Supervisory Librarian (Head, Research & Programs), American Folklife Center

Description

The Head of the Research and Programs Section in the American Folklife Center (AFC) shares with the Director of the AFC the overall responsibility for administering, planning, implementing, and evaluating research and program activities of the AFC to ensure the overall mission of the AFC to preserve and present American folklife. The purpose of the position is to coordinate AFC folklife, ethnomusicology, documentary media, research and program activities; to survey, analyze, and provide professional services related to the AFC's acquisition activities, including long-range planning as well as day-to-day responsibilities; to represent the AFC and Library on matters pertaining to AFC programs, research and acquisitions; to perform other duties related to the AFC or in support of the Office of the Associate Librarian for Library Services, as assigned; to develop policies and procedures to ensure compliance with AFC's statutory mission, Library goals; and to serve the Library's many constituencies, including Members of Congress and their staffs, the Congressional Research Service, representatives of other government agencies, the general public, scholars, academic institutions, and other folklife constituencies.

This position is located in the Research and Programs Section, American Folklife Center, Collections and Services Directorate, Library Services.

The position description number for this position is 60142.

The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area.

The incumbent of this position will work a flextime work schedule.

This is a supervisory, non-bargaining unit position.

Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement.

Duties
The incumbent's performance will be assessed on the basis of the quality and effectiveness of the AFC's ability to provide the public and other Library constituents research and outreach program services; the effectiveness of the incumbent's communication and cooperation with other staff members, the Library of Congress and outside organizations; the extent and quality of participation in the management of the AFC, including the assumption of overall supervisory responsibilities in the absence of the Director, on a rotating basis with the Head of the Archive of Folk Culture; the extent and quality of assuring staff participation and consultation; effective leadership, training and management of subordinate staff in incorporating the AFC and Library's core values into their activities, and the quality and effectiveness of the AFC's acquisitions program.

Supervises professional staff of program and/or folklife specialists performing work at the GS-05/07/09/11/12/13 levels. Provides administrative and technical supervision necessary for accomplishing program goals of the staff assigned to the AFC Research and Programs Section.

Advises and assists the Director of the AFC in managing, administering, planning, implementing, and evaluating those program activities that deal directly with the Center's mission to preserve and present American Folklife through research, programs and acquisitions. Identifies, recommends and implements policies and procedures to best serve the diverse needs of the various AFC constituencies. Advises and assists other managers in framing goals and facilitating solutions for the AFC and the Library, ensuring compliance with all Library regulations, policies and procedures.

Serves as an expert in the organization, development, and implementation of multiple projects. Serves as a supervisory project leader, team leader, or chairperson for library-wide working groups, task forces, and/or committees which have been assigned responsibility for projects and programs related to public service, the integration of traditional and emerging digital reference library services, acquisitions, collection development, research, public programs, and service to the AFC's many constituencies. Conceives, organizes and develops projects utilizing critical judgment to determine scope, emphasis, approach, appropriate techniques, and manner of presentation. Prepares consolidated operational and public service reports utilizing statistical and narrative data to support the information services provided by and through the AFC, to the Library, the public and other constituencies world-wide.

Makes significant recommendations to change, interpret, or develop important or innovative policies, programs, approaches, or analysis methods for the acquisitions process. Assesses the availability of financial and human resources, and independently plans, schedules, coordinates and carries out activities related to the Library and AFC acquisitions programs. Works with the Director and Head of the Archives to evaluate offers of gifts for compatibility with AFC acquisition policies and recommends acceptance or rejection.

Serves as a principal liaison for the organization's research, outreach programs and acquisitions work at professional conferences, seminars, and exhibits. Initiates, establishes, and maintains professional relationships with scholars and academicians, librarians, other program specialists such as other folklife specialists to share resources and information. Represents the AFC at special events for Congressional and National Programs. Serves as AFC contact for Library-wide exhibits and programs. Serves as a principal liaison to the AFC’s Board of Trustees. Maintains an active professional life in the field of folklore and folklife through professional writing, participating in national and regional professional meetings, conferences and symposia, as well as other forms of engagement with the field.

Job Requirements
Job Requirements
Key Requirements
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 lead and supervise a diverse workforce.**

Ability to organize, develop, and implement programs and special projects.**

Knowledge of public programming, research methods and collection development related to the fields of folklife, oral history, ethnomusicology and/or other related disciplines.**

Ability to communicate in writing.

Ability to serve as a liaison and represent a library or similar cultural institution on matters of folklife, ethnomusicology, ethnographic research, and public programs.

Ability to apply knowledge of the subject areas of a collection in a public services setting.

Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing. 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.