Duties

Summary

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade Division (FDT) seeks an Analyst in Asian Trade and Finance to join its International Trade and Finance Section. U.S.-China trade and economic relations and China's economy are primary areas of focus.

Depending upon demonstration of the minimum qualification requirements, this position may be filled in the Social Science Analyst (GS-0101) occupational series or in the Economist (GS-0110) occupational series.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

Applicants should have experience conducting sophisticated analysis of trade and economics in Asia, with a primary focus on China and U.S.-China trade and economic relations, knowledge of the U.S. policymaking process and Congress, and the ability to work as part of a collaborative team. The work can require rapid response to emerging policy issues. The ideal candidate will have a solid background in international trade and economic policy and on China's economy and related policies. Strong research, analytical, writing, and presentation skills are essential, and applicants with an advanced degree in international economics are strongly encouraged to apply. Some expertise in U.S.-Taiwan economic relations is also of interest.

The analyst will prepare authoritative, objective, non-partisan analytical studies and descriptive and background reports and other products that analyze the economic, trade and finance policies of China, the U.S.-China economic relationship, as well as broader Asian trade and finance issues; provide personal consultation and assistance to congressional committees, Members, and staff on such policies throughout the legislative process; and participate in or lead team research projects and seminars.

The analyst is also expected to provide legislative analysis and consultation to congressional committees, Members, and staff. The analyst may support research analyses undertaken throughout CRS.

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.

Specific duties include analyzing current and emerging issues and trends related to U.S.-China trade and economic relations and policies; China's economy, trade and finance practices; and China's role in the global economy and multilateral trade and financial institutions, including the World Trade Organization. U.S.-Taiwan trade and economic relations and Taiwan's economy would also be an area of focus, as well as broader Asian trade and finance issues, especially involving China. The analyst would also evaluate legislative proposals, assess alternative approaches to critical issues, determine whether research questions or issues are amenable to statistical inquiry, and analyze various data, among other responsibilities.

General Analyst duties:

Prepares a variety of analytical reports, memoranda, and written materials on public policy issues 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 subjects or public policy issues within the employee's area of professional knowledge.

Participates in planning, organizing, and coordinating group research efforts.

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.

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 vacancy may be filled in the GS-0101 (social science analyst) or GS-0110 (economist) job series.

The position description numbers for this position are 004749, 004750, 004741 and 004742.

The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area.

The incumbent of this position is eligible elect to work a flexitime or compflex work schedule.

This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.

The tour of duty for this position is full-time.

RELOCATION EXPENSES ARE NOT AUTHORIZED FOR THE PERSON(S) SELECTED UNDER THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - Occasional travel

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
15

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

No additional requirements to those listed above.

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 U.S. trade policy, China's economy, and Asian trade and economic issues**

Ability to analyze public policy issues**

Ability to design and utilize research and analytical methods and techniques**

Ability to write in a public policy context**

Ability to convey analysis and information orally through briefings, consultations and other presentations.

Ability to lead collaborative research tasks. Ability to exercise objectivity in all phases of analysis and consultation.

Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.

Education

Applicants who wish to be considered for the GS-0110 (Economist) or GS-0101 (Social science Analyst) job series MUST SUBMIT to your online application legible copies of transcripts that verify completion of at least one of the following BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

A. Degree in economics that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus;

OR

B. A combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in economics, as shown in A. above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS for: (Social Science Analyst) job series

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

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.

The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities who meet eligibility requirements are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicants must submit a complete application package that is received by the closing date of this announcement.

This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please email ADA@loc.gov. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be determined 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 proof or disability/certification may be issued by the State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of the applicant's college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The letter must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and must be dated within three years of the date of the application. Certification from health care providers are not accepted. For more information contact the Library's Office of EEO/Diversity Programs at 202-707-6024 or email spp@loc.gov. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM.

The Library of Congress is the national library of the United States and is part of the Legislative Branch of the Federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service.

Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation.

The Library reserves the right to fill a lesser or greater number of vacancies indicated during the life of this vacancy announcement.

Appointee must meet eligibility requirements for a Secret clearance.

Initial appointments, permanent or indefinite, to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period.

The Library of Congress may offer repayment for all or part of federally insured student loans. However, not all service units within the Library of Congress participates in the repayment of federally insured student loans. Therefore, determination to repay a federally insured student loan is subject to approval by the appropriate service unit.

A "Not to Exceed" (NTE) status is used to identify an appointment with a specific ending date. However, the Library has the right to separate a NTE employee at any time due to either performance issues or budget constraints.

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 (click here for the form) and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form. If required supporting documentation is not attached, Veterans' Preference will not be considered in the application process.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

The Library of Congress evaluates applicants through an applicant questionnaire and a structured interview. Applicants may also be screened for some jobs through licensing, certification, and/or education requirements, a narrative/application review, and/or a preliminary telephone interview. The knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that are marked with a double asterisk (**) in the vacancy announcement and the applicant questionnaire are considered the most critical for a position. To be considered for final selection, applicants must demonstrate fully acceptable experience in these designated KSAs in the narrative/application review, preliminary telephone and/or full structured interview. The various assessment tools listed above are designed to verify or explore applicants' experience, knowledge, and training directly related to the job in order to identify the best qualified applicants for selection.

For more information regarding eligibility requirements, please see the Library of Congress Merit Selection Plan, Section X.D, at: http://www.loc.gov/hr/employment/msp010909.pdf .

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Secret

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

Current or former federal employees must submit their most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent).

Applicants with disabilities may be considered under special hiring procedures and must submit an appropriate certificate of eligibility when applying for this position. The proof or disability/certification may be issued by the State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of the applicant's college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The letter must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and must be dated within three years of the date of the application. The program does not accept certification from health care providers. For more information contact the Library's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity Programs at 202-707-6024 or email spp@loc.gov. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.