Folklife Specialist (Research and Programs)

Job Details

Qualifications & Requirements

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 folklife, ethnomusicology, ethnographic research, public programming, and/or related fields. ** Ability to support and contribute to professional services for the American Folklife Center's research and programming activities. ** Familiarity with principles or practices supporting public programming in the cultural heritage sector. ** Ability to produce informational and interpretive materials on activities or collections. Ability to support education programs and training. Ability to plan and execute work. Ability to communicate in writing. Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.

Position Overview

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.