Duties
This position requires elevated IT access to systems to perform the work of the position. This position requires a Public Trust background investigation at the Moderate risk level.
The position reports directly to the Head, Network Services Section and solves highly complex problems, makes significant recommendations to change, interpret, or develop important or innovative information policies, programs, approaches, or analysis methods.
The position provides expert consultative service concerning all aspects of Braille and Talking Book resources to libraries serving readers who are blind and print-disabled in an assigned portion of the NLS four regional conferences; represents NLS as a Senior Network Consultant in contact with a network of cooperating libraries, administering agencies, consumer groups, as well as general public and library professionals; recommends and identifies service trends and specific problems which have general impact on the network and NLS; writes reports, prepares articles for publication, evaluations and correspondence; advises on, reviews and analyzes comparative statistical data related to network libraries; represents NLS at conferences as Senior Network Consultant; and delivers speeches. Provides project management coordination for assigned NLS and network projects.
Provides expert consultative service to an assigned portion of the service network concerning all elements of library service to readers who are blind and print-disabled. Serves as NLS Senior Network Consultant expert on regional library concerns and activities, related to guidance and access, in his or her portion of the nation.
Supports network libraries in collection building activities, assisting with decisions about automation enhancements, advising outreach activities and offering reader advisors training in basic reference tools such as the network library services website resources.
Independently provides effective leadership, management of resource allocation, deliverables and milestones, negotiation skills, realistic scheduling, critical thinking, comprehensive strategic planning, project monitoring, risk management analysis, coaching, communication with stakeholders , and, if needed, contract management.
Coordinates field tests and pilot projects initiated by NLS in collaboration with network libraries. Identifies resources, details timeframes, develops goals and objectives; gathers data when appropriate and required in best practices, and produces reports for orientations, national conferences, yearly events, and trainings.
Works on library information resource matters, including working on agency level committees and working groups to develop recommendations regarding the evaluation of information resources.
Conducts user evaluations while serving as liaison for publications about network activities. Identifies and recommends the need for resources and compiles information for the network Operations s which are devoted to topics of concern to cooperating libraries, such as circulation matters, outreach activities, use of volunteers, cooperation with other community agencies, workflows, staffing patterns, developing services, providing specific examples for libraries with successful or innovative programs. Researches and drafts correspondence for appropriate administrative personnel on inquiries and complaints from Congressional Offices related to network library service.
Organizes and coordinates assignments that involve complex and unusual or obscure problems and/or special requirements. Uses initiative and resourcefulness to exercise flexibility for extending accepted methods, techniques, and practices. Recommends solutions and resolves important issues when precedents do not apply. Identifies areas for improvement in established methods. Develops and shares new information sources. Performs detailed analyses and evaluations of requests. Prepares reports, analyses, and other documents related to information and research efforts. Manages electronic documents including the storage, retrieval, and exchange of information.
Independently performs in-depth analyses in order to develop and interpret related policies and procedures for an organization by reviewing all consultant reports and telephone records on an ongoing basis to identify service trends and specific problems which may have general impact; recommends appropriate NLS action to resolve or ease problems; prepares position papers as necessary. Reviews network publications, forms, applications, and newsletters for accuracy and completeness regarding services offered and conformance to NLS requirements.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
This position requires elevated IT access to systems to perform the work of the position. This position requires a Public Trust background investigation at the Moderate risk level.
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 provide consultation and liaison services.**
Ability to plan, develop and execute library programs and projects.**
Ability to manage projects.
Ability to apply analytical and evaluative techniques to develop recommendations.
Ability to communicate in writing.
Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.
Education
There are no education requirements for this position.
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 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.