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Summary The Congressional Research Service (CRS) seeks an Analyst in Social Policy to join its Domestic Social Policy Division (DSP). Applicants should have knowledge and experience in conducting analysis of social policies and programs. Strong research, writing, and presentation skills and the ability to work as part of a collaborative team and to be responsive under time pressure are essential for success in this position. Responsibilities The ideal candidate will have substantive knowledge of public policy issues related to social policy, and considerable skill in working with data, programming, and the development of analytical tools and models. The ability to use quantitative analysis software for the analysis of varied types of data is an important element of this job. The ability to critically examine the efficacy of public policies and to contribute to research that will simulate the effects of changes to the design of programs and benefits are also important elements of this position. The work often requires rapid response to emerging policy issues during all phases of the legislative process. Given the breadth of social policy issues DSP covers for Congress, analysts must be capable of working on a range of issues in a policy portfolio that will likely evolve over time. Analyst duties include preparing objective, non-partisan analytical studies and descriptive background reports on issues of national significance; providing personal consultation and assistance to congressional committees, Members, and staff on public policy issues throughout the legislative process; and participating in team research projects and seminars. The employee is also expected to develop over time the skills necessary to provide public policy and legislative analysis and consultation to congressional committees, Members, and staff at increasingly sophisticated levels. CRS works exclusively for the United States Congress, providing policy and legal analysis 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 more than a century. CRS is well known for analysis that is 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. DUTIES Prepares a variety of analytical reports, memoranda, and written materials on public policy issues and subjects within the employee’s area of professional knowledge to support congressional decision-making. Prepares a variety of descriptive and background reports, memoranda, and written materials on public policy issues and subjects within the employee’s area of professional knowledge to support congressional understanding of policy issues. Through personal consultation, assists committees, Members, and staff with consideration of legislative issues by providing information and analysis, and applying professional subject-area knowledge. Participates in CRS seminars, workshops, and/or outreach programs for committees, Members, and staff. Locates and provides information requested by Members and committees of Congress or their staff. Requirements 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. • Knowledge of social policies and analytical approaches for examining social policies ** • Ability to analyze public policy issues** • Ability to write in a public policy context** • Ability to design and utilize research and analytical methods and techniques** • Ability to convey analysis and information orally through briefings, consultations and other presentations • Ability to exercise objectivity in all phases of analysis and consultation • Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing Education Degree: behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of education and experience that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. OR Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. You must submit a legible copy of your college/university transcripts to your online application. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at the time of application. Official transcripts will be required if selected. Failure to submit the required legible documentation at the time of application will result in disqualification of your application. Foreign Education – Education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed equivalent to conventional/accredited U.S. education programs to be acceptable for Federal employment. If your college/university is outside the U.S., your transcripts must be accompanied by a report from a credential evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE). Failure to submit a foreign education evaluation report will result in disqualification of your application. 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 004746. The incumbent of this position is eligible to work a flexitime 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. 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 and/or contact the Library's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity Programs 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.