Job Opportunities

The Microeconomic Studies Division conducts research and analyses on the impact of governmental policies and regulation. CBO seeks applications for a transportation economist or any area of applied microeconomics in the division’s portfolio. That portfolio includes government regulation of industry (telecommunications, electricity, and pharmaceuticals, among others); federal investment in physical infrastructure (highways, rail and aviation systems, and water and sewer facilities, for example); science and technology; the benefits and costs of environmental, energy, and natural resources policies; the economics of the law; international trade and investment; and government labor markets.

Analysts prepare written studies and testimonies, and advise committee staff. The ideal candidate has a background and demonstrated competence in analyzing public policies related to transportation and infrastructure, including knowledge of federal transportation programs; and a willingness to apply her or his talents to new areas as the demands of the Congress require.

Qualifications: Applicants should have a Ph.D. in economics or a related discipline and a strong quantitative background, ability to clearly present their work orally and in writing, and a desire to work on issues of current legislative interest to the Congress. Successful candidates will be able to work independently and complete work in a timely manner.

Salary & Benefits: Salary is competitive and will be commensurate with experience, education, and other qualifications. CBO offers excellent benefits and an attractive work environment.

How to Apply: Please submit the following items using CBO's job application system:

• Cover Letter
• Résumé
• Salary History
• Unofficial Academic Transcripts (if new or recent graduate)
• Letters of Recommendation
• Short Writing Sample

The Microeconomic Studies Division conducts research and analyses on the impact of governmental policies and regulation. CBO seeks applications for an energy economist (with a particular focus on petroleum markets) or any area of applied microeconomics in the division’s portfolio. That portfolio includes government regulation of industry (telecommunications, electricity, and pharmaceuticals, among others); federal investment in physical infrastructure (highways, rail and aviation systems, and water and sewer facilities, for example); science and technology; the benefits and costs of environmental, energy, and natural resources policies; the economics of the law; international trade and investment; and government labor markets.

Analysts prepare written studies and testimonies, and advise committee staff. The ideal candidate has a background and demonstrated competence in analyzing public policies related to energy, especially oil, natural gas and petroleum product markets; and a willingness to apply her or his talents to new areas as the demands of the Congress require.

Qualifications: Applicants should have a Ph.D. in economics or a related discipline and a strong quantitative background, ability to clearly present their work orally and in writing, and a desire to work on issues of current legislative interest to the Congress. Successful candidates will be able to work independently and complete work in a timely manner.

Salary & Benefits: Salary is competitive and will be commensurate with experience, education, and other qualifications. CBO offers excellent benefits and an attractive work environment.

How to Apply: Please submit the following items using CBO's job application system:

• Cover Letter
• Résumé
• Salary History
• Unofficial Academic Transcripts (if new or recent graduate)
• Letters of Recommendation
• Short Writing Sample

CBO is seeking to fill the senior executive position responsible for managing and directing the National Security Division. That division conducts policy analyses for the Congress that address a wide variety of defense issues, including those related to military manpower, force planning, and weapons systems, as well as subjects related to international security, veterans affairs, and the U.S. space program. The division’s studies examine current policies, develop alternatives, and assess the potential impact of those alternatives, including their effects on the federal budget.

The Assistant Director must have the ability to direct the staff of about 17, most of whom have advanced degrees, in preparing analyses of complex material covering the spectrum of technical defense issues. Key responsibilities include working with Congressional committees to identify important issues for CBO’s analysis, ensuring the preparation of high-quality studies, supervising the production of clearly written products, and developing and delivering testimony before Congressional committees.

Qualifications: The position requires a person with superior technical skills, a detailed understanding of defense policy issues, and an advanced degree in a relevant field. The successful candidate must possess outstanding leadership qualities and the ability to manage and motivate a diverse staff in a fluid and high-pressure environment. Strong quantitative and communications skills are essential, especially the ability to communicate technical material in a clear and concise manner, both orally and in writing. As well, candidates should have a solid understanding of the Congressional legislative and budget processes, and be able to build effective working relationships with staff on Capitol Hill and throughout CBO. The position requires United States citizenship and a Top Secret Security Clearance.

Salary & Benefits: Salary is competitive with Senior Executive Service (SES) positions in the executive branch and will be commensurate with experience, education, and other qualifications. CBO offers an excellent benefits package and work environment.

