Summary
This position is located in the Asian Division, General and International Collections Directorate, Researcher and Collections Services.
The position description number for this position is 459596.
The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area.
The incumbent of this position may work a flextime work schedule.
This is a supervisory, non-bargaining unit position. This job is open to The public: U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Clarification from the agency
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.
Chief, Asian Division Career Showcase
This event was held on Thursday, December 5, 2024. Access the recording by clicking here.
The Chief serves as the Library’s principal representative in matters dealing with the countries, languages and regions covered by the division. This includes the provision of services related to collections of the relevant countries of origin, the related American Diasporas, and engagement with East, South and Southeast Asia studies broadly. With guidance from the director, and in keeping with overall Library strategy and objectives, the Chief formulates the division’s vision, establishes the mission and goals, determines objectives, manages resources, and evaluates the overall performance of the division.
The Chief has primary responsibility for building the collections of the de facto national library as it pertains to the growth and direction of the Library’s Asian Division collections, facilitating research and reference service onsite and virtually, and coordinating library outreach and engagement with a large and diverse array of users and communities.
The Chief is responsible for effectively communicating and cooperating with stakeholders across the Library, and with external organizations.
Operationally, the Chief is responsible for governance and compliance within the division, setting policies for, administering, and supervising division staff, programs, services, and activities, and ensuring the overall administrative and operational effectiveness of the division, in keeping with established policies, procedures, and timelines.
The Chief has responsibility for oversight and administration of all aspects of the division’s organization, services, and programs. Incorporates inclusive and equitable policies and processes to ensure diversity and accessibility in all collections development, research service, and outreach and engagement efforts. Establishes and maintains an assessment approach to ensure the division evaluates its effectiveness and strives for continuous improvement.
The Chief sets and implements a collection development strategy that ensures a diverse, balanced, and sustainable portfolio via the division’s East Asia Section and South, Southeast, Tibetan, and Mongolian Section. Ensures appropriate collections storage and management via the Collection Services Section. Supports the Library’s mandate to have collections that are inclusive and representative of a diversity of creators and ideas and ensures the acquisition of material of underrepresented perspectives and voices.
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 and long-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.
The Chief establishes and maintains effective working relationships with various high-level officials, including Members of Congress and their staff, other legislative and executive agencies, donors, and distinguished members of the public, to advance the mission of the Division and the mission and goals of the Library.
Establishes and maintains close and cooperative working relationships with Library officials, other government agencies, and academic and cultural institutions with related interests in the subject areas of the Division. Communicates with service units and directorate management teams on the status of various work activities, programs, and projects.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
See requirements listed below under Qualifications Required.
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: https://www.loc.gov/static/portals/careers/documents/loc_supervisor_core_competencies.pdf
Conditions of Employment
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 drug use and activities (e.g., selling or distributing) may deem you ineligible for employment.
Qualifications
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:
1. Implementing the principles, concepts, and methods of library science**: The successful candidate has applied professional knowledge of library and information management principles, concepts, and methods to manage library functions and carry out library programs in a research library setting; used this knowledge to create content, organize material, and provide access to analog and digital collections. Experience with the following: 1) setting priorities and policies for general and special collections management; 2) developing strategies to improve the research experience and a culture of assessment; 3) determining strategies to organize, digitize and make collections accessible; 4) providing leadership for collection management, development and acquisition; 5) working closely with library subject specialists in setting performance goals; and 6) developing collaborative approaches to public outreach to increase the use of Library collections and services.
2. Knowledge of the countries, languages, and peoples of East, South, and Southeast Asia**: The successful candidate has professional knowledge of the countries, languages and peoples of East, South, and/or Southeast Asia in order to command credibility in the research and information communities, to recognize trends in research, and identify collaborative opportunities with persons from the regions.
3. Ability to lead and inspire change**: The successful candidate has the ability to lead people effectively and inspire change in developing and implementing Library of Congress values, principles, and direction. This includes the ability to promote ideas with enthusiasm, conviction, and assertiveness; resolve contentious situations; solicit and consider others’ opinions; gain support and commitment from others; motivate and inspire others; and promote a culture of change and growth.
4. Ability to supervise, develop and lead a diverse workforce**: The successful candidate has led people to meet an organization’s vision, mission, and strategic goals. Provided an inclusive workplace that fostered the development of others, facilitated cooperation and teamwork, and supported constructive resolution of differing opinions by using innovative approaches and future-oriented thinking. Performed human resources management functions such as: managed the budget and personnel planning for divisions under his/her direction; established performance expectations for the division chiefs and staff; provided formal and informal performance feedback and evaluated staff; and promoted the goals of equal employment opportunity and ensured the office was free of discriminatory employment practices.
5. Ability to provide program oversight and administrative management to agency programs and operations**: The successful candidate has provided a wide range of managerial, analytical, technical, and advisory functions related to the administrative programs within the division. This included: 1) provided oversight for human resources, finance, information technology, facilities management and other services, 2) oversaw and guided short- and long-term strategic planning initiatives, 3) accomplished strategic and organizational goals by ensuring the effective interaction and integration of processes, 4) delegated and managed financial operations, 5) provided operational services in support of workforce planning goals, 6) managed effective and efficient administration of facilities requirements, 7) set performance expectations, 8) provided advice, counseled and trained to staff, 9) developed policies and guidelines affecting agency programs, and 10) directed, monitored and participated in outreach initiatives.
6. Ability to build and engage coalitions and professional networks in support of mission: The successful candidate has identified, built, and maintained relationships and professional networks to gain support and commitment from scholars and other learners; the publishing and creative community; and colleagues in the library field. This includes: 1) participating in and representing the institution at professional association meetings; 2) working collaboratively with other departments, agencies and organizations to further agency goals and objectives; 3) establishing cordial relationships with donors and potential donors to obtain additions to Library collections; and 4) working with the archival and research library community to identify trends and issues related to the collections and services of the Library.
7. Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing: The successful candidate has the ability to speak clearly, politely, and under control to peers, staff, managers, supervisors, and external audiences to both provide and seek information. This also includes actively listening to and understanding information; and listening to and answering questions thoughtfully and completely.
How You Will Be Evaluated
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.
You may preview questions for this vacancy.
How to Apply
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.
Apply here: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/821408800
