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Summary The Congressional Research Service (CRS) Office of Technology Strategy and Legislative Analysis (TLA) is seeking a Legislative Research Assistant to join its Legislative Analysis Services Section (LASS). TLA is the organization within CRS and the Library of Congress that is mandated to produce legislative information for the United States Congress. This information is considered to be authoritative and objective for both new and amended Federal legislation and is consulted widely by Congress. Responsibilities This position serves as a Legislative Research Assistant in the LASS within TLA. The employee reports to the LASS Head. The employee supports TLA legislative analysts by locating, interpreting, and presenting legislative information; conducting and presenting research; and reviewing authoritative sources to identify legislative data and enter that data into the legislative information management system for subsequent entry into Congress.gov. The employee supports TLA managers and reviewers by verifying the accuracy of legislative information entered into the system and otherwise expediting workflow by helping to ensure that bill summary work is done in priority order and assigned to the correct reviewer. The employee is expected to develop over time the versatility and range of skills necessary to respond to TLA’s shifting needs and priorities, as directed. Duties include: Supports legislative analysts by locating, interpreting, and presenting legislative information orally or in writing to legislative analysts and reviewers; conducting and presenting research findings relating to the legislative history of a bill by reviewing applicable documents, including committee hearing testimony, Congressional Record excerpts, sponsor press releases, and media coverage; reviewing authoritative sources to identify legislative data, such as subject areas, policy terms, bill relationships, and titles; and entering that data into the system for subsequent entry into Congress.gov. Independently or in consultation with a legislative analyst, prepares “markup” documents for use by legislative analysts and reviewers, which provide context for the amendment(s) to existing law(s) and illustrate the changes (additions, deletions, and/or revisions). Identifies, enters, and verifies legislative data such as subject areas, policy area terms, bill relationships, and titles. Utilizes CRS’s bill comparison software and other legislative resources such as internal guidance on the standards and formats to be used for entering this information and/or providing this information to legislative analysts and reviewers. Performs intake tasks and quality control to facilitate bill summary workflow from assignment to publication. In performing intake tasks, the employee ensures the summary is correctly assigned, and when applicable, adds policy area terms, short titles, and related bill links. CRS works exclusively for the United States Congress, providing analysis that is accurate, authoritative, confidential, objective and nonpartisan to committees and Members of both the House and Senate, regardless of party affiliation. As a legislative branch agency within the Library of Congress, CRS has been a valued and respected resource on Capitol Hill for over a century. CRS is well known for analysis that is accurate, authoritative, confidential, objective and nonpartisan. Its highest priority is to ensure that Congress has immediate access to the nation's best thinking on public policy issues of interest to its Members and Committees. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. Qualifications 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. Ability to interpret legislative text and information** Ability to attend to detail** Ability to utilize computer/information technology** Ability to interact collaboratively with others** Ability to adapt Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing Education Additional Information The Congressional Research Service, within the Library of Congress, is part of the Legislative Branch of the federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service. The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustment for the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Although it is the Library's policy to afford the maximum pay benefit to employees when setting rates of pay, a new appointee who has had no previous federal service will generally be paid the minimum step of the grade. This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position. The tour of duty for this position is full-time. The position description number for this position is 366356. The incumbent of this position is eligible to work a flexitime or compflex work schedule. RELOCATION EXPENSES ARE NOT AUTHORIZED FOR THE PERSON(S) SELECTED UNDER THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT. The Library reserves the right to fill a lesser or greater number of vacancies indicated during the life of this vacancy announcement. Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation. Initial appointments, permanent or indefinite, to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period. In addition, per Library of Congress Regulation 2010-12, an appointee is subject to a one-year supervisory probationary period, if this is his/her first supervisory/managerial position at the Library. This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify this agency. The decision on granting reasonable accommodations will be made on a case-by-case basis. Applicants with disabilities may be considered under special hiring procedures and must submit an appropriate certificate of eligibility when applying for this position. The certificate of disability may be issued by a State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of an applicant's college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The date of certification must be within one year of the vacancy closing date and must be submitted with your application. For more information view the directive on the Library's Selective Placement Program or contact them at 202-707-3960 (voice or TTY) or email [email protected]. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM. Are you a veteran? Please indicate the type of Veterans' Preference you are claiming in your application materials and/or applicant profile and provide the appropriate supporting documentation to validate your claim. Those applying for 5-point preference must submit Member Copy 4 of your DD 214. Those applying for 10-point preference must fill out an SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form. For more information regarding eligibility requirements, please see the Library's Merit Selection Plan, Section X.D. IF REQUIRED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION IS NOT ATTACHED, VETERANS' PREFERENCE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED IN THE APPLICATION PROCESS.