Summary
The Library of Congress shares its vast collections of books, manuscripts, photographs, maps, audiovisual materials, and priceless artifacts to cultivate curiosity and spark imagination. We engage, inspire, and inform Congress and the American people with a universal and enduring source of knowledge and creativity. We seek highly talented professionals to join a vibrant and collaborative community. Your work here will have lasting impact on the Library and its users well into the future.
Duties
The Folklife Specialist (Research and Programs) position is located in Researcher and Collections Services (RCS), of the Special Collections Directorate (SCD) in the American Folklife Center (AFC) at the Library of Congress. Pursuant to Public Law 94-201, the American Folklife Center was created in 1976 by the U.S. Congress to “preserve and present” American folklife through programs of research, documentation, archival preservation, reference service, live performance, exhibition, publication, and training. The purpose of the position is to support professional services for the Center's public programming activities as part of a team; contribute significantly to the planning and coordination of research-based educational resources and interpretive materials; support the development of AFC archival collections; and represent the Center within and outside the Library on matters of folklife, ethnomusicology, ethnographic research, and oral history. As the Folklife Specialist (Research and Programs), you will: Support the planning and coordination of a range of public programs under the guidance of the supervisor, Head of Research and Programs, such as performances, lectures, exhibitions, and interpretive programs, including goals and objectives, development of management plans, and the scheduling of public programs. Contribute to materials across multiple media that draw on expertise in the fields of folklore, ethnomusicology, oral history, and related cultural heritage disciplines. Materials may include written articles, lectures, blog posts, publicity/press releases, and social media communications, as well as the development of content for various digital platforms. Prepare and contribute to policy and division reports as required. Assist with Center folklife and ethnomusicological research projects in the Library of Congress and in other research libraries and ethnographic archives. Aid with professional services and information resources in various media for that the Center provides to cultural heritage fields, including folklife, ethnomusicology, and oral history. Contribute to Center field research and documentation projects when applicable, using standard interviewing and documentary techniques and equipment. Help with timelines, product development, staffing, and publicity for American Folklife Center initiatives involving public programming and researcher development or support as required. Represent the Center within the Library on matters of folklife, ethnomusicology, ethnographic research, and public programming; stay abreast of the latest research and publications in these fields; make and maintain professional contacts (both within and outside the Library); and travel outside the Library to work with collaborators to further Center objectives. Provide reference services for complex research projects and issues associated with the American Folklife Center's archival collections on folklife, ethnomusicology, and documentary media. Duties include surveying and evaluating the Library's collections relating to these areas; addressing complex reference inquiries; and planning and developing public information resources in various media concerning Center research and programming activities and archival resources. Aid in providing resources to support AFC educational programming development and works with other units and programs as needed (inside and outside of the Library). Stay abreast of trends in the archival field. Provide subject expertise and conducts research, as needed to help inform collection acquisition decisions. Assist archives staff to provide curatorial expertise and other support as assigned related to collections processing and access efforts. Perform other duties as assigned. The position description number for this position is 470679. The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area. The incumbent of this position will work a Flexitime work schedule. This is a non-supervisory, 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.
How you will be evaluated
The Library of Congress evaluates applicants through an applicant questionnaire and a structured interview. Applicants may also be screened for some jobs through licensing, certification, and/or education requirements, a narrative/application review, and/or a preliminary telephone interview. The knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that are marked with a double asterisk (**) in the vacancy announcement and the applicant questionnaire are considered the most critical for a position. To be considered for final selection, applicants must demonstrate fully acceptable experience in these designated KSAs in the narrative/application review, preliminary telephone and/or full structured interview. The various assessment tools listed above are designed to verify or explore applicants' experience, knowledge, and training directly related to the job in order to identify the best qualified applicants for selection. You may preview questions for this vacancy.