Summary
The Congressional Research Service (CRS) is seeking a Section Research Manager (SRM) for the Government Finance and Taxation Section within the Government and Finance Division. The Research Manager leads the Section’s public policy research and analysis in support of congressional oversight and legislative activity related to fiscal policy, taxation, the federal budget, and small business. The section’s portfolio is centered around some of the nation’s leading economic and policy issues.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
U.S. citizens.
Duties
The Section Research Manager leads a team of policy analysts in the development of policy research and analysis for Congress. The section covers a broad range of public policy issues related to public finance and taxation. This includes, but is not limited to tax policy, the federal budget, debts and deficits, small business, and the impact of federal policies on state and local government finances, and the economy more widely. The section’s portfolio intersects with many related areas including economic development, housing, energy, education, health, the non-profit and charitable sector, and benefits to families and children. The section regularly collaborates with colleagues across CRS.
The ideal candidate will possess an intellectual curiosity about public finance and taxation policy issues, the ability to explain complex economic issues to professionals with varying levels of formal economics training, and a deeper subject knowledge of one of the areas covered by the section. Candidates with research and research management experience in issues covered by the section and who have strong interpersonal skills and are capable of leading a highly motivated and talented research staff committed to providing Congress the highest level of nonpartisan, authoritative, objective policy analysis are encouraged to apply. Previous experience in writing, research, and analysis, and knowledge of congressional decision making and legislative process is desired.
Duties include:
- Managing and supervising policy analysts, including communicating performance standards and expectations to staff, observing staff performance, giving feedback, and assessing performance;
- Ensuring that the work results in objective, authoritative analysis with which the Congress can assess the consequences of legislative/policy options;
- Proactively establishing relationships with committees of jurisdiction, building long-term relationships with clients, and taking initiative to seek out new congressional contacts for CRS;
- Managing congressional requests, concerns, and needs in policy areas within the research management responsibility of the section;
- Collaborating with other managers to ensure an integrative approach to the work by fully identifying significant policy problems facing the Congress, developing analytical approaches to address these problems, and applying appropriate resources; and
- Performing special assignments as directed by the Assistant/Deputy Assistant Director.
Directly supervises 9-12 staff members in the Government Finance and Taxation Section of the Government and Finance Division and advises the Assistant Director and Deputy Assistant Director. Leads staff toward meeting the Library’s and CRS’s vision, mission, and goals by managing performance, communicating effectively, fostering continuous improvement and innovation, building and maintaining relationships, leveraging diversity and inclusiveness, thinking systematically and inspiring change. Exhibits commitment to the Library’s Supervisor Core Competencies.
Ensures that research and analysis is conducted in a fully collaborative manner both within and outside the section, reflects the congressional agenda, and is relevant to congressional policy making. Leads, plans, organizes and coordinates research, including major research projects related to sensitive or complex public policies of national or international significance, which are often multidisciplinary in nature. Ensures that research and analysis undertaken is of the highest quality and meets CRS's standards of objectivity, responsiveness, non-partisanship, balance, timeliness, legislative relevance, authoritativeness, and accessibility. Reviews research to ensure that it complements other Service research and analyses; is accurate, well organized, and cogent; meets professional and service standards; adheres to CRS policy guidelines; and is responsive to the legislative needs of Members and committees of Congress. Establishes and maintains relationships with Members and committees of Congress.
Contributes to and assists in developing CRS-wide strategic goals and priorities. Communicates those goals and priorities to staff. Oversees the implementation of CRS-wide policies, procedures, standards and guidelines by staff. Effectively communicates management initiatives to staff and ensures that staff are able to acclimate to the changing needs of Congress and the CRS research community. Conveys to senior management information and concerns from staff.
This is a supervisory, non-bargaining unit position.
The tour of duty for this position is full-time.
The position description number for this position is 085357.
The incumbent of this position is eligible to work a flexitime work schedule.
RELOCATION EXPENSES ARE NOT AUTHORIZED FOR THE PERSON(S) SELECTED UNDER THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
The Supervisor leads his/her staff toward meeting the Library’s vision, mission, and goals by acting decisively, leveraging diversity and inclusiveness, demonstrating flexibility and resilience, fostering continuous improvement and innovation, and fostering integrity and honesty. To view the Library’s Supervisory Core Competencies click the following link: https://www.loc.gov/static/portals/careers/documents/loc_supervisor_core_competencies.pdf
Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation.
Initial appointments, permanent or indefinite, to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period. In addition, per Library of Congress Regulation 2010-12, an appointee is subject to a one-year supervisory probationary period, if this is his/her first supervisory/managerial position at the Library.
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 finance and taxation**
• Ability to manage research**
• Ability to review the analysis of others**
• Ability to lead and manage staff
• Ability to communicate in writing
• Ability to convey information orally through briefings, consultations and other presentations
• Knowledge congressional decision making
• Ability to collaborate
• Ability to build professional relationships
• Ability to exercise judgment and discretion
• Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing
Education
There are no education requirements for this posting.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
The Library of Congress evaluates applicants through an applicant questionnaire and a structured interview. Applicants may also be screened for some jobs through licensing, certification, and/or education requirements, a narrative/application review, and/or a preliminary telephone interview. The knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that are marked with a double asterisk (**) in the vacancy announcement and the applicant questionnaire are considered the most critical for a position. To be considered for final selection, applicants must demonstrate fully acceptable experience in these designated KSAs in the narrative/application review, preliminary telephone and/or full structured interview. The various assessment tools listed above are designed to verify or explore applicants' experience, knowledge, and training directly related to the job in order to identify the best qualified applicants for selection.
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.
For more information regarding eligibility requirements, please see the Library of Congress Merit Selection Plan, Section 8.5, at: Merit Selection Plan.
You may preview questions for this vacancy.
Required Documents
Current or former federal employees must submit their most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent).
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. The program does not accept certification from health care providers. For more information contact the Library's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity Programs 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.
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.
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