Supervisory Librarian, Head, Access Services Section

Summary The position serves as the Head, Access Services Section, Researcher Engagement and General Collections Division, General and International Collections Directorate, Researcher Collections and Services Service Unit, within the Library Collections and Service Group. The position description number for this position is 467353 The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area. This is a supervisory, non-bargaining unit position. Learn more about this agency Duties The position reports directly to the Assistant Chief, Researcher Engagement and General Collections Division (REGC). RECG serves as the Library’s primary gateway to its general collections, providing expert reference, reader registration, and access services through the Main Reading Room, the Science and Business Reading Room, and the Ask-a-Librarian platform. It provides inclusive, innovative services that support a wide range of research across disciplines while expanding public access to and interaction with the Library’s resources. The Head, Access Services is responsible for management of collections access and loan units, provision of public services to patrons, support of collections-related programs, and serving as a technical expert on circulation and interlibrary loan systems. Supervises a group of employees performing work up to the GS-13 level. Provides administrative and technical supervision relative to the staff supervised. Plans work to be accomplished by subordinates, sets and adjusts short-term priorities, and prepares schedules for completion of work; Assigns work to subordinates based on priorities, selective consideration of the difficulty and requirements of assignments, and the capabilities of employees; Observes workers’ performance; demonstrates and conducts work performance critiques. Establishes guidelines and performance expectations for staff and clearly communicates these through the formal employee performance management system. Provides informal feedback and periodically 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. Effects minor disciplinary measures, such as warnings and reprimands, recommending other action in more serious cases. 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 and safeguard sensitive and personally identifiable information (PII) of employees. Furthers the objectives of diversity and inclusiveness by taking positive steps to assure the accomplishment of diversity and inclusiveness and by adhering to nondiscriminatory employment practices regarding political, religious, or labor organization affiliation or non-affiliation, marital status, race, color, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, non-disqualifying disability, age, or other non-merit factor. Plans, establishes and directs a library reference program. Serves as expert in managing general reference and research methodology to effectively and efficiently provide information services to a diverse and demanding clientele. Analyzes major issues in information access and dissemination, and develops authoritative new approaches, methods or standards to resolve critical or highly unusual reference information problems. Uses broad knowledge of multiple information sources and/or experts outside the agency, both domestic and international, to resolve reference issues. Keeps abreast of new developments in reference and in scholarly methods, techniques, resources, and concerns. Serves as a principal liaison for the organization at professional conferences, seminars, and exhibits. Initiates, establishes, and maintains professional relationships with scholars and academicians, librarians and other information specialists to share resources and information. Represent the Division in security planning that affects Division reading rooms. Provides consultative services with respect to use of informational services and products. Serves as the principal contact and automation leader for the agency-wide system, ILLiad/OCLC WorldShare, as well as plans and manages multifaceted projects related to modernization of the systems, working closely with senior staff in other service units such as OCIO. Within the Library, chairs and/or serves on various committees and task forces dealing with new technologies and policy development affecting public service. Serves on committees and other groups involved in investigating new technologies and their possible application to library programs. Performs other duties as assigned. Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement. Requirements 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. Knowledge of the principles, concepts, and techniques of library science.**  Ability to lead, plan, coordinate and manage programs and projects.** Ability to supervise, develop, and lead a cultural heritage workforce.** Ability to provide consultation or liaison duties. Ability to provide reference and research services. Ability to communicate effectively in writing. Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing. Education BASIC REQUIREMENTS: All librarians must meet the requirements for professional education in library science or possess equivalent experience and 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 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 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 [email protected]. 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 Equal Employment Opportunity at 202-707-6024 or email [email protected]. 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. 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. Expand Hide  additional information 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 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. Review our 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.