Analyst in U.S. Defense Policy

Analyst in U.S. Defense Policy

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

Library of Congress

Summary

The Congressional Research Service (CRS), Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade Division is accepting applications under its 2024 Graduate Recruit Program for an Analyst in U.S. Defense Policy. This position will be filled at the GS-09 or GS-11 level (see "Duties" below).

Duties

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.

DUTIES

The Congressional Research Service (CRS), Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade (FDT) Division seeks an Analyst in Defense Policy to work on a range of policy issues related to the organization, structure, and appropriations of the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), with a focus on the military personnel system, including the role of Congress and major legislation concerning these policy issues.

The analyst will provide objective public policy analysis and consultation on policies and issues related to the political, security, and economic aspects of U.S. defense policy, with a focus on the military personnel system, for Members, committees, and staff of the U.S. Congress. The work includes locating/interpreting factual information; conducting research; preparing objective, nonpartisan descriptive, background, and analytical reports; participating in team research projects and seminars; and applying qualitative and quantitative analytical methods to research and writing.

The ideal candidate will be enrolled in or graduating from a M.A. or Ph.D. program and have experience and graduate coursework in defense policy, security policy, international relations, or a related field.

Strong research, writing, and presentation skills, including the ability to synthesize complex analyses into easy-to-understand language for a non-technical audience, as well as attention to detail and skill with online databases, are required. Candidates with experience in data analysis and data visualization are encouraged to apply.

The analyst position carries promotion potential to the GS-15 level