Program Specialist - Library of Congress

Summary This position is located in the Professional Learning and Outreach Initiatives, Center for Learning, Literacy and Engagement Directorate, Office of the Librarian. The position description number for this position is 421795. This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position. The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustment for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area. Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement. Responsibilities The Center is responsible for producing dynamic experiences that connect public audiences with the unparalleled collections and expertise of the Library. Professional Learning and Outreach Initiatives (PLOI) work informs, inspires, and engages the Library’s nationwide Connectors—specifically educators, librarians, early researchers, and literacy champions. PLOI’s three teams: the Professional Networks Team, the Professional Learning Events Team and the Professional Learning Products team work together and with colleagues across the Library to convene, connect and communicate with external audiences, encouraging use of the Library’s resources. PLOI administers the Library’s Teaching with Primary Sources Grant program and the Literacy Awards program, and manages their vast networks; is responsible for the Teachers Page on the Library’s Website, the “Teaching with the Library of Congress” blog, and for regularly contributing to external publications; facilitates in person and online professional development opportunities for educators and school librarians, and collaborates extensively with colleagues across the Library to develop programming and resources. The incumbent in this position will manage the Literacy Awards Program. The incumbent performs coordination and administrative activities which are related to the awards program, such as office operations, meeting logistics, and other administrative tasks. The incumbent ensures that the work performed is completed in the most efficient and effective manner and follows all of the proper Library of Congress Regulations and Directives. The incumbent also works with all staff members within PLOI and ensures that the work performed is accurate and presented in a timely manner. The incumbent serves as Program Specialist and 1) plans, promotes, and coordinates the Literacy Awards Program; 2) assists in the management of budgets and finances for the Literacy Awards Program using gift funds; and 3) works with other Professional Learning and Outreach Initiatives staff members to help coordinate activities and projects related to literacy and information literacy initiatives. Incumbent is responsible for and assists in, setting the tone for the Literacy Awards overall programmatic agenda; by building or advising on program strategy, planning, management, execution and evaluation. The incumbent will be performing duties as a program manager, creating timelines and managing all different stages in the program life cycle. In coordination with, and under the direction of the Director, supports long-range planning and analysis of agency programs. Works with management to develop long-range management plans for efficient and effective program implementation and administration. Supports the assessment and improvement of program effectiveness or the improvement of complex management processes and systems. Applies a wide range of qualitative and/or quantitative methods for the assessment and improvement of complex short and long-range goals of the organization and develops detailed plans for implementing them. Recommends changes in objectives or emphasis in functions under the organization's purview. Optimizes the use of existing resources, assists in planning for future resource needs, estimates short- and long-range personnel, budgetary, space, and equipment needs, and implements new resources. Assists the Professional Learning and Outreach Initiatives director with supporting the daily operations of programs and activities, including providing guidance to the program’s administrative assistant, temporary volunteers and college interns. Oversees the updates to and maintenance of the schedules for program-related events, keeping the Director of PLOI and the Library Events Office informed to avoid conflict with other Library events. Reviews productivity in several key areas, monitors problem areas, and oversees implementation of solutions to problems. Conducts periodic and comprehensive evaluations of ongoing functions to ensure the program meets its stated goals. Identifies areas where operational efficiency can be enhanced. Recommends actions necessary to maintain or improve the quality and quantity of operational services, introducing or refining automation, reorganizing operating units, reassigning personnel, and proposing the increase of organization resources. Directs the capture, reporting, and analysis of statistical data relating to the organization's operations and directs or personally performs special studies regarding this data. Requirements Conditions of Employment Conditions of Employment Although the Library of Congress is not covered by the nationwide injunction against the federal government vaccine requirement, the Library of Congress has decided it will not enforce its vaccine requirement at this time. Therefore, to the extent a Library of Congress job announcement includes the requirement that applicants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, that requirement does not currently apply. The Library of Congress continues to require information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine. Library employees who are not vaccinated will be required to undergo testing for COVID-19 every seven days. Upon request, employees must provide proof of vaccination to the Health Services Division. 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 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 program planning and management, evaluation, and oversight that support the goals of the organization. Ability to conduct organizational or program assessments. Ability to provide consultation and liaison duties. Ability to communicate in writing. Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing. Education 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 the minimum step of the grade. The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities who meet eligibility requirements are strongly 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. 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: Vetting Process 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. 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. A “Not to Exceed" (NTE) status is used to identify an appointment with a specific ending date. However, the Library has the right to separate a NTE employee at any time due to either performance issues or budget constraints.