This position is located in the Latin American, Caribbean and European Division, General and International Collections Directorate, Researcher and Collections Services. The position description number for this position is 464895. The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area. The incumbent of this position may work a flexitime work schedule. This is a supervisory, non-bargaining unit position.
The competencies below are required for this position. Those marked with a double asterisk (**) are considered the most critical competencies for this position. A candidate's resume must show a proven record of accomplishment that clearly demonstrates he or she has: 1. Implementing the principles, concepts, and methods of library science.** The successful candidate has professional knowledge of library and information management principles and concepts. Experience with the following: 1) setting priorities and policies for general and special collections management; 2) developing strategies to improve the research experience and a culture of assessment; 3) determining strategies to organize, digitize and make collections accessible; 4) providing leadership for collection management, development and acquisition; 5) working closely with library subject specialists in setting performance goals; and 6) developing collaborative approaches to public outreach. 2. Knowledge of the countries, languages, and regions of Latin America, the Caribbean and/or Europe.** The successful candidate has professional knowledge of the countries, languages and regions of Latin America, the Caribbean and/or Europe in order to command credibility in the research and information communities to recognize trends in research and identify collaborative opportunities with persons from the regions. 3. Ability to lead and inspire change.** The successful candidate has the ability to lead tasks and people effectively and inspires change in developing and implementing agency values, principles, and direction. This includes the ability to promote ideas with enthusiasm, conviction, and assertiveness; resolve contentious situations; solicit and consider others’ opinions; gain support and commitment from others; motivate and inspire others; and promote a culture of change and growth. 4. Ability to supervise, develop and lead a diverse workforce.** The successful candidate has led people to meet an organization’s vision, mission, and strategic goals. Provided an inclusive workplace that fostered the development of others, facilitated cooperation and teamwork, and supported constructive resolution of differing opinions by using innovative approaches and future-oriented thinking. Performed human resources management functions such as: managed the budget and personnel planning for divisions under his/her direction; established performance expectations for managers and staff; provided formal and informal performance feedback and evaluated staff; and promoted the goals of equal employment opportunity and ensured the office was free of discriminatory employment practices. 5. Ability to provide program oversight and administrative management to agency programs and operations.** The successful candidate has provided a wide range of managerial, analytical, technical, and advisory functions related to the administrative programs within the division. This includes: 1) providing oversight for human resources, finance, information technology, facilities management and other services, 2) overseeing and guiding short- and long-term strategic planning initiatives, 3) accomplishing strategic and organizational goals by ensuring the effective interaction and integration of processes, 4) delegating and managing financial operations, 5) providing operational services in support of workforce planning goals, 6) managing effective and efficient administration of facilities requirements, 7) setting performance expectations, 8) providing advice, counsel and training to staff, 9) developing policies and guidelines affecting agency programs, and 10) directing monitoring and participating in outreach initiatives. 6. Ability to build and engage coalitions and professional networks in support of mission. The successful candidate has identified, built, and maintained relationships and professional networks to gain support and commitment from scholars and other learners; the publishing and creative community; and colleagues in the library field. This includes: 1) participating in and representing the institution at professional association meetings; 2) working collaboratively with other departments, agencies and organizations to further agency goals and objectives; 3) establishing cordial relationships with donors and potential donors to obtain additions to Library collections; and 4) working with the archival and research library community to identify trends and issues related to the collections and services of the Library. 7. Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing. The successful candidate has the ability to speak clearly, politely, and under control to peers, staff, managers, supervisors, and external audiences to both provide and seek information. This also includes actively listening to and understanding information; and listening to and answering questions thoughtfully and completely.
The Chief serves as the Library's principal representative in matters dealing with the countries, languages and regions covered by the division. This includes the provision of services related to collections of the relevant countries of origin, the related American Diasporas, and engagement with Latin American, Caribbean, and European studies broadly. With guidance from the director, and in keeping with overall Library strategy and objectives, the Chief formulates the division’s vision, establishes the mission and goals, determines objectives, manages resources, and evaluates the overall performance of the division. The Chief supports the development of the collections of the de facto national library as it pertains to the growth and direction of the Library's Latin American, Caribbean, and European Division collections, facilitates research and reference service onsite and virtually, and coordinates library outreach and engagement with a large and diverse array of users and communities. The Chief is responsible for effectively communicating and cooperating with stakeholders across the Library, and with external organizations. Operationally, the Chief is responsible for governance and compliance within the division, setting policies for, administering, and supervising division staff, programs, services, and activities, and ensuring the overall administrative and operational effectiveness of the division, in keeping with established policies, procedures, and timelines. The Chief has responsibility for oversight and administration of all aspects of the division’s organization, services, and programs. Incorporates inclusive and equitable policies and processes to ensure diversity and accessibility in all collections development, research service, and outreach and engagement efforts. Establishes and maintains an assessment approach to ensure the division evaluates its effectiveness and strives for continuous improvement. The Chief works with custodial divisions around a collection development strategy that ensures a diverse, balanced, and sustainable collection. Supports the Library’s mandate to have collections that are inclusive and representative of a diversity of creators and ideas and ensures the acquisition of material of underrepresented perspectives and voices. Supervises a group of employees performing work up to the GS-14 level. Provides administrative and technical supervision relative to the staff supervised. Plans work to be accomplished by subordinates, sets, and adjusts short-term and long-term priorities, and prepares schedules for completion of work. Assigns work to subordinates based on priorities, selective consideration of the difficulty and requirements of assignments, and the capabilities of employees. Observes workers’ performance; demonstrates and conducts work performance critiques. The Chief establishes and maintains effective working relationships with various high-level officials, including Members of Congress and their staff, other legislative and executive agencies, donors, and distinguished members of the public, to advance the mission of the Division and the mission and goals of the Library. Establishes and maintains close and cooperative working relationships with Library officials, other government agencies, and academic and cultural institutions with related interests in the subject areas of the Division. Communicates with service units and directorate management teams on the status of various work activities, programs, and projects.