Apply to be a Research Assistant (Congress) - Congressional Research Service

The Congressional Research Service’ (CRS) Government and Finance Division is seeking a Research Assistant (Congress) to perform data analysis, research, writing, and quality control duties in support of research analysts and managers developing CRS products and otherwise addressing congressional requests for information and analysis. 

Duties include, but not limited to:

• Preparing contributions to comprehensive or complex analytical and descriptive products that inform congressional understanding of public policy issues and consideration of policy proposals; may author or co-author analytical or descriptive and background reports, memoranda, and other types of written responses for congressional committees, Members, and staff;
• Participating in group efforts on research projects as a member of a collaborative team and undertakes research and data analytical tasks in support of the development of an array of analytical and descriptive products or components;
• Locating, extracting, collecting, and/or compiling quantitative data and other information; interpreting and evaluating data for accuracy, relevance, authoritativeness, and usefulness; working with division staff to identify and resolve problems with data; and formatting data to meet targeted, well-defined research needs;
• Creating and populating databases and spreadsheets, reformatting and standardizing data from different sources, and performing data input, calculations, and analysis;
• Preparing materials for use at consultations, briefings, and seminars for congressional clients; attending consultations, briefings, seminars, and outreach activities to gain familiarity with CRS’s information and analytic capabilities, record questions, gauge audience engagement, and capture audience suggestions for future sessions; may present analytical information, factual information, or research findings to congressional clients.      

The ideal candidate will have experience conducting research on Congress and American national government and must be able to work as part of a collaborative team. Strong research, writing, and presentation skills are essential.

Candidates with strong data analysis skills (e.g., STATA, SAS, SPSS, Excel) are especially urged to apply. 

This is an indefinite position - not-to-exceed three years and is being offered at the GS-9 level ($54,972 to $71,467), with promotion potential to the GS-11 level ($66,510 - $86,460).

Applications must be received by Friday, April 28, 2017.

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 and 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. 

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 and is fully committed to workforce diversity.

Apply here:  http://www.loc.gov/crsinfo