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This position is located in the Congressional Relations Office, Chief of Staff, Office of the Librarian.
The position description number for this position is 391726.
This position has no promotion potential.
This is a supervisory, non-bargaining unit position.
Learn more about this agency12/16/2019 to 01/17/2020
$127,914 - $192,300 per year
SL 00
1 vacancy in the following location:
No
No
Permanent - Position
Full-time - Flexitime.
Excepted
00
Yes
No
VAR001107
554416800
Anyone may apply - By law, employment at most U.S. Government agencies, including the Library of Congress, is limited to U.S. citizens. However, non-citizens may be hired, provided that other legal requirements are met and the Library determines there are no qualified U.S. citizens available for the position.
The Director, Congressional Relations Office, reports to the Chief of Staff of the Library of Congress, and in conjunction with the Librarian serves as a principal Library liaison with the Congress of the United States. He/she is responsible for identifying and assessing the Library's services to Congress, with the exception of those provided by the Congressional Research Service, and for recommending ways to improve and expand those services as needed. The Director works closely and collaboratively with the Chief Financial Officer and Budget Officer who have primary responsibility for Library budget and appropriation interactions with appropriations committee staff and Members of Congress. He/she is responsible for working collaboratively with top Library management to develop and implement effective strategies for securing congressional support for legislation related to the Library. The Director is responsible for heightening the visibility of the Library, its programs and services with Members of Congress, their staffs and their constituencies. Assignments include meeting immediate and critical demands as well as long-range objectives of the Library vis-a-vis the Congress. The Director participates in the management of the Library as a member of the Chief of Staff’s management meetings and as an ex-officio member of the Library’s Executive Committee.
Leads and coordinates a comprehensive congressional relations program on behalf of the Library excluding the Congressional Research Service. Establishes and maintains effective, collaborative working relationships with all service units but in particular with the Library's Chief Financial Officer and Budget Officer who have primary responsibility for the Library's budget and appropriations activities in support of the Library’s legislative and funding priorities
Proactively works to establish and maintain frequent contact between the Librarian and Members of Congress, including scheduling appointments in Washington and arranging trips to Member districts and states for programming with Members at local libraries.
Directs comprehensive outreach to Members of Congress and their staffs about the Library's broad range of programming and services to the Congress, and keeps them apprised of new Library products and initiatives. Encourages congressional use of the Library as its first choice for authoritative information and research assistance.
Regularly provides advice and strategic guidance on a variety of legislative and political concerns to the Librarian, the Chief of Staff and other members of the Executive Committee. Works closely with the Librarian, the Chief of Staff and members of the Executive Committee to determine Library positions and strategy and to develop customized communications plans for Congress.
Accompanies the Librarian and senior Library officials to hearings or to meetings with Members of Congress or key staff members; prepares talking points and briefing documents as appropriate.
Directs activities relating to Library participation in Congressional oversight hearings, including planning, writing and reviewing Library testimony, preparing hearing witness(es) and meeting committee hearing deadlines. Provides after-hearing support to committees including responding to QFRs and editing hearing transcripts. Supports the Chief Financial Officer and Budget Chief preparation of CBJ narrative content, and assists with Librarian preparation for annual budget hearings.
Coordinates Library appearances and discussions for specially requested meetings by Members and committee staff. Works with requestor on the purpose of the meeting, agenda, and Library subject matter participants. Identifies and reviews briefing documents and schedules pre-briefs with participants as needed.
Overseas production of periodic reports for Library senior managers containing information about new bill introductions, Library hearings and status of the Library’s funding bills, and Library resource guides distributed by the Congressional Relations Office to all Members and committees at the start of a new Congress.
Has overall responsibility, as well as delegated authority, for the oversight and administration of all programs, other than those provided by the Congressional Research Service, designed to support Members of Congress and their constituencies.
Your resume is important to this application process. It will be reviewed to determine whether you possess the qualifications referenced above. All applicants are required to submit a resume that provides specific information (to include accomplishments, work experience and education/training) that clearly describes what you would bring to the position.
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: 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:
Knowledge of the U.S. Congress and its legislative processes**: The successful candidate has knowledge of Congress and legislative issues, including an understanding of the legislative and oversight roles of Congress and a basic understanding of congressional committee and subcommittee structure, as well as knowledge of the institutional and political environment in which congressional decision making occurs.
