Duties

Summary

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade Division is accepting applications under its 2021 Graduate Recruit Program for an Analyst in Foreign Policy. This position will be filled at the GS-09 or GS-11 level (see "Duties" below).

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

About the Graduate Recruit Program:

Initial appointments under the Graduate Recruit Program will be made for a period up to 120 days. Initial appointments are expected to convert to permanent, contingent upon the participant's successful performance, completion of all degree requirements, and availability of funding. Those students who return to school to complete their advanced degree program may be eligible for a permanent position once they obtain their degree.

About 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 shared staff to congressional committees and Members of Congress, CRS experts assist at every stage of the legislative process-from the early considerations that precede bill drafting, through committee hearings and floor debate, to the oversight of enacted laws and various agency activities.

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.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
15

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

See QUALIFICATIONS REQURED below.

Qualifications

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade (FDT) Division is seeking an Analyst in Foreign Policy to work on a broad range of foreign policy issues. Potential focus areas include sanctions, coordination between the U.S. Departments of State and Defense and corresponding U.S. foreign policy and legislative responses and tools. The Analyst in Foreign Policy will perform objective, non-partisan, and confidential research and writing for Members of Congress, congressional committees and their staff, in conjunction with colleagues in the Foreign Policy Management and Global Issues (FP) section and across the FDT Division. The position requires flexibility in terms of scope and range of work assignments.

DUTIES FOR THIS POSITION INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

The analyst will provide objective, authoritative public policy analysis and consultation to congressional committees, Members, and staff. Work will include preparing objective, non-partisan, analytical studies and descriptive and background reports on public policy issues of national significance; providing briefings and consultations to congressional clients on public policy issues throughout the legislative process; and participating in multi-disciplinary CRS team research projects and seminars. Work will include opportunities for interaction with executive branch agencies, and other public policy and non-governmental institutions. The analyst is also expected to develop over time the skills necessary to provide legislative analysis and consultation to congressional committees, Members, and staff at increasingly sophisticated levels and on an increasingly broad set of public policy issues.

The analyst position carries promotion potential to the GS-15 level.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Who may be considered:

Graduate students and Library of Congress employees who meet all of the following eligibility requirements:

U.S. Citizenship

Current enrollment in or anticipated graduation from an appropriate, accredited advanced degree program. (Library employees who already possess a graduate degree and maintain Library employment status without a break in service may be considered for appointment under the CRS Graduate Recruit Program).

General education requirements for a GS-09 or GS-11 appointments (see table below).

GS-09 Grade Level

GS-11 Grade Level

Two years of progressively higher level appropriate graduate education leading to a Master's degree, OR

Master's or equivalent graduate degree, OR

One year of specialized experience at the GS-07 grade level in the federal service or at a comparable level of difficulty outside the federal service.

Three years of progressively higher appropriate graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree, OR

A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, OR

One year of specialized experience at the GS-09 grade level in the federal service or at a comparable level of difficulty outside the federal service.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, AND ABILITY REQUIREMENTS:

The critical knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs), gained through education, experience and/or training, needed to

successfully perform the duties of the position:

GS-09 Grade Level

GS-11 Grade Level

Knowledge of Foreign Policy**

To provide objective background information and limited public policy analysis on foreign affairs issues, for Members, committees, and staff of the U.S. Congress.

Knowledge of Foreign Policy**

To provide objective, in-depth public policy analysis and background information on foreign affairs issues and legislation, including those related to sanctions, for Members and committees of the U.S. Congress.

Ability to Design and Utilize Research and Analytical Methods and Techniques**

To assemble, analyze, and interpret information to identify and evaluate public policy issues and options.

Ability to Design and Utilize Research and Analytical Methods and Techniques**

To research, analyze and synthesize complex information and evaluate implications of various policy alternatives.

Ability to Write on Issues Related to Foreign Policy**

To write descriptive and background reports, memoranda, and other documents with limited analysis for Congress.

Ability to Write on Issues Related to Foreign Policy**

To write analytical and descriptive reports, memoranda, and other products supported by appropriate background research for Congress.

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. This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.

The appointment tenure for this position is full-time temporary with the expectation of subsequent conversion to permanent; flexible work schedules may be available. The position description number for this vacancy announcement is 004745 (GS-09) and 004746, (GS-11). 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. Applicants who are referred for an interview will be required to submit a completed Form 1862 Library of Congress Applicant Data Form/Reference Form.

Those Graduate Recruit Program participants who are converted from a temporary appointment to a permanent position, and who have not yet completed the one-year probationary period required of all new Library employees, will be required to do so. Time served in the temporary appointment will not count toward completion of this one-year probationary period requirement.

CRS staff not placed in a permanent position under the Graduate Recruit Program will return to the position occupied before entering the program or a position of similar grade and duties without loss of federal service tenure or seniority. Before applying, other Library of Congress employees should consult their supervisor or service unit management regarding the status of their position should they be selected for the program but not placed in a permanent position.

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

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 Carmen Reese at CRSGraduateRecruit@crs.loc.gov or (202) 707-6275. The decision on granting reasonable accommodations will be made on a case-by-case basis.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

Completed application packages will be forwarded to a panel of CRS staff that will first assess applicants against basic eligibility and general education requirements of the position. An evaluation panel will then assess the degree to which candidates meet the critical knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) required to perform the duties of the position and offer the better qualified candidates an opportunity for an interview in person, by telephone or by other telecommunications means. In addition to the critical KSAs listed above, the following competencies will also be addressed during the interview:

• 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

A complete applicant package will require applicants to provide responses to a vacancy questionnaire, which includes mandatory submission of a Candidate Statement of Interest. Finalists may be required to submit a writing sample related to their academic discipline.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

It is recommended that you review your application to ensure it contains the following items:

• Resume (uploaded through USAJobs.gov)
• Completed vacancy questionnaire
• Graduate transcripts or a self-prepared course list (attachment to application)

Note: the "Documents" section of the application may request that you attach Form 1862 Library of Congress Applicant Data Form/Reference Form. You may choose to upload this form as part of your application or submit it at the time of interview. Incomplete applications will not be referred to interview officials and will be disqualified from further consideration.

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.