Congressional Research Service - Analyst in Agricultural Policy

Washington, D.C.

Description:

• The Resources, Science and Industry Division is seeking an Analyst in Agriculture Policy. The analyst will cover agriculture policy with a focus on domestic agricultural policies and markets with an emphasis on crop insurance and/or farm income support programs. The ideal candidate will have knowledge of the history, trends, economics, and current status of domestic agricultural policies and markets and demonstrate ability to develop expertise in new areas.

Duties:

• The Resources, Science and Industry Division (RSI) of the Congressional Research Service (CRS) is seeking an Analyst in Agriculture Policy. The analyst will conduct analyses that inform congressional deliberations on agriculture policy with a focus on domestic agricultural policies and markets. The ideal candidate will have knowledge of the history, trends, economics, and current status of domestic agricultural policies and markets with an emphasis on crop insurance and/or farm income support programs, 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 issues related to domestic agriculture policies and markets with an emphasis on crop insurance and/or farm income support programs. Strong writing and presentation skills, including the ability to synthesize complex analyses into easy-to-understand language for a non-technical audience, are required. The analyst will provide objective, expert policy analysis and consultation to congressional committees, Members, and staff, including preparing objective, authoritative, non-partisan, and innovative analytical studies on policy issues of national or international significance; providing personal assistance as a national expert on public policy issues throughout the legislative process, including analyzing and evaluating legislative proposals; and planning and leading multi-disciplinary team research projects and seminars.
• 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.
• Analyst duties include:
• Preparing a variety of objective, non-partisan analytical studies and descriptive background reports, memoranda and other written materials on subjects or public policy issues of national significance that are within the employee’s area of professional knowledge.
• Providing personal consultation and assistance to congressional committees, Members and staff on public policy issues throughout the legislative process by providing information and analysis, and applying professional subject-area knowledge.
• Participating in CRS seminars, workshops, and/or outreach programs for congressional committees, Members and staff.
• Participating in or leading team research projects and seminars.
• Locating and providing information requested by Members and committees of Congress and their staff.
• 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.
• 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.

Requirements:

• Knowledge of agriculture policy.
• Ability to analyze public policy issues.
• Ability to write in a public policy context.
• Ability to convey analysis and information orally through briefings, consultations and other presentations.
• Ability to lead collaborative research tasks.
• Ability to exercise objectivity in all phases of analysis and consultation.
• Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.
• Although it is the Library's policy to afford the maximum pay benefit to employees when setting rates of pay, a new appointee who has had no previous Federal service will generally be paid the minimum step of the grade.
• The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities who meet eligibility requirements are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Applicants must submit a complete application package that is received by the closing date of this announcement.

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