The competencies below are required for this position. Those marked with a double asterisk (**) are considered the most critical competencies for this position.
A candidate's resume must show a proven record of accomplishment that clearly demonstrates he or she has:
Knowledge of the Congress, executive branch, judicial branch, intergovernmental relations, and/or economics.** Knowledge of the theories, relevant laws and regulations, concepts, processes, techniques, principles, and/or practices of the Congress, executive branch, judicial branch, intergovernmental relations, and/or economics. This includes knowledge of the history, trends, interrelationships, and current status of these fields and interrelationships with other disciplines.
Ability to manage public policy research and analysis.** The ability to manage, organize, and evaluate the analysis of public policy issues by applying broad knowledge of the Congress, executive branch, judicial branch, intergovernmental relations, and/or economics. This includes ensuring public policy problems are appropriately conceptualized and defined; appropriate research approaches and frameworks, analytical methodologies and techniques are utilized; information and research are fully analyzed and synthesized; the implications of data and research findings are identified and appropriate conclusions are drawn; alternatives are generated and assessed; and the consequences of choosing each alternative are evaluated. This also includes understanding the big picture, the inter-relationships of all aspects of the public policy issue, and the appropriate array and design of products and services to meet the client needs.
Ability to lead people and manage a workforce.** The ability to conduct workforce planning activities by identifying staffing needs and recruiting, hiring, training, supervising, and mentoring highly qualified, diverse staff to meet those needs. This includes setting realistic but challenging goals and standards and providing regular, constructive feedback towards goal attainment. This also includes the ability and willingness to ensure that tasks are appropriately delegated and satisfactorily completed by monitoring and evaluating performance against a predetermined deadline and/or measure of quality.
Ability to review the written products of others.** The ability to review and oversee the production of a variety of clear, accurate, and well-organized products. This includes evaluating the content, organization, and congressional relevance of a range of products and services to meet the quality standards of a public policy organization. Ensures that products and services are substantively correct, and meet CRS’s core values of objectivity, nonpartisanship, authoritativeness, and timeliness. Makes suggestions for improvement.
Ability to apply knowledge of congressional decision-making.** The ability to apply knowledge of congressional decision making, including how legislation becomes law, the federal budget process, the appropriations process, and oversight, sufficient to ensure timely and legislatively relevant assistance to congressional committees, Members, and senior staff. This includes knowledge of the institutional and political environment, including the context in which congressional decision making occurs, the roles and relationships of the President and executive and independent agencies, the judiciary, state and local governments, and interest groups, and the ramifications of those decisions on existing policies and affected constituencies.
Ability to exercise judgment and discretion. The ability to demonstrate awareness of the likely consequences or implications of one’s own actions and work within the context of agency/organizational/departmental standards. This includes behaving appropriately in a given situation (e.g., with colleagues, clients, media/press), using discretion, and honoring confidentiality.
Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing. Ability to effectively express ideas and recommendations other than in writing in various settings to peers, staff, managers, supervisors, and external audiences to both provide and seek information. This includes actively listening to or understanding communicated information and answering questions thoughtfully and completely.
Continue with the application process only if you are able to document on your resume that you meet all the critical competency requirements at the levels described below.
1. Knowledge of the Congress, executive branch, judicial branch, intergovernmental relations, and/or economics: I am recognized by decision makers as a professional resource in fields relevant to the Congress, executive branch, judicial branch, intergovernmental relations, and/or economics.
2. Ability to manage public policy research and analysis: I have routinely managed public policy research and analysis in specific aspects of issues covered in the Government and Finance Division.
3. Ability to lead people and manage a workforce: I have led, supervised, and managed a professional research staff.
4. Ability to review the written products of others: I have evaluated and critically reviewed diverse written research products on public policy issues for compliance with established substantive and qualitative standards and made independent judgments on acceptability of material.
5. Ability to apply knowledge of congressional decision-making: I have knowledge of the Congress, including its organization, operating procedures, committee structure, and oversight functions.