admitted for permanent residence and is seeking citizenship as outlined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)(B);
• A person who is admitted as a refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157 or is granted asylum under 8 U.S.C. 1158 and has filed a declaration of intention to become a lawful permanent resident and then a citizen when eligible;
• A person who owes allegiance to the United States (nationals of American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Northern Mariana Islands, and nationals who meet other requirements described in 8 U.S.C. 1408); or
• A person who is currently an officer or employee of the Government of the United States.

Key Requirements:

1. Successful completion of a background investigation commensurate with the risk and sensitivity level of the position
2. You must be able to pass a drug screening
3. Filing of a Financial Disclosure Report
4. You must provide narratives to the ECQs and PTQs
5. Meets qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement

Qualifications

You must meet the United States Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) qualification requirements for the advertised position. You must meet all eligibility and qualifications requirements by the closing date of the job announcement. For the Executive Core Qualifications and Technical Qualifications, you are required to submit a narrative response addressing your specific knowledge, skills, and abilities that demonstrate your possession of the qualifications. For more information about the Executive Core Qualifications, please visit this site: http://www.opm.gov/ses/references/GuidetoSESQuals_2010.pdf

Applicants must clearly show possession and demonstrated leadership experience, normally obtained over several years by serving in positions at the GS-15 level or equivalent for each Executive Core Qualification (ECQ) and Professional Technical Qualification (PTQ). Failure to address and meet any of the ECQs and PTQs via the vacancy questionnaire, will eliminate you from further consideration. Review the ECQ competencies guidance and sample resumes in OPM’s Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualification.

Applicants currently serving in a Senior- Rated (SR) appointment (other than a temporary promotion), career Senior Executive Service (SES) appointment or have successfully completed a SES Candidate Development Program and have been certified by the Office of Personnel Management do not need to address the ECQs and must address each PTQ.

Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs):

ECQ 1 – Leading Change: The ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment.

ECQ 2 – Leading People: The ability to lead people toward meeting the organization’s vision, mission and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.

ECQ 3 – Results Driven: The ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems and calculating risks.

ECQ 4 – Business Acumen: The ability to manage human, financial and information resources strategically.

ECQ 5 – Building Coalitions: The ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments or international organizations to achieve common goals.

Professional Technical Qualifications (PTQs):

Proven experience leading a large operation team responsible for delivering world class, effective and memorable visitor experiences in a safe and secure environment. This includes the administration and management of a comparable venue with a high-volume visitor services operation, special events, restaurant service, educational program exhibits and gift shops.

Proven executive level experience in a Legislative branch agency serving in a Congressional staff position having substantial managerial, operational and policy responsibilities and experience; or serving in an Executive Branch agency with substantial experience in government relations or as a Congressional liaison; and/or serving in the private sector position with experience in government relations interfacing with Congress. 

How you will be evaluated

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

Review your resume and responses carefully. Your eligibility for consideration and qualifications for the position will be determined based upon a review of your detailed resume and your narrative responses.  

Your resume will be evaluated to determine if you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) required for this position or possession of any technical expertise, and how well your background and experience relates to the self-assessment questions in the job announcement.  All applicants must submit online written statements describing accomplishments that would satisfy the ECQs. You must address each ECQ separately and are required to respond to all ECQs. All applicants must address the PTQs. 

The AOC Human Capital Management Division (HCMD) reviews each application package for eligibility and demonstration of executive experience for each ECQ and PTQ via accomplishments and experiences provided in the resume and questionnaire, and that you submitted all required documentation. An executive panel may review application packages, select candidates for interviews, and refer the best qualified to the selecting official for further consideration. The Architect of the Capitol provides final approval.

Falsifying your background, education or experience is cause for non-selection or disqualification from further consideration. A complete application is required for consideration; please review the Required Documents section.

Please note that a complete application is required for consideration. (Please review the “Required Documents” section of this job announcement to see what must be included in a complete application).