How to Apply: To ensure consideration, please submit the following items by November 09, 2009 using CBO's job application system:

• Cover Letter
• Résumé
• Salary History
• Contact Information for Three References
• Short Writing Sample

CBO seeks an experienced acquisition professional with good organizational skills to assume responsibility for the full range of professional and technical duties concerning the acquisition of equipment, data, supplies and services. The selected candidate will work closely with the Chief Acquisition Officer and agency staff to effectively and efficiently meet CBO’s needs. Candidates will also be expected to develop new supply sources and to negotiate effectively with vendors. Although most procurements are conducted using simplified procedures, more formal procedures may be used when estimated costs and complexity call for it.

Qualifications: Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree and at least 2 years’ experience in government purchasing or contracting. (Applicants with no degree, but at least 6 years of such experience as a purchasing will be considered.) The ideal candidate will have keen business judgment, experience managing best value competitions and negotiating contract terms, pricing, service, and delivery based on budget and schedule requirements, as well as a commitment to customer service. Excellent word processing/spreadsheet and analytical/problem-solving skills, attention to detail, demonstrated writing ability, good organizational skills, and the ability to multi-task within strict deadlines are required. The ideal candidate will be familiar with acquisition policies and procedures generally applicable to federal agencies. Familiarity with Momentum Acquisitions software by CGI Federal is a plus. Successful completion of a Public Trust background investigation is required.

The writing sample requested should be in the form of a work document (i.e., justification, determination, etc.) written and signed by the applicant

Salary & Benefits: Salary is competitive and will be commensurate with experience, education, and other qualifications. CBO offers an excellent benefits package and an attractive work environment.

How to Apply: Please submit the following items using CBO's job application system:

• Cover Letter
• Résumé
• Salary History
• Unofficial Academic Transcripts (if new or recent graduate)
• Contact Information for Three References
• Short Writing Sample

The National Security Division has an opening for a defense analyst.

The National Security Division prepares analyses of defense policies and programs to support the work of Congressional Committees. The division’s staff is responsible for all the steps needed to carry out that task: gathering relevant information from DoD and other sources; analyzing that information and preparing reports, testimony, and briefings to communicate their findings.

Qualifications: The successful candidate will have a demonstrated record of performing technical or economic analyses of complex issues regarding choices in national security policy. He or she will have developed expertise in one or more areas of the defense program and should be familiar with those DoD and military service offices responsible for the formulation of policy and management of programs in those areas.

Candidates must have a strong quantitative background, an interest in policy analysis, and the ability to write clearly for a non-technical audience. An advanced degree in the physical sciences, engineering, operations research, statistics, or economics is required. Experience analyzing the technical and performance characteristics of military weapon systems would also be desirable. Successful candidates will be able to quickly learn about new programs and, working independently, design and execute quantitative analyses. This position requires U.S. citizenship; the incumbent will be required to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.

Salary & Benefits: Salary will be commensurate with experience, education, and other qualifications. CBO offers an excellent benefits package and work environment.

How to Apply: Please submit the following items using CBO's job application system:

• Cover Letter
• Résumé
• Salary History
• Contact Information for Three References
• Letters of Recommendation
• Short Writing Sample

The Tax Analysis Division is seeking to fill the senior executive position of Deputy Assistant Director.

This senior management position involves working with a staff of about fifteen professional analysts, most with advanced degrees and considerable experience. The Tax Analysis Division is responsible for projecting federal revenues as part of the Congressional Budget Office’s official ten-year budget "baseline" and providing the Congress with analysis and evaluation of the effects of past and proposed changes to federal tax policies. The Deputy assists in planning and managing those activities, providing professional guidance to analysts as needed. The Deputy also writes portions of CBO reports, testimonies, and other publications.

Qualifications: A Ph.D. in economics, or equivalent professional experience, is required, preferably with specialization in public economics or a related area of applied economics. Familiarity with current tax policy issues and research is a must. The candidate should have a proven ability to manage projects, to supervise and work with all levels of analysts in order to further their professional development, to perform independent research, and to write clearly for a non-technical audience.

Salary & Benefits: Salary is competitive with Senior Executive Staff positions in the executive branch and will be commensurate with education, experience, and other qualifications.

How to Apply: Please submit the following items using CBO's job application system:

• Cover Letter
• Résumé
• Salary History
• Contact Information for Three References
• Short Writing Sample

The Projections Unit of the Budget Analysis Division seeks an experienced financial analyst to help analyze federal government activities related to financial markets.

Specific responsibilities of the position will include:

• Analyzing data on programs conducted by the Department of the Treasury through its Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP);

• Developing and maintaining models to calculate the effect of the TARP’s activities on the federal budget, including an assessment of the risks associated with the assets purchased;

• Monitoring and analyzing developments in the credit and debt markets;

• Preparing, writing, and reviewing material for CBO publications and testimony, including the annual Budget and Economic Outlook and statutory reports on the TARP (see http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/100xx/doc10056/06-29-TARP.pdf).

• Providing information about proposed budget alternatives to the Congress, and answering inquiries from the Congress and the public.

Qualifications: The ideal candidate would have at least 2 years of experience in evaluating financial market transactions; a master's degree in finance, public policy, economics, or a similar field; strong quantitative skills; facility with spreadsheet and other software (such as Access or Visual Basic); and the ability to communicate and work well with others. Strong writing skills and familiarity with federal budget issues are desirable.

Salary & Benefits: Salary is competitive and will be commensurate with related experience, education, and other qualifications. CBO offers an excellent benefits package and an attractive work environment.

How to Apply: Please submit the following items using CBO's job application system:

• Cover Letter
• Résumé
• Salary History
• Unofficial Academic Transcripts (if new or recent graduate)
• Contact Information for Three References
• Short Writing Sample

The Macroeconomic Analysis Division is seeking a macroeconomist with a major field in finance and a strong interest and ability in writing for a nontechnical audience.

The Macroeconomic Analysis Division advises the Congress about the macroeconomic effects of federal fiscal policy, analyzes emerging developments in financial markets and the economy, prepares CBO’s semi-annual economic forecast, and helps prepare CBO’s estimates of the subsidy costs of financial programs of the federal government. In the coming year, the division anticipates writing pieces on developments in financial markets as well as various options for addressing the current problems in the mortgage and financial markets. There may be opportunities to participate in other aspects of the division’s work. The position involves writing CBO studies of similar issues, drafting testimonies, and carrying out original economic research. CBO staff regularly publish the results of their research in professional journals.

Qualifications: Candidates must have a Ph.D. or equivalent. Economists who have a broad range of policy interests are encouraged to apply. Candidates must have a strong track record of writing about complex economic issues for a nontechnical audience. Excellent interpersonal and quantitative skills are essential. Successful candidates will be able to work independently and complete work in a timely manner.

Salary & Benefits: Salary is competitive and will be commensurate with experience, education, and other qualifications. CBO offers an excellent benefits package and an attractive work environment.

How to Apply: Please submit the following items using CBO's job application system:

• Cover Letter
• Résumé
• Salary History
• Unofficial Academic Transcripts (if new or recent graduate)
• Contact Information for Three References
• Two Writing Samples

The Macroeconomic Analysis Division is seeking an empirical macroeconomist with a major field in financial economics.

The Macroeconomic Analysis Division advises the Congress about the macroeconomic effects of federal fiscal policy, analyzes emerging developments in financial markets and the economy, prepares CBO’s semi-annual economic forecast, and helps prepare CBO’s estimates of the subsidy costs of financial programs of the federal government. In the coming year, the division anticipates carrying out analyses of various options for addressing the current problems in the mortgage and financial markets, different approaches for controlling greenhouse gas emissions, and alternative reforms of the nation’s health care system. The position involves writing CBO studies of similar issues, drafting testimonies, and carrying out original economic research. CBO staff regularly publish the results of their research in professional journals.

Qualifications: Candidates must have a Ph.D. or equivalent experience. Economists who have a broad range of policy interests and a strong research agenda are encouraged to apply. Special consideration will be given to candidates who have modeled financial markets or financial instruments or have studied the impact of financial markets on real economic activity. Excellent interpersonal, writing, and quantitative skills, and the ability to communicate technical material in a clear manner, are essential. Successful candidates will be able to work independently and complete work in a timely manner.

Salary & Benefits: Salary is competitive and will be commensurate with experience, education, and other qualifications. CBO offers an excellent benefits package and an attractive work environment.

How to Apply: Please submit the following items using CBO's job application system:

• Cover Letter
• Résumé
• Salary History
• Unofficial Academic Transcripts (if new or recent graduate)
• Letters of Recommendation
• Short Writing Sample

The Budget Analysis Division seeks health analysts to focus on components of Medicare, especially prescription drugs, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and the Public Health Service.

