Summary The Congressional Research Service (CRS), Editorial and Review Office (ERO) is seeking a senior level Congressional Research Review Specialist. Responsibilities The Review Office is responsible for the final agency review and approval of all CRS written and recorded research products, including reports, confidential memoranda, congressional testimony, and seminars, briefings, and presentations prepared exclusively for Members of Congress and congressional committees and staff. Each Review Specialist is responsible for reviewing up to two dozen CRS products daily, often under tight deadlines, in response to congressional demands, and in anticipation of pending issues before Congress. The Review Specialist is responsible for reviewing, evaluating, and clearing written and recorded research products prepared by staff within all six CRS research divisions. These products may involve issues addressing constitutional law and other legal matters; domestic social policy; foreign affairs, defense, and trade; federal government operations and finance; and natural resources management, science, and industry. The Review Specialist interacts with CRS research division Assistant Directors and research managers, analysts, legislative attorneys and information professionals to ensure that CRS products meet the organization's strict quality and policy standards for authoritativeness, objectivity, accuracy, and nonpartisanship. The Review Specialist provides advice and guidance to CRS research staff on the preparation of written research work, is responsible for explaining review policies to CRS research staff and managers and recommends or introduces edits or other changes to such products typically via use of common editing software. Reviews, evaluates, and clears written and recorded research products from all CRS divisions, including American Law; Domestic Social Policy; Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade; Government and Finance; Resources, Science, and Industry; and the Knowledge Services Group. Interacts with research product authors and their managers to ensure that products meet the organization's quality and policy standards of authoritativeness, objectivity, impartiality, and nonpartisanship. Provides advice and guidance to CRS research staff on the preparation of written and recorded research work. Participates in the development of CRS review policies. Responsible for explaining review policies to CRS research staff and managers. 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. This is a non-supervisory, non-bargaining unit position. The tour of duty for this position is full-time. The position description number for this position is 442804. The incumbent of this position is eligible to work a flexitime work schedule. Appointee must meet eligibility requirements to hold a public trust position. Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement. 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 research and analysis in a public policy setting. · Ability to review and edit written research products. · Ability to negotiate changes with authors and/or management to remedy deficiencies in reviewed products. · Skill in conduct of original research, including publication of original research results. · Ability to interact collaboratively with others. · Ability to exercise objectivity. · Ability to exercise judgement and discretion. · Ability to work effectively in a high-pressure environment. · Knowledge of the rules, procedures, organization, and operations of the U.S. government. · Knowledge of research standards and methodologies. · Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing. Education Basic Requirements 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 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.
