Analyst in Agricultural Policy - DC

Duties

Summary

The Resources, Science and Industry Division (RSI) of the Congressional Research Service (CRS) is seeking an Analyst in Agricultural Policy. The analyst will conduct analyses that inform congressional deliberations on agricultural policy including U.S. international food assistance efforts and alternative approaches employed by other entities. The ideal candidate will have knowledge of the programs, initiatives, and broad objectives of agricultural policy, agricultural markets, and the interplay between domestic agricultural and international food assistance interests.

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 current agricultural policy and related issues with an emphasis on U.S. international food assistance efforts and alternative approaches employed by other entities. 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.
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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Participates in planning, organizing, and coordinating group research efforts.
• Through personal consultation, assists committees, Members, and staff with consideration of legislative issues by providing information and analysis, and applying professional subject-area knowledge.
• Prepares a variety of descriptive and background reports, memoranda, and written materials on subjects or public policy issues within the employee's area of professional knowledge to support congressional decision making.