Duties
The position will be filled as a GS-0101 (social science analyst) or GS-0110 (economist). This is an interdisciplinary position (0101 Social Science Analyst) and 0110 (Economics). The person selected for this position will be placed on the position description that corresponds with their qualifications. Applicants can request to be considered for either or both series (see Vacancy Questionnaire).
We expect this analyst to work primarily on issues related to health care industry and private health insurance. The analyst will need to be familiar with relevant federal policy (e.g., Affordable Care Act requirements on private health insurance plans) and relevant legislative efforts. We expect this analyst to work primarily on issues related to private health insurance, including consolidation trends, market inefficiencies, prescription drug policies and impacts, provider service and pricing variations, and applicable federal regulatory policy; for example, working on drug pricing and pharmacy benefit managers in collaboration with Medicare, Medicaid, and health industry analysts; and/or other private health insurance topics. Over time, the analyst is expected to develop the skills necessary to provide analysis and consultation on relevant issues at increasingly sophisticated levels to congressional committees, Members, and staff.
Strong research, analytical, writing, and briefing skills; the ability to work as part of a collaborative team and the ability to be responsive under time pressure are essential for success in this position. The work often requires rapid response to emerging policy issues during all phases of the legislative process. Analyst duties include preparing objective, non-partisan analytic studies and descriptive background reports on issues of national significance; providing direct consultation and assistance to congressional committees, Members, and staff on public policy issues; and participating or leading team research projects and briefings.
Applicants should have experience conducting analysis of private health insurance policy issues (relevant to individual, small group, large group, self-insured, and/or supplemental plans), including conducting legislative, regulatory, and data analysis of issues of congressional interest (e.g., existing or proposed requirements to cover particular issues like prescription drug supply and pricing, anti-competitive practices or the interaction between federal and state regulation of private health insurance). Applicants should also have experience conveying complex or technical information to a non-specialist audience. Applicants with strong interpersonal skills, intellectual curiosity, and self-motivation are encouraged to apply.
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.
The Congressional Research Service (CRS) is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that ensures the Service is well positioned to anticipate and meet the information and analytical research needs of a 21st-century Congress.
Analyst duties include:
Prepares a variety of analytical, descriptive and background reports, memoranda, and written materials on subjects or public policy issues within the employee's designated areas of responsibility to support congressional decision-making.
Participates in planning, organizing, and coordinating group research efforts.
Through direct consultation, assists committees, Members, and staff with consideration of legislative issues by providing information and analysis, and by 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.
This position is located in the Congressional Research Service, Domestic Social Policy Division.
This vacancy may be filled in the GS-0110 (Economist) or the GS-0101 (Social Science Analyst) job series. The position description numbers for these positions are: Economist, 0110 (004740) and Social Science, 0101 (004748).
This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.
The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area.
How to Apply
Please carefully follow all instructions under the How to Apply tab to ensure you are considered for the position.
You are required to apply online for this announcement. We are unable to accept mailed or emailed documents. You must complete the entire application process, including submission of all documents BEFORE this announcement closes. To do so, complete the following steps.
Step 1: If you do not already have one, create a resume on USAJOBS. Although you must enter your Social Security Number for USAJOBS, this information will not be provided to the Library of Congress.
Step 2: Review the Job Announcement. We recommend you go to the end of the Qualification and Evaluation section of the job announcement to preview the online questions that you will answer in Step 4. You may wish to customize your USAJOBS resume to ensure that it supports your responses to these questions.
Step 3: Click on the "APPLY ONLINE" button to the right of this announcement. Follow USAJOBS' instructions to access your account and submit your resume. You will be redirected to the Hiring Management website to complete the application process. If this is your first time in Hiring Management, you will be asked to answer questions related to your eligibility for Federal employment. You will be able to update this information and save it to our account for future announcements.
Step 4: Once you have completed the eligibility questions, you will be taken directly to the vacancy application questions. Answer all questions honestly and thoroughly.
Step 5: Hiring Management offers three options that will electronically attach your documentation to your online application once you finish answering the questions in the job announcement.
(1) You may select a document that you have already uploaded to USAJOBS for a previous announcement.
(2) You may electronically upload a document directly from your computer to your application. Be certain to review your complete application for confirmation of the document uploaded and click on "Finished" to be returned to USAJOBS.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you have multiple documents of the same kind, e.g. 2 undergraduate transcripts from different schools or 2 SF-50s, etc., be sure that they are all in the same file on your computer or in your USAJOBS profile before uploading them. If you try uploading them individually, only the last one sent will be visible in our system. If you have any questions about this information, please contact the person on this announcement BEFORE the closing date.
Step 6: Click on "Finish" after you have completed your application. Once you have submitted your application, you can check your status online through your Hiring Management or MY USAJOBS account. Your complete online application and any required supplemental documentation (e.g., SF-50, etc.) must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of the announcement. It is your responsibility to ensure that all documents are received on time and that the materials are readable. Failure to do so will result in your application being excluded from consideration for this announcement.
If you are experiencing any technical difficulty with the online process, you MUST CONTACT THE POINT OF CONTACT FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE. For all technical issues please contact jobhelp@loc.gov , no later than 4:30pm EST of the Closing Date. REQUESTS FOR EXTENSIONS WILL NOT BE GRANTED.
Next steps
Please review our evaluation process under Evaluation. You may check the status of your application for this position at any time by logging onto the USAJOBS "My USAJOBS" tab and clicking on "My Applications." You will receive final notification via e-mail when the vacancy has been filled.