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NARA seeks Assistant Archivist for Regional Records Services



VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
National Archives and Records Administration

VACANCY No.:    SES01-01
OPEN DATE:      2-21-01
CLOSING DATE:   4-23-01

Senior Executive Service Position

Position: Assistant Archivist for Regional Records Services

Organization: National Archives and Records Administration, Office of Regional 
Records Services 

Duty Station: College Park, MD (relocation expenses will be paid)

Area of Consideration: All qualified applicants 

Salary: $120,261 - 133,700 (includes locality adjustment)

NARA's Mission:  The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), an 
independent Federal agency, is at the forefront in fields from document 
preservation to electronic records.  Exciting developments in these fields, 
along with NARA's growing leadership in information technologies, make it a 
vital and interesting place to work.  By ensuring ready access to essential 
evidence - documentation from all three branches of the Federal Government 
of the rights and entitlements of citizens, the actions for which Federal 
officials are accountable, and the national experience - NARA is uniquely 
important in a democratic system that depends upon the preservation and 
availability of such documentation. 

At more than thirty sites across the country - regional archives and records 
services facilities, Presidential libraries, and three major buildings in the 
Washington, DC, area - NARA safeguards and makes available millions of records 
in a variety of media ranging from our Declaration of Independence and 
Constitution to a rapidly increasing number of modern electronic files.  NARA 
each year welcomes to its exhibits nearly two million visitors and serves the 
needs of thousands of researchers.  NARA assists Federal agencies in documenting 
their activities; publishes the Federal Register and other official documents; 
oversees Federal declassification policies; and makes grants supporting 
initiatives to document American history.  

About us:  The headquarters site for the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA) is a new, state-of-the-art building in suburban Maryland.  
Adjoining the campus of the University of Maryland, NARA's building is 
located in a wooded area that offers both beauty and privacy yet has convenient 
access to urban amenities and to the Beltway.  Pleasant working conditions, the 
latest in equipment, a full-service cafeteria, a fitness center, free parking, 
a jogging path, a childcare center - NARA's building has the kinds of features 
that attract new employees today. 

Major Duties: 
- Serves as head of the Office of Regional Records Services, which includes a 
central office staff in College Park, MD; nine regions across the country; and 
the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, MO.  Each region includes 
one or more records services facilities - regional archives, records centers, or 
a combined facility and has operational records management, records center 
storage, and archives programs.  

- Directs comprehensive programs for the appraisal, accessioning, storage, 
servicing, and disposal of Federal records of agencies outside the Washington, 
DC area.

- Develops and maintains relationships with U.S. District and Appeals Courts and 
with field offices of executive agencies to improve records management practices 
and promote targeted assistance. 

- Implements policies and procedures for the efficient and economical operation 
of facilities for the storage and servicing of records. Allocates and manages 
records storage space for all Federal records outside the Washington, DC area. 
Oversees business process improvement or reengineering projects to improve 
management efficiency and customer service.

- NARA's records center program is funded by reimbursement from other Federal 
agencies. Negotiates agreements to provide reimbursable services on a nationwide 
basis or to multiple field locations.

- Develops and implements programs and standards for affiliated archives, 
negotiates agreements for the deposit of records in the legal custody of NARA 
with public or educational institutions or associations, and oversees 
inspections of such records.

- Plans and directs outreach and exhibit programs to publicize the office's 
resources and services.

- Supervises a staff of more than 1,300 archivists, archives specialists and 
technicians, and support personnel located throughout the United States. 

- Ensures that staffing, financial, and other resources are effectively used to 
maximize productivity. Collaborates with other NARA officials to ensure that 
information technology, human resources, facilities management and other 
services are used effectively.

- This position requires frequent travel to regional facilities throughout the 
United States.

Qualifications Required: Entry into the Senior Executive Service (SES) requires 
demonstrated executive experience in all five of the Executive Core 
Qualifications (ECQ) listed below.  Applicants must also meet the 
professional/technical qualifications.  Experience must be at a level of 
difficulty and responsibility comparable to the GS-15 level in the Federal 
service.  

If you are selected for initial appointment to the SES, your qualifications must 
be certified by a Qualifications Review Board (QRB) at the Office of Personnel 
Management.  The QRB will review your ECQs to ensure you meet the qualifications 
for entry into the SES.  

This position is critical-sensitive. You may be required to undergo a background 
investigation before appointment.

You must complete a 1-year probationary period if you have not previously 
completed a probationary appointment in the SES.  

