Summary This position is located in the Government and Finance Division, Congressional Research Service. This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position. The position description number for this position is 004746. The incumbent for this position will work a flexitime or compflex work schedule. The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area. Relocation expenses will not be reimbursed Responsibilities The primary purpose of this position is to serve the United States Congress as a public policy analyst by locating and interpreting factual information; conducting research; preparing objective, non-partisan descriptive, background, and analytical reports; 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. Typically, such knowledge would be gained through extended graduate study, or experience and professional development activities equivalent to such study in a professional field, coupled with the skill to apply this knowledge to public policy issues. Knowledge and skill at this level must include: 1. A perception of opposing views and biases within the profession; 2. The ability to use judgment in the presentation of options that represent divergent views and describe the possible consequences of adopting such options; and 3. The differences between this level and Level 1-6 include broader comprehension of the field of knowledge, a demonstrated understanding of divergent concepts within the profession, and proficiency in research methodology. Assignments are made by the supervisor or a senior policy analyst, who provides general direction as to objectives, priorities, and deadlines and gives assistance in unusual situations which do not have clear precedents. The analyst independently plans and carries out assignments in accordance with general directions, agency policies, previous training, or accepted professional practices. As appropriate, products are reviewed for accuracy, responsiveness, appropriate organization of material, and conformance with agency policy. Procedures for performing the work are established and some specific guides are available. Guides are not completely applicable to many work situations. Typically, the analyst is thoroughly familiar with the guidelines that apply to routine work situations and also is becoming adept at interpreting and applying guidelines and precedents in non-routine situations without referring questions to others. The work assigned typically has aspects of sensitivity which require more mature judgment regarding the implications of choices of methodology. Assignments require the use of a variety of unrelated analytical methods and techniques of a professional field or discipline. The analyst typically: (1) selects, organizes, and presents information, identifies bias, analyzes interrelationships, and presents and evaluates policy options; (2) deals with unusual circumstances (e.g., under rigid deadlines, often works with voluminous and/or incomplete and conflicting information and data), chooses from among various analytical methods depending on the @type of data and the nature of the task, and identifies and defines unclear issues; and (3) decides on form, content, scope, and depth of response and interprets and presents balanced findings. The purpose of the work is to provide authoritative information on, and analysis of, public policy questions or legislative proposals, and to summarize alternatives for consideration by policy makers. The work product or service (e.g., analytical reports, written and oral correspondence) aids the policy making activity of the Congress by defining the impacts of the various alternatives to a given problem or proposal. Personal contacts are with analysts and specialists within the Service, with staffs of Members and committees of Congress, with program directors in Executive,Legislative, or Judicial Branch organizations, with members of trade associations and public interest groups, or with state and local government officials. Contacts may be initiated by the analyst, the person requesting information and/or assistance, or another party, and frequently involve unstructured face-to-face meetings. Some contacts with specific Member or committee staffs are frequent and recurring since the analyst frequently functions in a liaison capacity with such offices. The purpose of the contact is to summarize, interpret, and relate information on difficult or misunderstood public policy questions; to present alternative approaches to policy questions to congressional staffs with differing viewpoints and goals; to inform congressional offices of the analytical capabilities of the policy analyst's organization as they relate to various projects and issues; and to establish working relationships with program officials or policy analysis staffs in other agencies and other branches of the Federal Government. The establishment of contacts is frequently an important aspect of the work at this level and requires tact and negotiating skills. The work is sedentary. No special physical effort or ability is required to perform the work. The work is performed in a typical office setting. 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. Knowledge of public economics with an emphasis on federal tax administration and enforcement, individual income taxation, or tax expenditures. Ability to analyze public policy issues. Ability to write in a public policy @context.** Ability to convey analysis and information orally through briefings, consultations, and other presentations. Ability to work collaboratively with others. Ability to exercise objectivity in all phases of analysis and consultation. Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing. Education 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 at step one of the grade. The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants must submit a complete application package that is received by the closing date of this announcement. Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation. For more information, please see: Vetting Process 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 Equal Employment Opportunity 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. The Library reserves the right to fill a lesser or greater number of vacancies indicated during the life of this vacancy announcement. Initial permanent appointments to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period. Probationary periods served at other Federal agencies do not count toward this requirement. 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.
