Summary The Congressional Research Service (CRS) Resources, Science and Industry Division is accepting applications under its 2024 Graduate Recruit Program for an Analyst in Agricultural Policy. The analyst will conduct analyses that inform congressional deliberations on agricultural policy. This position will be filled at the GS-11 level (see “Duties” below). Applicants selected for this position may be considered for other similar CRS Graduate Recruit Positions. Responsibilities About the Graduate Recruit Program: Initial appointments under the Graduate Recruit Program will be made for a period up to 120 days. Initial appointments are expected to convert to permanent, contingent upon the participant’s successful performance, completion of all degree requirements, and availability of funding. Those students who return to school to complete their advanced degree program may be eligible for a permanent position once they obtain their degree. About CRS 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 shared staff to congressional committees and Members of Congress, CRS experts assist at every stage of the legislative process—from the early considerations that precede bill drafting, through committee hearings and floor debate, to the oversight of enacted laws and various agency activities. 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. Job Responsibilities The analyst will conduct analyses that inform congressional deliberations on agricultural policy. The ideal candidate will have knowledge of the economics, history, trends, and current status of agricultural policy with an emphasis on agricultural production, as well as associated legislative, economic, and regulatory issues and interrelationships with other key agricultural policy areas. This position requires the ability to utilize analytical methods and techniques to analyze policy issues for the U.S. Congress. Applicants should be comfortable with quantitative approaches in research and familiar with agricultural policy and related issues. Strong writing and presentation skills, including the ability to synthesize complex analyses into easy-to-understand language for a non-technical audience, are required. Analyst duties include preparing objective, non-partisan analytical studies and descriptive background reports on issues of national significance; providing personal consultation and assistance to congressional committees, Members, and staff on public policy issues throughout the legislative process; and participating in or coordinating 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. Requirements 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 Graduate students and Library of Congress employees who meet all of the following eligibility requirements: U.S. Citizenship Current enrollment in or anticipated graduation from an appropriate, accredited advanced degree program. (Library employees who already possess a graduate degree and maintain Library employment status without a break in service may be considered for appointment under the CRS Graduate Recruit Program). General education requirements for a GS-11 appointment (see table below) GS-11 Grade Level Three years of progressively higher appropriate graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree, OR A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, OR One year of specialized experience at the GS-09 grade level in the federal service or at a comparable level of difficulty outside the federal service. ADDITIONAL EDUCATION 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. Transcripts (official or unofficial) of all completed graduate courses or a self-prepared course list showing grades and the number of credits received must be attached to your online application. Graduate transcripts/course list are mandatory; undergraduate transcripts are optional. KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, AND ABILITY REQUIREMENTS: The critical knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs), gained through education, experience, and/or training, needed to successfully perform the duties of the position: GS-11 Grade Level Knowledge of Agricultural Policy * To provide objective, in-depth public policy analysis and background information on agricultural policy related to analytical methods and techniques to analyze policy issues for the U.S. Congress. Ability to Design and Utilize Research and Analytical Methods and Techniques* To research, analyze, and synthesize complex information and evaluate the implications of various policy alternatives. Ability to Write on Issues Related to Agricultural Policy** To write analytical and descriptive reports, memoranda, and other products supported by appropriate background research for Congress. Education Additional Information The Congressional Research Service, within the Library of Congress, is part of the Legislative Branch of the federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service. The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustment for the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position. The appointment tenure for this position is full-time temporary with the expectation of subsequent conversion to permanent; flexible work schedules may be available. The position description number for this vacancy announcement is 004746. Relocation expenses are not authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement. The Library reserves the right to fill a lesser or greater number of vacancies indicated during the life of this vacancy announcement. Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation. Those Graduate Recruit Program participants who are converted from a temporary appointment to a permanent position, and who have not yet completed the one-year probationary period, which is required of all new Library employees, will be required to do so. Time served in the temporary appointment will not count toward completion of this one-year probationary period requirement. CRS staff not placed in a permanent position under the Graduate Recruit Program will return to the position occupied before entering the program or a position of similar grade and duties without loss of federal service tenure or seniority. Before applying, other Library of Congress employees should consult their supervisor or service unit management regarding the status of their position should they be selected for the program but not placed in a permanent position. A “Not to Exceed” (NTE) status identifies 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. This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify Carmen Reese at [email protected] or (202) 707-6275. The decision on granting reasonable accommodations will be made on a case-by-case basis.