The Asian and Middle Eastern (ASME) Division is offering an opportunity for a qualified individual at the GS-14 level to serve on a temporary promotion to the GS-15 level, OR a qualified individual at the GS-15 level (no promotion) to serve on a full-time 120-day detail. The individual will serve as Chief of the ASME Division. Applicants must have one year of time-in-grade at the GS-14 to be eligible to be temporarily promoted to the GS-15.

Reporting to the Deputy Director of the Acquisitions & Bibliographic Access Directorate, this position is responsible for the full range of administrative management and technical direction of the ASME Division. The successful candidate will gain excellent work experience in managing a diverse team of first-line supervisors, librarians, and library technicians who acquire and catalog library collections in all subjects and formats of materials, with a focus on collections from Asia and the Middle East.

Responsibilities:

 The acting chief has primary responsibility for the following:

 

• Direction and management of the ASME Division, its 39 staff and operations.
• Delegation of assignments to employees ranging from GS-7 to the GS-14 level who report to 4 sections: China; Israel and Judaica; Middle East and South Asia; Northeast Asia.
• Direct supervision of 4 first-line supervisors.
• Ensuring that employees are fully trained to perform their duties which include acquisitions, cataloging, and staff training.
• Evaluation of current programs and development of new programs and projects.
• Ensuring staff security and safe handling of equipment and collections in the division.
• Development of new cataloging practices and standards.
• Evaluation of direct reports and establishment of performance expectations for staff through the Library of Congress’s formal employee performance management system.
• Resolution of informal complaints and grievances.
• Recommendation of new appointments, promotions, or reassignments. 

Application Process:

Interested candidates should:

1. Obtain permission from their supervisor.
2. Submit a federal style resume (Please follow the link and ensure the resume includes all components of a federal style resume.)
3. Submit a one-page Statement of Interest describing qualifications that include work experience, education, and training related to the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below.

 

• Master’s degree in library science or an equivalent or higher degree of education.
• Supervisory and/or managerial experience.
• Area studies experience pertaining to the geographical areas covered by the ASME Division
• Foreign language expertise (e.g. Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Hebrew, languages spoken in the Middle East, South, and Southeast Asia).
• Past cataloging experience (e.g. librarian, first-line supervisor, and/or manager).
• Collections management and/or collections development expertise. 
• Program management expertise.
• Contract and/or financial management experience.
• Project and/or committee management.
• Ability to utilize computer technologies and applications (e.g., Adobe Acrobat, MS Suite, Voyager (Acquisitions and Cataloging Modules), OCLC Connexion, E2 Solutions, Emanagement, Momentum, Serena, Monster, EmpowHR, USAP Performance, BIBFRAME MARVA Editor, etc.).
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

4. The applicant should also provide the name and email address of their immediate supervisor.

 

Eligibility: This opportunity is open to permanent staff of the Library Collections & Services Group who have permission from their supervisor. Applicants must have one year time-in-grade at the GS-14 level to be eligible to be temporarily promoted to the GS-15.

Work Schedule: The potential for telework is an option. 

Submission: Candidates should submit the required documents listed above to Angela Kinney at anki@loc.gov by close of business Monday, March 31, 2025.

Selection: Applicant information will be reviewed, and the top qualified candidates may be interviewed. The selection will be based on how well the candidates meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. 

Start date: The desired start date for the opportunity is Monday, April 21, 2025.