Branch Chiefs (Education Services; Information Resources and Services)

Department of Health and Human Services

National Institutes of Health

Office of Research Services

National Institutes of Health Library

Branch Chiefs (Education Services; Information Resources and Services) 

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland, the world’s largest medical research facility, is seeking applications from exceptional candidates for two branch chief positions at the NIH Library (Office of Research Services, Division of Library Services):

• Supervisory Librarian (Chief, Education Services Branch (ESB)) (one vacancy, GS 14)
• Supervisory Librarian (Chief, Information Resources and Services Branch (IRSB)) (one vacancy, GS 14)

If you have experience providing information services, instruction or collection management in a clinical or biomedical research setting and would like to have a leadership role in a dynamic organization, then consider joining the NIH Library team. 

These opportunities will be available on USAJOBS.gov for ten calendar days over the next three weeks. The application period reflects the NIH’s effort to hire talented people quickly. 

Supervisory Librarian (Chief, Education Services Branch) GS-1410-14 announcement dates: 8/24-9/2/2020

Delegated Examining announcement: # NIH-ORS-DE-20-10853625 and link: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/575461400

Merit Promotion announcement: # NIH-ORS-MP-20-10853682 and link: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/575453000  

Supervisory Librarian (Chief, Information Resources and Services Branch) GS-1410-14 announcement: dates 8/24-9/3/2020

Delegated Examining announcement: # NIH-ORS-DE-20-10868329 and link: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/575452300

Merit Promotion announcement: # NIH-ORS-MP-20-10877545 and link: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/575451600 

Note that each of the two branch chief opportunities has two postings on USAJOBS. All applicants, including the general public and current or former federal employees, may apply to the delegating examining (DE) postings. The merit promotion (MP) postings are limited to current or former federal employees, and a limited number of other applicant categories.

Supervisory Librarian (Chief, Education Services Branch)

• Plans, directs and coordinates the work of the Informationist staff, who work with scientists and researchers in selected NIH institutes and centers (ICs) or their branches, labs or offices. Coaches and mentors subordinates and assures that they have the appropriate training and support to work effectively as clinical or biological science research team members.

• Provides technical guidance, leadership and administrative supervision and direction to staff.

• Oversees and supervises the Branch functions. Identifies Branch priorities; develops long-term, mid-term, and short-term goals and objectives, and develops strategies for achieving them. Develops and implements Branch policies and procedures.

• Prepares and submits the Branch’s annual request for equipment, staff, supplies, training or staff development. Prepares statistical reports describing Branch activities, including assessment of progress on goals and objectives for the year.

• Makes recommendations for Library-wide policies, programs and services based on experience and knowledge of the biomedical, research community and its information needs. 

• Develops, monitors and oversees the Informationist program, which provides information services embedded as part of customers’ clinical, research and health policy workflows.

• Promotes good public relations with NIH Library users, interpreting their information needs through various needs assessments, surveys, program evaluations, comments, suggestions, complaints, or recommendations.

• Communicates program changes and issues to internal and external clients.

• Conducts periodic user needs assessments and program evaluations to assure that the information and education services provided meet the needs of NIH and HHS users.

Supervisory Librarian (Chief, Information Resources and Services Branch)

• Plans, directs and coordinates the work of the collection management and custom information solutions staff, who work with scientists and researchers in selected NIH ICs or their branches, labs or offices. Coaches and mentors subordinates and assures that they have the appropriate training and support to work effectively as clinical or biological science research team members.

• Provides technical guidance, leadership and administrative supervision and direction to staff.

• Oversees and supervises the Branch functions. Identifies Branch priorities; develops long-term, mid-term, and short-term goals and objectives, and develops strategies for achieving them. Develops and implements Branch policies and procedures. 

• Prepares and submits the Branch’s annual request for equipment, staff, supplies, training or staff development. Prepares statistical reports describing Branch activities, including assessment of progress on goals and objectives for the year.

• Makes recommendations for Library-wide policies, programs and services based on experience and knowledge of the biomedical research community and its information needs.

• Develops, monitors and oversees the library’s collection management program.

• Provides leadership for the development of databases and websites based on the needs of biomedical researchers.

• Promotes good public relations with NIH Library users, interpreting their information needs through various needs assessments, surveys, program evaluations, comments, suggestions, complaints, or recommendations.

• Communicates program changes and issues to internal and external clients.

• Conducts periodic user needs assessments and program evaluations to assure that the information resources and services provided meet the needs of NIH and HHS users.

For more information on these programs at the NIH Library, visit

https://www.nihlibrary.nih.gov/

A full package of Civil Service benefits is available including retirement, health and life insurance, long-term care insurance, leave, and a 401k equivalent savings plan.

This position is subject to a background investigation.

The NIH is dedicated to building a diverse community in its training and employment programs.

                                    DHHS and NIH are Equal Opportunity Employers