Head, Acquisitions and Outreach Section

Summary This position is located in the Acquisitions and Outreach Section, Manuscript Division, Special Collections Directorate, Researcher and Collections Services. The position description number is 412293. The salary range reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metro area. The incumbent will work a flextime work schedule. This is a supervisory, non-bargaining unit position. Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person selected under this vacancy. Learn more about this agency Duties The selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret Security Clearance. Occasional Saturday work in the Manuscript Reading Room is required. In addition, occasional evening displays or other special congressional events may require the incumbent’s attendance or participation. Plans and directs the work of the Acquisitions and Outreach Section. Serves on the division's administrative team, ensuring coordination between the Acquisitions and Outreach Section and other units. Works closely with the Chief on administration and establishment of long-range goals and objectives for the division. Recommends actions affecting budgets, staff, and space. Participates in the development of grant proposals to foundations and individuals, and engages in personal contacts with potential Library donors.Makes both long-range plans and develops specific strategies for acquisitions, collection management, digitization, exhibitions, public programming and outreach. In so doing, identifies and integrates technical, financial and administrative factors of external program issues that have an immediate bearing on the division’s work (e.g., Library-wide Annual Performance Goals relating to arrearage reduction and digitization); adjusts immediate and long-range goals, objectives, and schedules to meet changes in resources; determines project or program segments to be initiated, dropped, or curtailed; determines resources to devote to each of the various concurrent projects; and participates in developing technical proposals for outside funding. Supervises a group of employees performing work up to the GS-14 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, and 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. Coordinates, supervises, and participates in efforts of acquiring collections through gift, deposit, transfer, exchange, and purchase. Plans for collection management and development to build and maintain comprehensive collections in the fields of American history and culture. Coordinates activities related to collection development across all functional areas of the Library as related to the Manuscript Division’s collections. Serves as an authority in one or more major subject areas of American history or archival administration. Identifies new sources of personal papers, organizational records, and other manuscript and archival materials. Establishes priorities for acquisition that complement existing collections or fill gaps in existing holdings.  Analyzes acquired personal papers, organizational records, historical documents, and other manuscript and archival materials to appraise the evidential or informational values of the collections and develop recommendations for their archival organization, conservation, and custodial requirements. Works with the chief, specialists, and Preparation Section managers to assure that out-of-scope acquisitions are rejected or transferred to other appropriate units. Recommends the disposition of unneeded collection materials. Plans, establishes, and directs research, reference, and outreach work of specialists in the section under the incumbent’s supervision. Coordinates staff efforts related to exhibitions, publications, symposia, and reference services.  Collaborates with other libraries in developing and providing access to library resources through the Internet and other means. Participates in the implementation and evaluation of services, policies, procedures, and publications.Independently plans and carries out studies of broad and varied topics or areas. Conducts research and analysis on historical and archival topics in field of expertise. Communicates findings or information verbally and in writing to management. Exercises a highly specialized knowledge of the subject matter and archival holdings in order to assist researchers and to carry out exhibitions and special studies. Serves as an official spokesperson for the division and for the Library on matters relating to manuscript acquisitions and archival administration.  Initiates, establishes, and maintains professional relationships with archivists, librarians, scholars, and other specialists in order share resources and information as well as to coordinate workflow within the Library. Supervises the division’s specialists regarding the appraisal, accessioning, and disposition of collection materials. Requirements Conditions of employment 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 manuscript collections.** Knowledge of the principles and techniques of library or archival collections development.** Ability to lead and supervise a workforce.** Ability to communicate in writing. Ability to provide consultation or liaison duties. Ability to coordinate projects and set priorities. 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 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.