The Congressional Research Service (CRS) is seeking a Section Research Manager (SRM) for the Government Finance and Taxation Section within the Government and Finance Division. The Research Manager oversees and facilitates the Section’s public policy research and analysis in support of congressional oversight and legislative activity related to fiscal policy, taxation, the federal budget, and small business. The position description number for this position is 085357.
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. Knowledge of public finance and taxation** Ability to manage research** Ability to review the analysis of others** Ability to lead and manage staff. Ability to communicate in writing. Ability to convey information orally through briefings, consultations and other presentations. Knowledge congressional decision making. Ability to collaborate. Ability to build professional relationships. Ability to exercise judgment and discretion. Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.
The Section Research Manager is a unique position in a fast paced, client-focused policy environment. The individual leads a team of policy analysts in the delivery of nonpartisan, authoritative, and objective research and analysis for Congress. The section’s work includes delivering responses to questions from congressional clients with timely consultations, seminars, and various written analyses. The section covers a broad range of public policy issues related to public finance and taxation. This includes, but is not limited to tax policy, the federal budget, debts and deficits, small business, and the impact of federal policies on state and local government finances, and the economy. The section’s portfolio intersects with related areas including economic development, housing, energy, education, health, and benefits to families and children. The ideal candidate will possess the ability to manage and review a highly motivated and talented research staff in a collaborative, interdisciplinary policy environment. The candidate should have an intellectual curiosity about public finance and taxation policy issues, a deeper knowledge of one of the areas covered by the section, and the ability to explain complex policy issues to professionals with varying levels of experience. Knowledge of congressional decision making and legislative process is desired. Duties include: Managing and supervising policy analysts, including communicating performance standards and expectations to staff, observing staff performance, giving feedback, and assessing performance; Ensuring that the work results in objective, authoritative analysis with which the Congress can assess the consequences of legislative/policy options; Proactively establishing relationships with committees of jurisdiction, building long-term relationships with clients, and taking initiative to seek out new congressional contacts for CRS; Managing congressional requests, concerns, and needs in policy areas within the research management responsibility of the section; Collaborating with other managers to ensure an integrative approach to the work by identifying significant policy problems facing the Congress, developing analytical approaches to address these problems, and applying appropriate resources; and Performing special assignments as directed by the Assistant/Deputy Assistant Director. Directly supervises 9-12 staff members in the Section and advises the Assistant Director and Deputy Assistant Director. Leads staff toward meeting the Library’s and CRS’s vision, mission, and goals by managing performance, communicating effectively, fostering continuous improvement and innovation, building and maintaining relationships, thinking systematically and inspiring change. Exhibits commitment to the Library’s Supervisor Core Competencies. Ensures that research and analysis is conducted in a collaborative manner both within and outside the section, reflects the congressional agenda, and is relevant to congressional policy making. Leads, plans, organizes and coordinates research, including major research projects related to sensitive or complex public policies of national or international significance, which are often multidisciplinary in nature. Ensures that research and analysis undertaken is of the highest quality and meets CRS's standards of objectivity, responsiveness, non-partisanship, balance, timeliness, legislative relevance, authoritativeness, and accessibility. Contributes to and assists in developing CRS-wide strategic goals and priorities. Communicates goals and priorities to staff. Oversees implementation of CRS-wide policies, procedures, standards and guidelines by staff. Effectively communicates management initiatives to staff and ensures that staff are able to acclimate to the changing needs of Congress and the CRS research community. Conveys information and staff concerns to senior management. CRS works exclusively for the United States Congress, providing analysis that is accurate, authoritative, confidential, objective and nonpartisan 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 accurate, 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 salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area. The incumbent of this position will work a flextime work schedule. This is a supervisory, non-bargaining unit position. Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement.