The Resources, Science and Industry Division (RSI) of the Congressional Research Service (CRS) seeks a Section Research Manager, Agriculture and Food Supply to lead analysts within the Agriculture and Food Supply Section in the development of policy research and analysis relevant to congressional needs.
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 agriculture and/or food policy** Ability to manage research** Ability to review the analysis of others** Ability to lead and manage staff Ability to communicate in writing Knowledge of congressional decision making Ability to convey information orally through briefings, consultations, and other presentations Ability to collaborate Ability to build relationships Ability to exercise judgment and discretion Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing
The Section Research Manager leads analysts within, and advises the Assistant Director and Deputy Assistant Director regarding activities of, the Agriculture and Food Supply Section. The Section Research Manager ensures that section research and analysis is conducted in a fully collaborative manner, reflects the congressional agenda, and is relevant to congressional policy making. The Section Research manager facilitates the planning, organization and coordination of research, including major research projects related to sensitive or complex public policies of national or international significance. Such projects are often multidisciplinary in nature, and may include research performed by outside consultants. The Section Research Manager ensures that section 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. As part of that process, the Section Research Manager reviews research to ensure that it complements other Service research and analyses; is accurate, well-organized, and cogent; meets professional and service standards; adheres to CRS policy guidelines; and is responsive to the legislative needs of Members and committees of Congress. The Section Research Manager is a key member of the division management team and establishes and maintains relationships with Members and committees of Congress, contributes to and assists in developing CRS-wide strategic goals and priorities, and communicates those goals and priorities to Agriculture and Food Supply Section analysts. The Section Research Manager oversees the implementation of CRS-wide policies, procedures, standards and guidelines by Agriculture and Food Supply Section analysts; effectively communicates management initiatives to them; and ensures they are able to acclimate to the changing needs of Congress and the CRS research community. The Section Research Manager also conveys to senior management information and concerns raised by Agriculture and Food Supply Section analysts. The Agriculture and Food Supply Section analysts addresses policy issues that include the policy and economic implications of agriculture policy and food policy in key areas such as domestic agricultural support, agricultural disaster assistance, agricultural markets, international trade, agricultural conservation, farm credit and disaster assistance, farm economy, and rural development. 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. Duties include: 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 fully identifying significant policy problems facing the Congress, developing analytical approaches to address these problems, and applying appropriate resources; Managing and supervising policy analysts, including communicating performance standards and expectations to staff, observing staff performance, giving feedback, and assessing performance; and Performing special assignments as directed by the Assistant/Deputy Assistant Director. Candidates with research and research management experience in issues covered by the Agriculture and Food Supply Section, and who have strong interpersonal skills and are capable of leading a highly motivated and talented research staff committed to providing Congress the highest level of nonpartisan, authoritative, objective policy analysis are encouraged to apply. The Section Research Manager directly supervises staff members in the Agriculture and Food Supply Section of the Resources, Science and Industry Division. They lead 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. They exhibit commitment to the Library’s Supervisor Core Competencies.