CBO’s health analysts work closely with key Congressional staff on the development of federal health care policy. Analysts will prepare multiyear spending projections for federal civilian health programs, analyze the Administration’s budget proposals, and prepare cost estimates for legislation being considered by the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Legislation may encompass a wide range of initiatives affecting the financing or delivery of health care services, including proposals to modify existing benefits in the Medicaid or Medicare prescription drug programs, finance long-term care initiatives, expand health insurance coverage, and extend patents for drugs.

The Congress relies on such analyses to prepare its annual budget plan, evaluate the President's budgetary proposals, and measure the potential budgetary impact of policy proposals. Individual CBO analysts have wide-ranging responsibilities and often play a significant role in the legislative and budget process.

Qualifications: Applicants should have a graduate degree in public policy, public administration, public health, economics, or a related field. The position requires a person with strong skills in quantitative methods, a strong interest in health policy, and:

• The aptitude to develop and maintain simulation models for analysis of health policies;

• The ability to clearly explain and defend analytic results orally and in writing to colleagues, Congressional staff, Members of Congress, and the public;

• The ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, frequently under tight deadlines; and

• The desire to make a visible and direct contribution to the development of health policy in a nonpartisan setting. Experience in policy analysis, knowledge of health care financing issues, familiarity with Medicare, Medicaid, or other federal health programs, and understanding of prescription drug markets is desired.

Salary & Benefits: Salary is competitive and will be commensurate with related experience, education, and other qualifications. CBO offers an excellent benefits package and an attractive work environment.

How to Apply: Please submit the following items using CBO's job application system:

• Cover Letter
• Résumé
• Salary History
• Unofficial Academic Transcripts (if new or recent graduate)
• Contact Information for Three References
• Short Writing Sample

The Health and Human Resources Division is seeking health economists and health policy analysts.

The Health and Human Resources Division provides the Congress with analyses in the areas of health, income security, education, and employment. In the health area, topics span a range of areas from the large, federally sponsored health programs to the operation and regulation of the private health insurance market. Projects addressing the high level and growth rate of healthcare costs are especially relevant. Current and recently completed studies include an examination of critical issues in modifying the current health insurance system, the potential impact of health information technology on system performance and cost, the impact of preventive services on health status and spending, the effect of current and past obesity on health care costs, and an international comparison of health care systems. Other health policy studies are examining the circumstances of individuals without health insurance and analyzing drug patent challenges and the timing of generic entry.

The successful candidate will contribute to the full range of the division's responsibilities. Those include preparing longer term CBO studies and shorter term memoranda and testimonies, performing detailed analyses of proposed legislation, and assessing the impact on the private sector of a variety of legislative initiatives.

Qualifications: Applicants should have a strong quantitative background, excellent writing skills, and a desire to work on issues of current legislative interest to the Congress. Applicants should also have a Ph.D. in economics or a related discipline; applicants with master’s degrees and substantial experience may be considered. Several years of experience in health policy are preferred but not required.

Salary & Benefits: Salary is competitive and will be commensurate with experience, education, and other qualifications. CBO offers an excellent benefits package and an attractive work environment.

How to Apply: Please submit the following items using CBO's job application system:

• Cover Letter
• Résumé
• Salary History
• Unofficial Academic Transcripts (if new or recent graduate)
• Letters of Recommendation
• Short Writing Sample

The Macroeconomic Analysis Division is seeking a senior economist with a background in macroeconomic forecasting.

The Macroeconomic Analysis Division advises the Congress about the current state of the economy and financial markets and about likely economic developments, and produces the economic forecast on which the budget calculations are based. It also advises Congress about the likely macroeconomic effects of federal fiscal policy. The position requires writing CBO studies for Members of Congress and their staffs, as well as carrying out original research. CBO staff regularly publish research in professional journals.

Qualifications: Candidates must have at least ten years of experience in forecasting macroeconomic developments and familiarity with both model-based and judgment-based economic forecasting. A Ph.D. in economics or equivalent experience, a deep interest in contributing to the policy debate, and the ability to work well in a fluid policy environment are also necessary. The position will involve considerable writing for lay audiences, so the ability to communicate technical material in a clear manner is essential. Successful candidates will be able to work both independently and as the senior member of a team.

Salary & Benefits: Salary is competitive and will be commensurate with experience, education, and other qualifications. CBO offers an excellent benefits package and an attractive work environment.

