Director, Congressional Research Service

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. Ability to Oversee a Public Policy Research Agency**: The successful candidate has the ability to plan, review, monitor, direct, and ensure overall quality, productivity, efficiency, and effectiveness of the activities and operations of a public policy research agency/organization. This includes responsibility for setting the agency/organization’s overall strategic direction and formulating and implementing operational policies and procedures in a manner that achieves the mission and is responsive to its client’s public policy analysis, information, and research needs. This also includes successfully representing the organization’s staff expertise, products and services to the client. This also includes responsibility for executing the agency/organization’s budget and managing its staff (including analysts, information professionals, and attorneys, among others) and infrastructure, serving as the agency/organization’s principal advisor/liaison to other senior level officials, executives, and managers in negotiating, defending, and justifying goals, expectations, and requirements.

2. Knowledge of U.S. Public Policy Issues**: The successful candidate has knowledge and understanding of current national and transnational public policy issues sufficient to ensure the U.S. Congress’ needs for information, research, and analysis are met. This includes broad multidisciplinary knowledge of the array of public policy questions that emerge from the legislative, oversight, and representational work of Congress. This also includes knowledge of how artificial intelligence can be used in addressing public policy questions and how “big data” is managed in a public policy research organization.

3. Ability to Build Networks and Coalitions**: The successful candidate has the ability to build and maintain professional networks with congressional leadership, Members of Congress, congressional committees and their staff to advance the programs and objectives of CRS and the Library. This includes an understanding of congressional operations and functions (e.g., how legislation becomes law; the federal budget process; the appropriations process; oversight), and trending issues, sufficient to ensure timely and relevant assistance to congressional committees, Members, and staff. This also includes the ability to build and maintain professional networks with high-level individuals in legislative and executive branch agencies, executives of major research foundations and organizations, and distinguished members of the public, for purposes including advancing the programs and objectives of CRS and the Library and representing the Library at interagency, national, and international meetings.

4. Ability to Lead People and Manage a Diverse Workforce**: The successful candidate has the ability to oversee a public policy research agency/organization’s overall performance and implement its strategic vision and direction through a diverse, multi-disciplinary workforce (including analysts, information professionals, and attorneys, among others). This includes the ability to: motivate and inspire others; connect the organization horizontally and vertically; and foster high ethical standards in meeting the agency/organization’s vision, mission, and goals. This also includes the ability to: provide an inclusive workplace that allows for full participation by all employees; foster their development; facilitate collaboration, cooperation, and teamwork; support constructive resolution of conflicts; and promote a culture of constant improvement and growth.

5. Ability to Exercise Judgment and Discretion: The successful candidate has the ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion, particularly in situations having potential agency/organization-wide consequences. Demonstrates a consistent recognition of one’s own role in representing the institution and the consequent responsibilities for maintaining the integrity of the organization. In interactions with colleagues, clients, media/press, and others, understands the likely consequences or implications of one’s own actions. Works within the context of agency/organization policies, standards, and practices using utmost sensitivity and commitment to confidentiality.

6. Ability to Exercise Objectivity: The successful candidate has the ability to exercise objectivity, impartiality, and nonpartisanship in all phases of analysis and consultation. This includes the capacity to look at the dimensions of a problem and weigh them against a set of standards/criteria that are independent of the problem. This also includes the ability to maintain objectivity despite any personal bias or outside pressures, including partisanship.

7. Ability to Communicate Effectively Other than in Writing: The successful candidate has the ability to speak articulately, clearly, politely, and under control to others to both provide and seek information. This also includes targeting the amount, style and content of the information to the needs of the receiver, actively listening to and understanding information; and listening to and answering questions thoughtfully and completely.

All initial appointments, permanent or indefinite, to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period. In addition, all newly appointed Senior Level executives, from outside the Library as well as from within, must serve a one year probationary period in accordance with the Library of Congress Regulations (LCRs) 9-1610 Senior Level Executive System.

The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer. All who meet the eligibility requirements are 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 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.

The selected applicant will be required to file a financial disclosure statement with the House of Representatives, U.S. Congress, in accordance with the provisions of Public Law 95-521, the Ethics in Government Act of 1978.

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.

For more information regarding eligibility requirements, please see the Library of Congress Merit Selection Plan, Section 8.5, at: Senior Level Merit Selection Plan.