How to apply:  Please provide the following:

- A resume, Optional Form 612, "Optional Application for Federal Employment", 
Standard Form 171, "Application for Federal Employment", or any other format.  
Your application should thoroughly describe experience, education and 
accomplishments that show your qualifications for this position.  For each 
period of experience, include: dates covered; name and address of employer; 
supervisor's name and telephone number; grade or salary level; and number 
of employees supervised.  

- A narrative statement that describes your experience, education, and 
accomplishments as they relate to (1) each of the Executive Core Qualifications, 
and (2) the professional/technical qualifications.  Clear, concise examples that 
show the level of accomplishment and degree of responsibility should be provided 
for each factor.  Additional information on the SES and how to address 
qualifications can be found on the following web site: 
http://www.opm.gov/ses/index.html 

If you are currently on a career SES appointment you are not required to submit 
a narrative ECQ statement.  If you are a graduate of an OPM approved SES 
Candidate Development Program you should submit evidence that you completed the 
program in lieu of a narrative ECQ statement.  

Send your application to:

National Archives at College Park
Human Resources Services Division (NHH)
8601 Adelphi Road
College Park, MD 20740-6001

Applications must be received or post-marked by the closing date.

For additional information, call (301) 713-6760. 

PROFESSIONAL/TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS:

1.  Program management -- Demonstrated knowledge of and professional experience 
in applying the principles, concepts, practices, and methods of program 
management in more than one of the following areas: records management, 
archival administration, records center operations, or operation of a 
reimbursable or fee-for-service program.

2.  Business Management -- Demonstrated knowledge of management principles to 
plan, organize, direct, implement, evaluate, and lead diverse teams comprised of 
technical and administrative personnel.  Ability to achieve desired results 
through effective management of the fiscal, budgetary, and human resources of a 
highly complex program of broad scope; to envision desired program outcomes; and 
anticipate and proactively adapt to changing business conditions.

3.  Customer service -- Demonstrated ability to develop, establish, and sustain 
a customer service program tailored to customer needs and achieve a high level 
of customer satisfaction.  Ability to direct a customer service program, target 
customers, design programs and services to meet customer needs, work effectively 
with customers, and oversee program operations.

4.  Communications -- Demonstrated ability to serve as spokesperson for an 
organization and to effectively communicate both orally and in writing to staff, 
management officials, and customers.  Ability to network with a broad 
and diverse constituency of individuals with conflicting agendas and to develop 
alliances with external groups such as other Federal agencies, professional 
organizations, and competitors.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS:

1.  Leading Change -- The ability to develop and implement an organizational 
vision which integrates key national and program goals, priorities, values, and 
other factors. Inherent to it is the ability to balance change and continuity--
to continually strive to improve customer service and program performance within 
the basic Government framework, to create a work environment that encourages 
creative thinking, and to maintain focus, intensity and persistence, even under 
adversity.

Key Characteristics:
a.      Exercising leadership and motivating managers to incorporate vision, 
strategic planning, and elements of quality management into the full range of 
the organization's activities; encouraging creative thinking and innovation; 
influencing others toward a spirit of service; designing and implementing new or 
cutting edge programs/processes.
b.      Identifying and integrating key issues affecting the organization, 
including political, economic, social, technological, and administrative 
factors.
c.      Understanding the roles and relationships of the components of the 
national policy making and implementation process, including the President, 
political appointees, Congress, the judiciary, state and local governments, and 
interest groups; and formulating effective strategies to balance those interests 
consistent with the business of the organization.
d.      Being open to change and new information; tolerating ambiguity; adapting 
behavior and work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, 
or unexpected obstacles; adjusting rapidly to new situations warranting 
attention and resolution.
e.      Displaying a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment to public 
service; being proactive and achievement-oriented; being self-motivated; 
pursuing self-development; seeking feedback from others and opportunities to 
master new knowledge. 
f.      Dealing effectively with pressure; maintaining focus and intensity and 
remaining persistent, even under adversity; recovering quickly from setbacks.

2.  Leading People -- The ability to design and implement strategies which 
maximize employee potential and foster high ethical standards in meeting the 
organization's vision, mission, and goals. 

