Summary This position is located in the Federal Research Division, Library Enterprises Directorate, Chief Operating Officer. Responsibilities The Federal Research Division (FRD) is the principal fee-for-service, full-cost-recovery research and analysis service of the Library of Congress. FRD administers the Federal Research Program, which provides research reports, translations, and analytical studies for entities of the Federal Government and the District of Columbia. Serves as project manager for centrally managed technical information activities, performing the full range of program/project management functions for research, translation, and analysis activities. Works closely with Division management, research team members, and client agency counterparts. Prepares or contributes to planning, authorization, and implementation documents, and monitors their timely clearance and execution. Develops and ensures preparation of proposals, scopes of work, and budgets for proposed and assigned projects and prepares progress reports on the implementation of interagency agreements. Identifies substantive or administrative problems, taking corrective action with respect to modifications in program/project content, direction, funding, and staff levels. Solves highly complex problems within the technical information occupation. Evaluates and recommends new methods for information transfer. Performs information searches in a broad subject field, where government agency clients need specialized and complex information such as reports of advanced scientific research or social science information on complex issues before policy-makers or officials that are conflicting, incomplete, or unclear. Plans, organizes, develops, and conducts research and analysis on topics in assigned geographic or functional specialist area, providing comprehensive assessments of broad, exceptionally complex or highly sensitive issues within the assignment area. Draws on expert knowledge of Library collections and other resources to analyze complex questions, requirements, and priorities. Makes expert decisions as to which sources will best meet research objectives. Prepares reports, responses to inquiries and requests, and research papers using expert knowledge. Researches, writes, and/or coordinates difficult, complex projects or studies containing new, unfamiliar facets requiring considerable ingenuity in determining the approach and identifying the relevant factors for data collection and analysis. Serves as the principal liaison between the Division and Federal agency clients on the proposed or assigned research task. Serves as a senior analyst with responsibility for applying recognized expertise within a broad and complex geographic or functional specialty area in the research and analysis of significant issues, developments, and events affecting the formulation and execution of U.S. policy. Provides expert advice and consultation in defining information collection requirements and priorities, provides guidance to client agency managers and staff in interpreting and applying information, initiates, plans, and conducts in-depth research studies, and serves as a principal point of contact with other organizations, including other Federal agencies, on all matters related to the specialty area. Plans, develops, organizes, and conducts special research studies. Provides comprehensive assessments of broad, exceptionally complex, or highly sensitive issues within the assignment area. Using government agency client and Division management guidance, interprets the subject matter, scope, and objective of studies based on an in-depth understanding of most significant policy interests in the specialty area. Identifies sources of and acquires the resources needed to accomplish research objectives. Analyzes, formulates, and develops ideas, concepts, and methodology for new or revised policies, procedures, and systems for designing, implementing and evaluating technical information programs worldwide. Conducts research in strategy, design techniques, and methodology. Identifies concepts and ideas proven successful, and develops alternative concepts and techniques for use in various situations. Assesses strategic objectives, program and project designs, and methodology used, to determine whether they will accomplish established objectives. Performs various other duties as assigned. The position description number for this position is 012673. 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 non-supervisory, non-bargaining unit position. Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. Ability to perform project management functions in a technical information research environment.* Ability to plan, coordinate and provide complex research services.* Ability to interact collaboratively with others and provide liaison support.* Ability to apply knowledge of a subject matter area (e.g., foreign area studies, history, economics, medicine, law, earth sciences, military history, political science).* Ability to utilize automated technology to direct research projects and operations. Ability to communicate in writing. Ability to adapt. 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. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities who meet eligibility requirements are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants must submit a complete application package that is received by the closing date of this announcement. Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation. For more information, please see: Vetting Process 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 ADA@loc.gov. 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 EEO/Diversity Programs at 202-707-6024 or email spp@loc.gov. 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. 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. 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. A “Not to Exceed" (NTE) status is used to identify an appointment with a specific ending date. However, the Library has the right to separate a NTE employee at any time due to either performance issues or budget constraints. Are you a veteran? Please indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming in your application materials and/or applicant profile and provide the appropriate supporting documentation to validate your claim. Those applying for 5-point preference must submit Member Copy 4 of your DD 214. Those applying for 10-point preference must fill out an SF-15 (click here for the form) and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form. If required supporting documentation is not attached, Veterans' Preference will not be considered in the application process.