The Congressional Research Service (CRS) Office of Congressional Information and Publishing (CIP) is seeking a Legislative Research Assistant to join its Legislative Analysis and Information Section (LAIS). CIP is the organization within CRS and the Library of Congress that is mandated to produce legislative information for the United States Congress. This information is considered to be authoritative for Federal legislation: it is consulted widely by lawmakers, policymakers, academics, and members of the public who are seeking accurate, objective information on both new and amended Federal legislation.
This position serves as a Legislative Research Assistant in the LAIS within CIP. The employee reports to the LAIS Head. The employee supports CIP legislative analysts by locating, interpreting, and presenting legislative information; conducting and presenting research; and reviewing authoritative sources to identify legislative data and enter that data into the legislative information management system for subsequent entry into Congress.gov. The employee supports CIP managers and reviewers by verifying the accuracy of legislative information entered into the system and otherwise expediting workflow by helping to ensure that bill summary work is done in priority order and assigned to the correct reviewer. The employee is expected to develop over time the versatility and range of skills necessary to respond to CIP’s shifting needs and priorities, as directed.
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 over 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.
The position description number for this position is 366356.
The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area.
The incumbent of this position is eligible to work a flexitime or compflex work schedule.
This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.
RELOCATION EXPENSES ARE NOT AUTHORIZED FOR THE PERSON(S) SELECTED UNDER THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT.
Summary
The Congressional Research Service (CRS) Office of Congressional Information and Publishing (CIP) is seeking a Legislative Research Assistant to join its Legislative Analysis and Information Section (LAIS). CIP is the organization within CRS and the Library of Congress that is mandated to produce legislative information for the United States Congress. This information is considered to be authoritative for Federal legislation: it is consulted widely by lawmakers, policymakers, academics, and members of the public who are seeking accurate, objective information on both new and amended Federal legislation.
This position serves as a Legislative Research Assistant in the LAIS within CIP. The employee reports to the LAIS Head. The employee supports CIP legislative analysts by locating, interpreting, and presenting legislative information; conducting and presenting research; and reviewing authoritative sources to identify legislative data and enter that data into the legislative information management system for subsequent entry into Congress.gov. The employee supports CIP managers and reviewers by verifying the accuracy of legislative information entered into the system and otherwise expediting workflow by helping to ensure that bill summary work is done in priority order and assigned to the correct reviewer. The employee is expected to develop over time the versatility and range of skills necessary to respond to CIP’s shifting needs and priorities, as directed.
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 over 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.
The position description number for this position is 366356.
The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area.
The incumbent of this position is eligible to work a flexitime or compflex work schedule.
This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.
RELOCATION EXPENSES ARE NOT AUTHORIZED FOR THE PERSON(S) SELECTED UNDER THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT.
Supports legislative analysts by locating, interpreting, and presenting legislative information orally or in writing to legislative analysts and reviewers; conducting and presenting research findings relating to the legislative history of a bill by reviewing applicable documents, including committee hearing testimony, Congressional Record excerpts, sponsor press releases, and media coverage; reviewing authoritative sources to identify legislative data, such as subject areas, policy terms, bill relationships, and titles; and entering that data into the system for subsequent entry into Congress.gov.
Independently or in consultation with a legislative analyst, prepares “markup” documents for use by legislative analysts and reviewers, which provide context for the amendment(s) to existing law(s) and illustrate the changes (additions, deletions, and/or revisions).
Identifies, enters, and verifies legislative data such as subject areas, policy area terms, bill relationships, and titles. Utilizes CRS’s bill comparison software and other legislative resources such as internal guidance on the standards and formats to be used for entering this information and/or providing this information to legislative analysts and reviewers.
Performs intake tasks and quality control to facilitate bill summary workflow from assignment to publication. In performing intake tasks, the employee ensures the summary is correctly assigned, and when applicable, adds policy area terms, short titles, and related bill links.
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.
Ability to interpret legislative text and information.**
Ability to attend to detail.**
Ability to utilize computer/information technology**
Ability to interact collaboratively with others.
Ability to adapt.
Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.
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. While 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 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.
Initial appointments, permanent or indefinite, to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period.
This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify this agency. The decision on granting reasonable accommodations will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Applicants with disabilities may be considered under special hiring procedures and must submit an appropriate certificate of eligibility when applying for this position. The certificate of disability may be issued by a State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of an applicant's college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The date of certification must be within one year of the vacancy closing date and must be submitted with your application. For more information view the directive on the Library's Selective Placement Program and/or contact the Library's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity Programs at 202-707-6024 (voice or TTY) or email spp@loc.gov. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM.
A “Not to Exceed” (NTE) status is used to identify an appointment with a specific ending date. However, the Library has the right to separate an employee at any time due to either performance issues or budget constrains.
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, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form. For more information regarding eligibility requirements, please see the Library's Merit Selection Plan, Section X.D. IF REQUIRED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION IS NOT ATTACHED, VETERANS' PREFERENCE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED IN THE APPLICATION PROCESS.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Current or former federal employees must submit their most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent).
Disabled applicants claiming Selective Placement eligibility must submit the appropriate supporting documentation described in OTHER INFORMATION above. If this required documentation is not attached, your application will not be considered under the Selective Placement Program.
Veterans claiming Veterans' Preference eligibility must submit the appropriate supporting documentation described in OTHER INFORMATION above. If this required documentation is not attached, Veterans' Preference will not be applied to your application.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Please carefully follow all instructions below 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 applications. To apply online, complete the following steps.
Step 1: Review the Job Announcement. We recommend you go to the end of the Qualifications and Evaluations section of the job announcement to preview the application questions that you will be required to answer.
Step 2: Click the "APPLY ONLINE" button to the right of this announcement. Follow USAJOBS' instructions to access your account (if you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will be asked to build one). If you have not already created a resume in USAJOBS, you will be required to create one. Although you must enter your Social Security number for USAJOBS, this information will not be provided to the Congressional Research Service or the Library of Congress.
Step 3: USAJOBS will redirect you to the Library of Congress hiring management website, where you will complete the application process. Answer all questions honestly and thoroughly, and follow all instructions for uploading required documentation.
Step 4: Click "FINISH" after you have completed your application. Once you have submitted your application, you can check your status online through your USAJOBS account. Your complete online application must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of the 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 4:30 p.m. EST of the Closing Date. REQUESTS FOR EXTENSIONS WILL NOT BE GRANTED.
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
101 Independence Ave. SE
LM-107
Washington, District of Columbia 20540
United States
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.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Current or former federal employees must submit their most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent).
Disabled applicants claiming Selective Placement eligibility must submit the appropriate supporting documentation described in OTHER INFORMATION above. If this required documentation is not attached, your application will not be considered under the Selective Placement Program.
Veterans claiming Veterans' Preference eligibility must submit the appropriate supporting documentation described in OTHER INFORMATION above. If this required documentation is not attached, Veterans' Preference will not be applied to your application.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Please carefully follow all instructions below 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 applications. To apply online, complete the following steps.
Step 1: Review the Job Announcement. We recommend you go to the end of the Qualifications and Evaluations section of the job announcement to preview the application questions that you will be required to answer.
Step 2: Click the "APPLY ONLINE" button to the right of this announcement. Follow USAJOBS' instructions to access your account (if you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will be asked to build one). If you have not already created a resume in USAJOBS, you will be required to create one. Although you must enter your Social Security number for USAJOBS, this information will not be provided to the Congressional Research Service or the Library of Congress.
Step 3: USAJOBS will redirect you to the Library of Congress hiring management website, where you will complete the application process. Answer all questions honestly and thoroughly, and follow all instructions for uploading required documentation.
Step 4: Click "FINISH" after you have completed your application. Once you have submitted your application, you can check your status online through your USAJOBS account. Your complete online application must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of the 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 4:30 p.m. EST of the Closing Date. REQUESTS FOR EXTENSIONS WILL NOT BE GRANTED.
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
101 Independence Ave. SE
LM-107
Washington, District of Columbia 20540
United States
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.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