How to Apply: Please submit the following items using CBO's job application system:

• Cover Letter
• Résumé
• Salary History
• Unofficial Academic Transcripts (if new or recent graduate)
• Contact Information for Three References
• Short Writing Sample

CBO seeks an experienced Web Content Editor and Designer to create and manage content across the agency’s various Web platforms. Responsibilities include visual design, usability testing, and identifying and creating content that effectively communicates the agency’s work to the Congress and the public.

This individual will work closely with all CBO stakeholders to continually harvest new content for all sites and to present CBO’s information and analysis in new and different ways to reach broad audiences across various platforms. The individual will work with CBO staff and others who are responsible for developing the sites and will develop and manage processes and schedules to update and refresh site content.

Qualifications: Candidates should have at least five years’ experience writing, editing, and designing content for Web sites, the ability to understand overall site identity and strategy as they relate to organizational mission, and an understanding of Web publishing software and other multimedia materials. Knowledge and understanding of current economic and public policy issues related to CBO’s mission are required, and familiarity with the legislative process is preferred. Superior project management and communication skills, strong initiative, proven experience meeting deadlines, and the ability to work with all levels of staff and the public also are required. Applicants should be committed to a customer service and team-oriented work environment.

Salary & Benefits: Salary is competitive and will be commensurate with experience, education, and other qualifications. CBO offers an excellent benefits package and an attractive work environment.

How to Apply: Please submit the following items using CBO's job application system:

• Cover Letter
• Résumé
• Salary History
• Contact Information for Three References

The Tax Analysis Division is seeking an economist to conduct research and analyses on a broad range of federal tax policy issues.

The Tax Analysis Division is responsible for projecting federal revenues as part of the Congressional Budget Office’s official ten-year budget "baseline" and providing the Congress with analysis and evaluation of the effects of past and proposed changes to federal tax policies. Ongoing and recently completed studies by the division include analyses of the economic effects of legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, tax preferences for collegiate sports, tax arbitrage and higher education, the distribution of federal taxes and household income, the income tax treatment of charitable contributions, the deductibility of state and local taxes, the incidence of corporate taxes, the payroll tax base for non-corporate businesses, and retirement saving incentives.

The position offers the opportunity to conduct empirical research, develop economic models, and write various reports including CBO studies, policy briefs, and testimonies. Staff members are encouraged to actively participate in the policy research community by presenting papers at conferences and publishing articles in professional journals.

Qualifications: Applicants should have a Ph.D. or the equivalent professional experience in economics or a related discipline and a proven record of accomplishment. They also should have strong quantitative skills, the ability to initiate and complete research projects independently and as a member of a team, the ability to clearly present their work orally and in writing to non-technical audiences, and a desire to work on issues of current or potential legislative interest to the Congress.

Salary & Benefits: Salary is competitive and will be commensurate with experience, education, and other qualifications. CBO offers excellent benefits and an attractive work environment.

How to Apply: Please submit the following items using CBO's job application system:

• Cover Letter
• Résumé
• Salary History
• Unofficial Academic Transcripts (if new or recent graduate)
• Letters of Recommendation
• Short Writing Sample

The Health and Human Resources Division is seeking to fill the position of Chief of the Income Security and Employment Unit.

That unit provides the Congress with analyses related to federal programs and policies in the areas of cash and in-kind assistance for low-income people, Social Security and private pensions, income sources and trends, employment and unemployment, and education and training. Products include longer-term CBO studies, shorter-term memoranda and testimonies, and detailed analyses of proposed legislation.

The successful candidate will work with Ph.D.-level analysts in the Unit to plan and implement policy analyses and research projects, and work to improve the quality and accessibility of those products. They will also work on CBO products of their own.

Qualifications: The position requires a person with outstanding leadership, research, and management skills. The successful candidate must have the ability to motivate and direct a strong professional staff. Solid communication skills are essential, especially the ability to communicate technical material in a clear and concise manner both orally and in writing. The successful candidate must also have an extensive research portfolio on topics within the unit’s policy areas, and a desire to work on issues of current legislative interest to the Congress. Applicants should have a Ph.D. in economics or a related discipline.

Salary & Benefits: Salary is competitive and will be commensurate with experience, education, and other qualifications. CBO offers an excellent benefits package and an attractive work environment.

How to Apply: Please submit the following items using CBO's job application system:

• Cover Letter
• Résumé
• Salary History
• Contact Information for Three References
• Short Writing Sample