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Summary The Resources, Science and Industry Division (RSI) of the Congressional Research Service (CRS) seeks a Section Research Manager, Agriculture and Food Supply to lead analysts within the Agriculture and Food Supply Section in the development of policy research and analysis relevant to congressional needs. Responsibilities The Section Research Manager leads analysts within, and advises the Assistant Director and Deputy Assistant Director regarding activities of, the Agriculture and Food Supply Section. The Section Research Manager ensures that section research and analysis is conducted in a fully collaborative manner, reflects the congressional agenda, and is relevant to congressional policy making. The Section Research manager facilitates the planning, organization and coordination of research, including major research projects related to sensitive or complex public policies of national or international significance. Such projects are often multidisciplinary in nature, and may include research performed by outside consultants. The Section Research Manager ensures that section research and analysis undertaken is of the highest quality and meets CRS's standards of objectivity, responsiveness, non-partisanship, balance, timeliness, legislative relevance, authoritativeness, and accessibility. As part of that process, the Section Research Manager reviews research to ensure that it complements other Service research and analyses; is accurate, well-organized, and cogent; meets professional and service standards; adheres to CRS policy guidelines; and is responsive to the legislative needs of Members and committees of Congress. The Section Research Manager is a key member of the division management team and establishes and maintains relationships with Members and committees of Congress, contributes to and assists in developing CRS-wide strategic goals and priorities, and communicates those goals and priorities to Agriculture and Food Supply Section analysts. The Section Research Manager oversees the implementation of CRS-wide policies, procedures, standards and guidelines by Agriculture and Food Supply Section analysts; effectively communicates management initiatives to them; and ensures they are able to acclimate to the changing needs of Congress and the CRS research community. The Section Research Manager also conveys to senior management information and concerns raised by Agriculture and Food Supply Section analysts. The Agriculture and Food Supply Section analysts addresses policy issues that include the policy and economic implications of agriculture policy and food policy in key areas such as domestic agricultural support, agricultural disaster assistance, agricultural markets, international trade, agricultural conservation, farm credit and disaster assistance, farm economy, and rural development. CRS works exclusively for the United States Congress, providing policy and legal analysis to committees and Members of both the House and Senate, regardless of party affiliation. As a legislative branch agency within the Library of Congress, CRS has been a valued and respected resource on Capitol Hill for more than a century. CRS is well known for analysis that is authoritative, confidential, objective, and nonpartisan. Its highest priority is to ensure that Congress has immediate access to the nation’s best thinking on public policy issues of interest to its Members and Committees. Duties include: Ensuring that the work results in objective, authoritative analysis with which the Congress can assess the consequences of legislative/policy options; Proactively establishing relationships with committees of jurisdiction, building long-term relationships with clients, and taking initiative to seek out new congressional contacts for CRS; Managing congressional requests, concerns, and needs in policy areas within the research management responsibility of the section; Collaborating with other managers to ensure an integrative approach to the work by fully identifying significant policy problems facing the Congress, developing analytical approaches to address these problems, and applying appropriate resources; Managing and supervising policy analysts, including communicating performance standards and expectations to staff, observing staff performance, giving feedback, and assessing performance; and Performing special assignments as directed by the Assistant/Deputy Assistant Director. Candidates with research and research management experience in issues covered by the Agriculture and Food Supply Section, and who have strong interpersonal skills and are capable of leading a highly motivated and talented research staff committed to providing Congress the highest level of nonpartisan, authoritative, objective policy analysis are encouraged to apply. The Section Research Manager directly supervises staff members in the Agriculture and Food Supply Section of the Resources, Science and Industry Division. They lead staff toward meeting the Library’s and CRS’s vision, mission, and goals by managing performance, communicating effectively, fostering continuous improvement and innovation, building and maintaining relationships, thinking systematically and inspiring change. They exhibit commitment to the Library’s Supervisor Core Competencies. 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. 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. Knowledge of agriculture and/or food policy** Ability to manage research** Ability to review the analysis of others** Ability to lead and manage staff Ability to communicate in writing Knowledge of congressional decision making Ability to convey information orally through briefings, consultations, and other presentations Ability to collaborate Ability to build relationships Ability to exercise judgment and discretion Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing Education Additional Information The position description number for this position is 085357. The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area. This is a supervisory, non-bargaining unit position. Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement. 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.