The position is located in the Center for Exhibits and Interpretation/Publishing Office and is under the administrative direction of the Director of Publishing. The position description number for this position is 463640. The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area. This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position. Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement.
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 develop and organize records and information for a historical knowledge repository.** Ability to conduct information research and knowledge management.** Ability to communicate in writing.** Ability to perform liaison duties.** Ability to perform client services and outreach activities. Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.
The position serves as the Historian for the Library of Congress. The Historian is the primary technical expert on the history of the Library of Congress and as the expert, (1) researches, compiles, and organizes the Library’s institutional memory; (2) provides advice, consultation, and verification of Library history in public-facing content; and (3) represents the agency in public outreach on issues pertaining to the Library’s history. Develops and maintains an accessible centralized digital repository that contains authoritative summaries of the Library’s key historical events, policies, programs, and operations. Manages the collection and processing of oral interviews of former employees to facilitate accessioning into Library Collections. Consults with representatives of the Manuscript Division to review and maintain the contents of the Library’s Archive, representatives of the Office of Communications to document key events and developments as they occur, and representatives of the Librarian’s Office to evaluate the historical significance of official correspondence. Makes recommendations to Library staff on the historical value of records; encourages preservation of historically valuable library materials; identifies and collects photographs, papers, and artifacts with historical significance. Continuously supplements the Library’s historical body of knowledge by conducting research on topics and events of historical significance to the Library and related institutions (including, but not limited to, recorded interviews, analysis of primary and sources, and consultation with colleagues, former employees, and other historians). Identifies gaps in the Library’s historical documentation, and through professional research and consultation, provides the information needed to close those gaps. Provides advice, consultation, and verification to the Exhibits Office, Publishing Office, Office of Communications, Visitor Services Office, and other directorates and divisions to ensure accurate characterizations of Library history in public-facing content. Advises senior leaders and staff on the Library's history. Conducts research and consults with other historical authorities to help resolve conflicts of fact and/or interpretation. Provides historical expertise on the Library of Congress and its role in history to the media, Members of Congress, the scholarly community, and the general public. Works with the Office of Communications to ensure accurate responses to historical inquiries from the news media and members of the public, and with the Congressional Relations Office to ensure accurate responses to historical inquiries from Members of Congress. Serves as a liaison between the Library and professional history organizations and historians at other federal agencies. Serves as a historical ambassador for the agency by participating in and/or contributing to appropriate professional meetings and conferences, publications, and scholarly and civic events. Advises and assists scholars and other researchers in identifying and obtaining access to pertinent archival records for historical studies. Assists researchers in developing historical studies and conducting research on the Library's history and its role in U.S. government and history. Gives guidance to researchers to help them with the Library’s historical studies and access to documents as well as directing them to other sources. Performs other duties as assigned.