Foreign Service Information Resource Officer – US Department of State


VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT: United States Department of State
How to Apply
An Equal Opportunity Employer

Announcement Number: IRO-2012-0001
Position Title: Foreign Service Information Resource Officer
Open Period: 05/23/2012 to 07/06/2012
Series/Grade: FP-03 Salary: $65,413 – $96,061
Promotion Potential: FP-01
Duty Locations: Vacancies Throughout the World

For more information, see: http://careers.state.gov/specialist/vacancy-announcements/iro

Major Duties

Foreign Service IROs provide professional leadership and support to 182 IRCs located at U.S. embassies and consulates around the world, and to the 475 Locally Employed Staff who operate them. They also support approximately 600 partnerships with local institutions around the world that host American Corners and Binational Centers. Through extensive travel within the assigned region, IROs provide professional direction and guidance to Information Resource Centers by:

  • Performing advisory functions for International Information Programs (IIP) and Washington-based Offices including providing feedback through written reports and briefings; advising on overseas program environments; monitoring trends and developments within the workplace; reporting on the impact of IIP products; and filing reports in accordance with Bureau-approved guidelines.
  • Developing new products and services for International Information Programs (IIP) and Washington-based Offices including conceptualizing and proposing new program ideas and operational procedures; serving as a member of product development teams; and testing and evaluating new commercial products for use in Information Resource Centers.
  • Performing administration for International Information Programs (IIP) and Washington-based Offices functions including managing fiscal resources; maintaining currency of centralized databases; explaining IIP policies and procedures; identifying sources of funding; promoting accountability with IIP and Department reporting requirements; and assuring compliance of software use.
  • Performing advocacy and marketing functions for International Information Programs (IIP) and Washington-based Offices including marketing IIP products and services through presentations and briefings; promoting awareness of Information Resource Centers; optimizing use of Bureau products through informing others; and liaising with American library and information communities.
  • Engaging with public affairs officials for Overseas Posts, Information Resource Centers, American Corners, and Bi-national Centers Assigned to IRO Portfolio including participating in the Public Affairs Program; conducting official travel to assigned posts; providing specialized expertise to maximize the impact of the Information Resource Center; trouble-shooting problems on behalf of post personnel; and promoting institutional linkages by networking among local and American library and information institutions.
  • Managing the Information Resource Center for Overseas Posts, Information Resource Centers, American Corners, and Bi-national Centers Assigned to IRO Portfolio including developing the annual Information Resource Center (IRC) plan, providing specialist management expertise on IRC topics, researching local information infrastructure by networking and evaluating sources; evaluating IRC collections; and advising on library practices and standards.
  • Overseeing Locally Employed (LE) Staff for Overseas Posts, Information Resource Centers, American Corners, and Bi-national Centers Assigned to IRO Portfolio including training staff; conducting needs assessments for professional development; hosting regional and topical conferences; writing position descriptions; participating in staff recruitment; and building professional communities.
  • Providing program oversight for Overseas Posts, Information Resource Centers, American Corners, and Bi-national Centers Assigned to IRO Portfolio including promoting best practices in Information Resource Center (IRC) programs; conducting outreach to local library and information professionals; developing collection resources; overseeing IRC programs; advising staff on information management principles and processes; recruiting candidates for US Government cultural and educational exchange programs in library and information sciences; promoting the use of new technologies; advising on copyright compliance; and negotiating the purchase and licensing of information products.
  • Working with American Corners for Overseas Posts, Information Resource Centers, American Corners, and Bi-national Centers assigned to IRO Portfolio including advising on viability of partnerships; clearing Memoranda of Understanding for American Corner partnerships; reviewing the quality of services provided; developing American Corner collection resources; participating in American Corner programming; promoting best practices for American Corners; and training American Corner staff.

Qualifications:

In addition to the general requirements for employment in the Foreign Service, an applicant must have an M.L.S. (Master’s in Library and Information Science) from an American Library Association-accredited graduate program and at least four years of progressively responsible experience in library or information center programs or services, with in-depth experience in functional areas relevant to the State Department’s Information Resource Center program. Knowledge of and experience in the use of current information technologies are essential as U.S. Mission Information Resource Centers operate in an electronic environment.

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal job requirements for this position if the applicant can show that foreign education is comparable to education received in the United States. It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide such evidence when applying for Federal jobs. To view how foreign education is evaluated for federal jobs please http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/policy/ApplicationOfStds-04.asp.