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Summary This position is located in the Preparation Section, Manuscript Division, Special Collections Directorate, Researcher & Collections Services. This is a supervisory, non-bargaining unit position. The position description number is 111416. The salary range reflects the locality pay for the Washington, DC metro area. This position requires occasional Saturday service in the Manuscript Reading Room. Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person selected for this position. Responsibilities As part of one of the largest manuscript repositories in the United States and in the world, the Preparation Section is key to the Manuscript Division's mission of preparing for reader use material that encompasses the breadth and chronology of American history, including the papers of presidents, cabinet members, Supreme Court justices, writers, scientists, inventors, business leaders, reformers, and prominent non-governmental organizations. The Assistant Head of the Preparation Section works under the general direction of the Head of the Section and is responsible for directing and training a group of employees in the processing of collections, housing and storing them, keeping records, providing reference assistance to the public, and handling and/or declassifying classified documents while complying with all applicable federal regulations. The incumbent must have strong managerial and interpersonal skills and comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of archives. Directs the daily operations of staff in the processing of archival materials according to established procedures. Performs extensive research in published sources to fill in significant gaps in information relating to the organization, description, and preservation of archives. Makes recommendations relating to the bibliographic and documentation systems of the Division, including those made available on the Internet or by other electronic means. Reviews for accuracy and relevance all categories of Division records and their dissemination within the Library and to the public. Responsible for the physical restoration/preservation of all manuscripts/other materials in the Division's custody. Effects the recommendations of supervisors and specialists concerning materials that are to be restored/preserved/bound, and the particular method to be employed. Schedules the flow of this work to the Conservation Office and provides instructions and follow-up as necessary. Recommends material for preservation reformatting and schedules and provides instructions for its reproduction. Manages the special equipment and supplies necessary to process and preserve collections. Assures the proper controls and conditions for the housing and storage of collection material. Under the direction of the Head of the Preparation Section, executes the plans/operations of the section in creating and maintaining a uniform system of archival and bibliographic controls over all manuscripts and other material in the custody of the Division, and devises, recommends, approves, and/or directs procedures for accessioning and technical processing, conservation, and preservation of such material. Assists the Head of the Section in maintaining physical security of the Division's collections, including classified material, equipment and space. Supervises the preparation and maintenance of official statistical work records in the section. Coordinates the preparation of registers, indexes, and other finding aids and controls that are developed in the Division. Provides expert advice on specialized preservation issues. Surveys internal collections, identifying and inventorying groups of materials. Analyzes, determines, and prioritizes preservation needs. Develops and proposes long-term strategies for the preservation of collections. Develops specifications and procedures for the preservation copying of originals, using standards developed in the archival preservation field. Monitors the quality and consistency of preservation and electronic copies to ensure adherence to established archival standards and specifications. Functions as a Division Security Officer, responsible for receiving, receipting for, and assuming full and complete custody of all classified materials in the Division under the conditions and safeguards stipulated by the Library and other Federal Agencies. Consults as appropriate with other security officers in the Division and the Library on matters affecting the performance of the Division's security duties. Serves as an official spokesperson for the Division and for the Library on matters relating to archival organization of classified and unclassified materials and the technical processes. Initiates, establishes, and maintains professional relationships with librarians and other specialists in order to share resources and information as well as to coordinate workflow within the library. Coordinates and reviews the preparation of registers, indexes, and other finding aids and controls developed in the Division. Works in close coordination with the specialists, the Head of Acquisitions and Outreach, the Head of the Reference and Readers Services Section, the Head of the Preparation Section, the other two Assistant Heads, and the Division Chief responsible for such technical matters as application of standards, the rules for entry and filing, and the maintenance and improvement of the Division's bibliographic and retrieval systems. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. The selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret Security Clearance. 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 supervise staff.** Knowledge of library archival records and collections management processes and procedures.** Knowledge of automated tools, technologies, and metadata standards, such as integrated library systems, digital curation applications, and general office software, to support archival functions. Ability to provide consultation or liaison duties. Ability to provide research and reference services. Ability to perform preservation 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 at step one of the grade. The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer. All who meet the eligibility requirements are 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 [email protected]. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Applicants with disabilities may be considered under special hiring procedures and must submit an appropriate certificate of eligibility when applying for this position. The proof or disability/certification may be issued by the State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of the applicant’s college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The letter must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and must be dated within three years of the date of the application. Certification from health care providers are not accepted. For more information contact the Library's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity at 202-707-6024 or email [email protected]. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM. 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: https://www.loc.gov/careers/working-at-the-library/frequently-asked-questions/vetting-personnel-at-the-library/ 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. In addition, per Library of Congress Regulation 9-532, an appointee or internal selectee is subject to a one-year supervisory probationary period if this is their first supervisory/managerial position at the Library of Congress. 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. The selected applicant may be required to file a financial disclosure statement with the House of Representatives, U.S. Congress, in accordance with the provisions of Public Law 95-521, Ethics in Government Act of 1978.