Summary This position is located in the Congressional Research Service (CRS), in the Middle East and Africa Section of the Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division (FDT). The position description number for this position is 421679. This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position. The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area. The selected candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret Clearance. Responsibilities The Middle East and Africa Section (ME) of FDT covers the Middle East and Africa – to include Iran, Turkey, Afghanistan, and North Africa – and U.S. bilateral political, security, and economic relations in the region and multilateral affairs. The ideal candidate will have formal education, training, and/or experience conducting research on Middle Eastern affairs and U.S. relations with the region, including Iran, Lebanon, Syria, and security issues. The ideal candidate is expected to possess and enhance over time the skills necessary to provide legislative analysis and consultation to congressional committees, Members, and staff through increasingly sophisticated levels. The analyst may support research undertaken throughout 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 a legislative branch agency within the Library of Congress, CRS is a valued and respected resource on Capitol Hill. 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. 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. Prepares a variety of analytical, descriptive and background reports, memoranda, and written materials on subjects or public policy issues within the employee's designated areas of responsibility to support congressional decision-making. Through personal consultation, assists committees, Members, and staff with consideration of legislative issues by providing information and analysis, and applying professional subject-area knowledge. Participates in CRS seminars, workshops, and/or outreach programs for committees, Members, and staff. Locates and provides information requested by Members and committees of Congress or their staff. Applicants should have experience conducting sophisticated analysis of Middle Eastern affairs and U.S. relations with the region, including Iran, Lebanon, Syria, and security issues; knowledge of the U.S. legislative branch and its operations; and the ability to work as part of a collaborative team. The work can require rapid response to emerging policy issues during active legislative processes. The ideal candidate will have a solid background in Middle Eastern affairs and U.S. relations with region, including Iran, Lebanon, Syria, and security issues, and the ability to apply such knowledge in a legislative context. Professional experience analyzing or implementing policy and legislation is preferred. Strong research, analysis, writing, and presentation skills are essential, and applicants with an advanced degree in regional studies, international relations, national security policy, history, economics, foreign languages, or similar disciplines are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants with Farsi and/or Arabic language skills are encouraged to apply. The analyst will prepare authoritative, objective, and nonpartisan analytical studies and descriptive and background reports and other products that analyze Middle Eastern affairs and U.S. relations with the region; provide personal consultation and assistance to congressional committees, Members, and staff on Middle Eastern affairs and U.S. relations with the region throughout the legislative process; and participate in team research projects and seminars. Requirements Conditions of Employment Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance. Conditions of Employment Library of Congress employees are prohibited from using illegal drugs, including marijuana. The Library is part of the Federal Government and abides by federal law, so regardless of individual state or District of Columbia laws, marijuana use is illegal, considered criminal activity, and can affect your employment at the Library. In addition, past or current drug use and activities (e.g., selling or distributing) may deem you ineligible for employment. The selected candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret Clearance. Qualifications 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 Middle Eastern affairs and U.S. relations with the region, including Iran, Lebanon, Syria, and security issues ** Ability to analyze public policy issues** Ability to write in a public policy context** Ability to convey analysis and information orally through briefings, consultations and other presentations Ability to lead collaborative research tasks Ability to exercise objectivity in all phases of analysis and consultation Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing Education Degree: behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of education and experience that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. OR Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. Additional Information Although 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 at step one of the grade. The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities who meet eligibility requirements are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants must submit a complete application package that is received by the closing date of this announcement. Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation. For more information, please see: Vetting Process This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please email ADA@loc.gov. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be determined 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 proof or disability/certification may be issued by the State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of the applicant’s college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The letter must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and must be dated within three years of the date of the application. Certification from health care providers are not accepted. For more information contact the Library's Office of EEO/Diversity Programs at 202-707-6024 or email spp@loc.gov. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM. The Library of Congress is the national library of the United States and is part of the Legislative Branch of the Federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service. The Library reserves the right to fill a lesser or greater number of vacancies indicated during the life of this vacancy announcement. Initial permanent appointments to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period. Probationary periods served at other Federal agencies do not count toward this requirement. The Library of Congress may offer repayment for all or part of federally insured student loans. However, not all service units within the Library of Congress participates in the repayment of federally insured student loans. Therefore, determination to repay a federally insured student loan is subject to approval by the appropriate service unit. 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 a NTE employee at any time due to either performance issues or budget constraints. 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 (click here for the form) and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form. If required supporting documentation is not attached, Veterans' Preference will not be considered in the application process.