Program Specialist

Summary This position is located in the Office of External relations, Law Library. The position description number for this position is 413668. The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area. This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position. This position is not eligible for permanent remote telework. Responsibilities Follows established policies and procedures to assist in the development and maintenance of relationships with various stakeholders in the government, private industry, universities, and to further the Law Library's research, public services, or technology non-profit initiatives. Explores collaborative arrangements and builds relationships with existing and new customers/partners. Assists the chief of the Office of External Relations in formulating internal policies and procedures to resolve conventional problems and situations in assigned liaison activities. Responds, in verbal and written format, to requests for information requiring coordination with other agency offices. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with agency program staff, headquarters staff, state and local officials, and/or private industry individuals. Follows guidelines and procedures to develop communications plans in support of organizational initiatives. Serves as the principal liaison for key groups. Prepares agendas and visual materials for meetings and ensures that reports and visual materials are complete and ready for presentation at meetings. Oversees all logistics planning and preparation for meetings, including scheduling, mailings, travel and lodging arrangements, and special events. Prepares and distributes approved minutes of meetings. In addition, the program specialist will also staff Law Library of Congress outreach events. Through professional contacts worldwide, the incumbent is responsible for developing, maintaining, and expanding the Law Library's relationships with individuals and representatives from diverse groups and entities, both private and governmental, in order to increase the effectiveness, visibility, and prestige of the Law Library of Congress. The incumbent must exhibit excellent judgment, sensitivity, creativity, versatility, and initiative in performing the varied requirements of this position. In effectively dealing with persons from different cultures and backgrounds, the incumbent must demonstrate flexibility, discretion, and tact. Mentors interns as needed. Drafts correspondence, blog posts, press releases, articles, and flyers to promote Law Library of Congress products, services, and events. Maintains all business, research and correspondence files for current and historical information that are well organized and entirely up to date. Works on projects relating to marketing, public programs, professional visits, outreach events, or other events specifically related to services, events, systems, or products offered by the Law Library of Congress. As assigned, serves on committees or other groups involved in developing, improving, or assessing the effect of new technologies on Law Library or Library of Congress operations. The program specialist will also serve on Library of Congress committees concerned with events, outreach, and assessment. Resolves unusual problems in performing a variety of duties related to special projects involving administrative or program issues. Conducts extensive research of data from diverse sources. Extracts and assembles information. Uses advanced analytical techniques to develop conclusions. Develops written reports or oral presentations to recommend changes to programs or procedures. Ensures that the Law Library has adequate outreach supplies on hand, and collaborates with the chief of the Office of External Relations on the design of new outreach supplies, and places orders for new outreach supplies. The program specialist will also serve a development function for the Office of External Relations, raising funds for various Law Library gift funds by identifying potential donors, building relationships with new donors and maintaining relationships with existing donors, and creating fundraising campaigns to appeal to new and existing donors. Identifies issues, gathers and analyzes information, and develops advice and guidance to resolve substantive problems affecting the effectiveness and efficiency of work operations in a program or program support setting. Modifies qualitative and quantitative analytical methods to fit a wide range of variables, including issues, problems, or concepts that are not susceptible to direct observation and analysis. Adapts guidance to particular requirements, such as modifying verbal presentations to suit participant groups' needs and interests. Prepares program-related correspondence, reports, and/or other written materials associated with established organizational programs, policies, and/or operations. Gathers additional information about organizational functions or workload as needed in order to recommend program actions and/or policies. 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. Knowledge of event planning and execution. * Ability to provide program advice and guidance. * Ability to Problem Solve and Make Recommendations. * Ability to Serve as a Liaison. * Ability to Plan, Prioritize, and Organize Work. 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 the minimum step 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. 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. Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation. The Library reserves the right to fill a lesser or greater number of vacancies indicated during the life of this vacancy announcement. Initial appointments, permanent or indefinite, to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period. 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. 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.