Duties
The Congressional Research Service (CRS), Office of the Counselor to the Director, is seeking to fill the position of Head of the Congressional Programs Section (CP).
The Programs Section coordinates a variety of CRS programs, seminars, and events (including broadcast, web-based, and other technologies) for Members, committees, and staff of the U.S. Congress. The selectee will directly supervise a team of Public Affairs Coordinators and others, and will lead the planning, coordination, and implementation of a wide range of major programs and services related to congressional client education and outreach. Section activities include:
- Coordinating regularly scheduled training programs in legislative processes and procedures;
- Supporting programs and seminars on the federal budget, federal law, and public policy issues;
- Coordinating policy programs for new Members of Congress and orientations to CRS services for permanent congressional staff and for congressional interns;
- Coordinating other events for the U.S. Congress and for CRS managers and staff;
- Providing information to congressional clients about CRS programs, products and services; and
CRS works exclusively for the U.S. Congress, providing policy and legal analysis to committees and Members of both the House and Senate, regardless of party affiliation. As a legislative branch agency within the Library of Congress, CRS is a valued and respected resource on Capitol Hill.
CRS is well known for analysis that is authoritative, confidential, objective, and nonpartisan. Its highest priority is to ensure that Congress has immediate access to the nation's best thinking on public policy issues of interest to Members and Committees.
Head, Congressional Programs Section duties include:
Leads planning, coordination, and implementation of a wide range of CRS Programs, seminars, and events for Members, committees, and staff of the U.S. Congress. Coordinates content and delivery of programs, seminars, and events with managers, subject matter experts, and congressional clients. Develops a budget and monitors expenditures. Maintains a network of subject matter experts who serve as leaders or instructors on public policy issues and topics of interest to congressional clients. Negotiates services contracts and monitors contractor performance.
Designs, develops, and recommends congressional outreach efforts. Establishes and implements guidelines and policies for evaluation and quality assessment of instructional programs, seminars, and events.
Oversees the complete inventory of CRS marketing, publicity, and promotional materials for programs, seminars, events, and congressional outreach activities. Directs development of new materials. Writes and edits content for and coordinates layout, design, and production of marketing, publicity, and promotional materials. Ensures disseminated information is accurate, complete, objective, and free from unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information.
Conducts studies and advises CRS senior management on developments in the fields of performance technology and instructional design for possible application in assessing CRS programs, seminars, events, and congressional outreach activities.
Directly supervises staff in the Congressional Programs Section of the Office of the Counselor to the Director.
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.
Ability to plan and execute educational programs and events by applying the basic principles, concepts, and methodologies of events planning and management. **
Ability to supervise. **
Knowledge of the U.S. Congress and its legislative processes. **
Ability to manage projects.
Ability to convey information orally through briefings and other presentations.
Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.
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.
How to Apply
Please note, there is no page restriction to your resume, and you are allowed to upload a resume longer than two pages in the documents section within the application process. When the application system prompts, please proceed to the agency site to complete your application.
Please carefully follow all instructions under the How to Apply tab to ensure you are considered for the position.
You are required to apply online for this announcement. We are unable to accept mailed or emailed documents. You must complete the entire application process, including submission of all documents BEFORE this announcement closes. To do so, complete the following steps.
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 end of the Qualification and Evaluation section of the job announcement to preview the online questions that you will answer in Step 4. You may wish to customize your USAJOBS resume to ensure that it supports your responses to these questions.
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: Once you have completed the eligibility questions, you will be taken directly to the vacancy application questions. Answer all questions honestly and thoroughly. Step 5: Hiring Management offers three options that will electronically attach your documentation to your online application once you finish answering the questions in the job announcement.
(1) You may select a document that you have already uploaded to USAJOBS for a previous announcement.
(2) You may electronically upload a document directly from your computer to your application. Be certain to review your complete application for confirmation of the document uploaded and click on "Finished" to be returned to USAJOBS.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you have multiple documents of the same kind, e.g. 2 undergraduate transcripts from different schools or 2 SF-50s, etc., be sure that they are all in the same file on your computer or in your USAJOBS profile before uploading them. If you try uploading them individually, only the last one sent will be visible in our system. If you have any questions about this information, please contact the person on this announcement BEFORE the closing date.
Step 6: 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. Your complete online application and any required supplemental documentation (e.g., SF-50, etc.) must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of the announcement. It is your responsibility to ensure that all documents are received on time and that the materials are readable. Failure to do so will result in your application being excluded from consideration for this announcement.
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. REQUESTS FOR EXTENSIONS WILL NOT BE GRANTED.
Next steps
Please review our evaluation process under Evaluation. 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.