Ability to serve as a liaison, build coalitions and interact collaboratively with others**: The successful candidate has the ability to represent, present, negotiate, defend, explain, advocate and express facts and ideas in a convincing manner in order to negotiate with individuals and groups in a manner that influences them to support a program and achieve results; developing and maintaining coalitions with other organizations. This includes the ability to lead and effect change in carrying out the organizational mission that integrates key goals, priorities, values, etc.; championing ideas that promote the mission with enthusiasm, conviction, and assertiveness; gaining support and commitment from others; motivating and inspiring others to improve work efficiencies, productivity, and customer service.
Ability to lead people and manage a workforce: The successful candidate has the ability to oversee the overall performance of the Office by assessing staffing requirements in relation to current and anticipated needs of the Congress; developing staffing plans, justifications, and requests; and making policy area assignments for 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. This includes the development and oversight of recruiting, hiring, mentoring, and training a diverse workforce as well as building and maintaining exceptional staff performance.
Ability to lead and manage a program/area of responsibility: The successful candidate has the ability to acquire and administer human, financial, material, and information resources to accomplish an organization’s mission. This includes the ability to accomplish strategic and operational goals by ensuring the effective interaction and integration of processes; delegating and managing multiple tasks; and planning and organizing resources, people, and activities effectively and efficiently. This includes the ability to take ownership of the organization’s work and results and to determine the most effective methods necessary to get things done.
Ability to communicate in writing and review the writing of others: The successful candidate has the ability to write a variety of clear, cogent, accurate, and well-organized written products. Reviewed these products to ensure they achieved their objective, complied with an agency's or organization's communications policies, were logically constructed, and were written in concise, unambiguous language. These documents include: 1) Congressional testimony or legislative equivalent, 2) responses to Congressional inquiries, 3) notifications to Congress, 4) briefing papers, 5) talking points, 6) official correspondence, 7) memoranda, 8) reports, 9) press releases, 10) blogs, 11) policies and procedures, and 12) program or project proposals.
Ability to exercise objectivity: The successful candidate has the ability to exercise objectivity, impartiality, and nonpartisanship in all phases of analysis and consultation. This includes the capacity to look at the dimensions of a problem and weigh them against a set of standards/criteria that are independent of the problem. This also includes the ability to maintain objectivity despite any personal bias or outside pressures.
Ability to convey analysis and information orally through briefings, consultations and presentations: The successful candidate has the ability to convey analysis and information orally through briefings, consultations and educational presentations, in both planned and extemporaneous situations, in order to discuss or explain issues related to the program area. This includes adjusting the amount, form, depth, and level of detail and content of information to the needs of the receiver/audience.
Ability to instill a collaborative work environment: The successful candidate has the ability to create, promote, and sustain collaborative approaches to the work of the organization. This includes creating organizational protocols that constitute an environment in which collaboration is expected. This also includes ensuring an atmosphere in which input is sought from colleagues with diverse expertise, skills, and abilities and using that input to inform and enhance the work of the organization.
All 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 the Library of Congress Regulations (LCRs) 2017.2-1, Senior Level Executive System.
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 ADA@loc.gov. 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 EEO/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.
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.
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 will 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, the Ethics in Government Act of 1978.
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 (click here for the form) and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form. If required supporting documentation is not attached, Veterans' Preference will not be considered in the application process.
For more information regarding eligibility requirements, please see the Library of Congress Merit Selection Plan, Section X.D, at: http://www.loc.gov/hr/employment/msp010909.pdf.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
The Library of Congress will evaluate applicants using the information provided in your resume. Reviews are intended to explore applicants' experience, knowledge, and training directly related to the job in order to identify the best qualified applicants for selection. For Senior Level positions, applicants do not need to respond to specific competency questions but will be requested to answer one question related to how they became aware of this job opportunity.
To preview questions please click here.
Current or former federal employees must submit their most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent).
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.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
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.
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.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/554416800. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
Learn more about
The Library of Congress serves the Congress in fulfilling its duties and preserves and promotes knowledge and creativity for the benefit of the American people. It is the nation's oldest federal cultural institution and the world's largest library, with more than 158 million items in its physical collections (including books, manuscripts, prints, photos, film, video, and sound recordings) and over 37 million items online. Located on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., the Library is the home of the U.S. Copyright Office, the Congressional Research Service (CRS), the Law Library of Congress and the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.