Key Characteristics:
a.      Providing leadership in setting the workforce's expected performance 
levels commensurate with the organization's strategic objectives; inspiring, 
motivating, and guiding others toward goal accomplishment; empowering people by 
sharing power and authority.
b.      Promoting quality through effective use of the organization's performance 
management system (e.g., establishing performance standards, appraising staff 
accomplishments using the developed standards, and taking action to reward, 
counsel, or remove employees, as appropriate).
c.      Valuing cultural diversity and other differences; fostering an environment 
where people  who are culturally diverse can work together cooperatively and 
effectively in achieving organizational goals.
d.      Assessing employees' unique developmental needs and providing 
developmental opportunities which maximize employees' capabilities and 
contribute to the achievement of organizational goals; developing leadership in 
others through coaching and mentoring.
e.      Fostering commitment, team spirit, pride, trust, and group identity; 
taking steps to prevent situations that could result in unpleasant 
confrontations.
f.      Resolving conflicts in a positive and constructive manner; this includes 
promoting labor/management partnerships and dealing effectively with employee 
relations  matters, attending to morale and organizational climate issues, 
handling administrative, labor management, and EEO issues, and taking 
disciplinary actions when other means have not been successful.

3.  Results Driven -- This core qualification stresses accountability and 
continuous improvement. It includes the ability to make timely and effective 
decisions and produce results through strategic planning and the implementation 
and evaluation of programs and policies.

Key Characteristics:
a.      Understanding and appropriately applying procedures, requirements, 
regulations, and policies related to specialized expertise; understanding 
linkages between administrative competencies and mission needs; keeping current 
on issues, practices, and procedures in technical areas.
b.      Stressing results by formulating strategic program plans which assess 
policy/program feasibility and include realistic short- and long-term goals and 
objectives. 
c.      Exercising good judgment in structuring and organizing work and setting 
priorities; balancing the interests of clients and readily readjusting 
priorities to respond to customer demands.
d.      Anticipating and identifying, diagnosing, and consulting on potential or 
actual problem areas relating to program implementation and goal achievement; 
selecting from alternative courses of corrective action, and taking action from 
developed contingency plans.
e.      Setting program standards; holding self and others accountable for 
achieving these standards; acting decisively to modify them to promote customer 
service and/or the quality of programs and policies. 
f.      Identifying opportunities to develop and market new products and services 
within or outside of the organization; taking risks to pursue a recognized 
benefit or advantage.

4.  Business Acumen -- The ability to acquire and administer human, financial, 
material, and information resources in a manner which instills public trust and 
accomplishes the organization's mission, and to use new technology to enhance 
decision making.

Key Characteristics:
a.      Assessing current and future staffing needs based on organizational goals 
and budget realities. Applying merit principles to develop, select, and manage a 
diverse workforce.
b.      Overseeing the allocation of financial resources; identifying cost-
effective approaches; establishing and assuring the use of internal controls for 
financial systems.
c.      Managing the budgetary process, including preparing and justifying a 
budget and operating the budget under organizational and Congressional 
procedures; understanding the marketing expertise necessary to ensure 
appropriate funding levels.
d.      Overseeing procurement and contracting procedures and processes.
e.      Integrating and coordinating logistical operations
f.      Ensuring the efficient and cost-effective development and utilization of 
management information systems and other technological resources that meet the 
organization's needs; understanding the impact of technological changes on the 
organization.

5.  Building Coalitions/Communication -- The ability to explain, advocate and 
express facts and ideas in a convincing manner, and negotiate with individuals 
and groups internally and externally. It also involves the ability to develop an 
expansive professional network with other organizations, and to identify the 
internal and external politics that impact the work of the organization.

Key Characteristics:
a.      Representing and speaking for the organizational unit and its work (e.g., 
presenting, explaining, selling, defining, and negotiating) to those within and 
outside the office (e.g., agency heads and other Government executives; 
corporate executives; Office of Management and Budget officials; Congressional 
members and staff; the media; clientele and professional groups); making clear 
and convincing oral presentations to individuals and groups; listening 
effectively and clarifying information; facilitating an open exchange of ideas.
b.      Establishing and maintaining working relationships with internal 
organizational units (e.g., other program areas and staff support functions); 
approaching each problem  situation with a clear perception of organizational 
and political reality; using contacts to build and strengthen internal support 
bases; getting understanding and support from higher level management.
c.      Developing and enhancing alliances with external groups (e.g., other 
agencies or firms,  state and local governments, Congress, and clientele 
groups); engaging in cross-functional activities; finding common ground with a 
widening range of stakeholders.
d.      Working in groups and teams; conducting briefings and other meetings; 
gaining cooperation from others to obtain information and accomplish goals; 
facilitating "win-win" situations.
e.      Considering and responding appropriately to the needs, feelings, and 
capabilities of different people in different situations; is tactful and treats 
others with respect.
f.      Seeing that reports, memoranda, and other documents reflect the position 
and work of the organization in a clear, convincing, and organized manner.




                                                                    

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