Summary This position is located in the Congressional Research Service (CRS), Office of the Counselor to the Director (COU). The position description number for this position is 312278. The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area. This is a supervisory, non-bargaining unit position. Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement. Responsibilities Office of the Counselor to the Director (COU) is seeking a Supervisory Congressional Relations Specialist to join the Congressional Services Section. This Section manages the intake, assignment, and tracking of daily requests from Members, congressional committees, and their staff. The Section conducts outreach activities and briefings on CRS services to congressional clients and manages the internal request management system. Directly supervises up to 10 congressional relations specialists working in the Congressional Services Section and one administrative support assistant. Ensures staff follow appropriate policies and procedures and apply the highest standards of client service and responsiveness when taking in congressional requests. Reviews the assignment and content of congressional requests for research, analysis, and information, and communicates issues or problems with requests to appropriate Section staff and managers. Monitors and provides advice on the performance of CRS's call management system, client relationship management system, and other mission-critical technologies. Oversees the first line of troubleshooting for congressional clients using new features on CRS's website. Conducts periodic and comprehensive evaluations of ongoing functions to ensure the Section meets its stated goals; identifies areas where operational efficiency can be enhanced and makes recommendations for improvements. Directs the capture, reporting, and analysis of statistical data relating to the Section's operations and directs or personally performs special studies regarding this data. Represents the Section on a wide range of committees, workgroups, and task forces, including interdivisional teams, and assists with outreach activities and orientations for CRS services. Drawing on his/her knowledge of the U.S. Congress, its legislative processes, and current public policy issues, the Supervisory Congressional Relations Specialist reviews the assignment, content, and policy implications of congressional requests for research and analysis. Communicates issues or problems with requests to appropriate Section staff and managers; negotiates with Members of Congress and other congressional staff to resolve disposition of requests; ensures Section staff follow appropriate policies and procedures and apply the highest standards of client service and responsiveness when taking in congressional requests; monitors and trains clients on CRS's call management system, client relationship management system and other mission-critical technologies; and oversees the first line of troubleshooting for congressional clients using new features on CRS's website. CRS works exclusively for the United States Congress, providing policy and legal analysis to committees and Members of both the House and Senate, regardless of party affiliation. As a legislative branch agency within the Library of Congress, CRS is a valued and respected resource on Capitol Hill. CRS is well known for analysis that is authoritative, confidential, objective and nonpartisan. Its highest priority is to ensure that Congress has immediate access to the nation's best thinking on public policy issues of interest to its Members and Committees. The Congressional Research Service (CRS) is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that ensures the Service is well positioned to anticipate and meet the information and analytical research needs of a 21st-century Congress. Leads staff toward meeting the Library’s and CRS’s vision, mission, and goals by managing performance, communicating effectively, fostering continuous improvement and innovation, building and maintaining relationships, leveraging diversity and inclusiveness, thinking systematically and inspiring change. Exhibits commitment to the Library’s Supervisor Core Competencies. Requirements Conditions of Employment Conditions of Employment The Supervisor leads his/her staff toward meeting the Library’s vision, mission, and goals by acting decisively, leveraging diversity and inclusiveness, demonstrating flexibility and resilience, fostering continuous improvement and innovation, and fostering integrity and honesty. To view the Library’s Supervisory Core Competencies click the following link: https://www.loc.gov/static/portals/careers/documents/loc\_supervisor\_core\_competencies.pdf 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 the U.S. Congress, its legislative processes, and current public policy issues** Ability to lead and manage staff** Ability to manage client relations** Ability to focus on the client** Ability to communicate in writing and review the writing of others Ability to conduct systems analysis and testing 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. 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. For more information, please see: https://www.loc.gov/careers/working-at-the-library/frequently-asked-questions/vetting-personnel-at-the-library/ 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. In addition, per Library of Congress Regulation 2010-12, an appointee or internal selectee is subject to a one-year supervisory probationary period, if this is his/her first supervisory/managerial position at the Library. 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.