Job Opportunities

The Microeconomic Studies Division is seeking an analyst to work as a part of its Private Sector Mandates Unit. The primary responsibility of mandate analysts is to prepare estimates of the effects of federal legislation on the private sector. A required part of the legislative process, the results of these analyses are reported directly to the Congress for consideration during its deliberations, as well as made available publicly. This is an opportunity to be involved in carrying out CBO's responsibilities under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.

The Microeconomic Studies Division is responsible for researching and analyzing the economic effects of governmental policies and regulations on the private sector. Analytical areas include agriculture, commerce, energy and natural resources, the environment, federal personnel, intellectual property, public investment in infrastructure and science, telecommunications, transportation, and trade. Analysts in the Private-Sector Mandates Unit prepare statements on the impact of legislation in those areas and monitor and evaluate bills as they move through the legislative process. Analysts may also participate in studies on current policy issues.

Qualifications: Candidates should have a Master’s degree in public policy, economics, or a related field; or equivalent experience. The position requires a person who has the ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and complete projects under tight deadlines. The candidate should have a strong quantitative orientation with an ability to gather suitable data to address policy questions. The position also requires a person who can work well as a part of a team. Candidates should have the ability to clearly present their work orally and in writing. Training or experience in industry or regulatory analysis, or experience with the legislative process, is desirable but not required.

In addition, candidates should have a desire to work on issues of current interest to the Congress, the ability to accurately interpret and analyze legislative proposals, and be adept at using spreadsheets, and database software.

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 Budget Analysis Division is seeking an analyst to work in its State and Local Cost Estimates Unit.

This is an opportunity to be involved in supporting and carrying out CBO’s responsibilities under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act. The mandate cost estimates prepared by the State and Local Unit play a critical role in the consideration of legislation by Congress. The unit works closely with Congressional staff and representatives of state, local, and tribal governments, acting as a key link in the legislative process to identify and quantify the effects of federal legislation on other levels of government.

The analyst’s primary responsibilities will include:

• Estimating the impact of federal legislation on the budgets of state, local, and tribal governments;

• Preparing special studies about proposed legislation, and responding to inquiries from Congress and the public;

• Tracking and analyzing financial data from state and local governments.

Qualifications: The ideal candidate is adept at searching out sometimes hard-to-find information that will help explain the potential effects of legislation and able to distill that information into a concise, readable format. Candidates for this position must be able to accurately interpret and analyze legislative proposals and should have a Master’s degree in public policy, public administration, economics, or a related field. Familiarity with state or local finance is desirable. This position requires someone with a strong quantitative orientation and, because the pace is closely tied to the flow of legislative activity on Capitol Hill, the ability to write well and complete projects under tight deadlines.

Salary & Benefits: Salary is 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 seeks candidates for an immediate opening for an assistant analyst.

The National Security Division prepares analyses of defense policies and programs to support the work of Congressional Committees. The division’s recent work includes the budget needed to maintain today’s military forces and the ability of the U.S. Army and Marine Corps to sustain the occupation of Iraq.

The successful candidate will provide the division’s analysts with spreadsheet and statistical analyses, graphics, literature reviews, and other research assistance. He or she may also conduct independent research on a variety of topics.

Qualifications: The position requires a person who can work well with a number of senior staff members, take initiative to gather suitable data to address policy questions, and complete assignments in a timely manner. Candidates should have strong quantitative and writing skills, be adept at using spreadsheets and basic graphics software, and desire to work on issues of current interest to the Congress. Candidates should have a bachelor’s degree in economics, mathematics, physics, chemistry, engineering or a related discipline. This position requires U.S. citizenship; the incumbent will be required to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.

Salary & Benefits: Salary range is $36,000 - $43,000 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
• Unofficial Academic Transcripts (if new or recent graduate)
• Contact Information for Three References
• Short Writing Sample

CBO seeks to fill the senior executive position responsible for directing the agency’s Management, Business, and Information Services (MBIS) Division, which has a staff of approximately 35 people.

The Management, Business, and Information Services Division provides support services to CBO's other divisions, including budget and finance, human resources, information technology, facilities management, and library services. The division also provides editorial and publishing services.

Qualifications: The ideal candidate would have a proven track record as an executive in the areas of agency management, budget, financial management, human resources, production of publications, and information resources. Strong communication, analytical, and interpersonal skills are required and candidates should have a bachelor’s or an advanced degree. The position requires the ability to formulate, communicate, and direct human resources and administrative policies for the entire staff of analysts and managers, many of whom have advanced degrees in economics, public policy or related disciplines. You must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance. To ensure consideration, external candidates should submit an application by September 15, 2008.

Salary & Benefits: Salary is competitive with Executive Branch levels for senior executive positions 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 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, or economics is required. 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
• Unofficial Academic Transcripts (if new or recent graduate)
• Contact Information for Three References
• Short Writing Sample

CBO seeks an attorney to fill the position of Deputy General Counsel, one of two positions in the Office of General Counsel.

The Deputy assists the General Counsel in providing legal advice to CBO’s management and staff concerning a broad range of legal issues. These include the interpretation and evaluation of legislative proposals under the Congressional Budget Act and related statutes; advising on areas of the law addressed in analytical reports prepared by CBO for the Congress; and formal and informal advice and assistance in all the general areas of law affecting CBO, such as appropriations, ethics, personnel and employment, procurement, and intellectual property. In performing these duties, the Deputy has contact with government officials at various levels, the private bar, the public, and Congressional staff members.

Qualifications: Candidates for this position must have graduated from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and be a member in good standing of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico bar. Candidates should have the ability to:

• research and analyze complex factual and legal issues, and to present legally sound results in a clear, precise, and persuasive manner, orally and in writing, and with sensitivity to appropriate language and tone for the intended recipient or audience;

• produce written work products in a number of formats, including regulations, legal memoranda, memoranda of understanding, correspondence, and draft legislation; and

• provide a full range of legal advice and support arising from a variety of statutes and programs.

Applicants will be evaluated on their total background including experience, education, awards, and training. Candidates whose practice has included experience with a variety of laws rather than a narrow specialty and/or who have knowledge of budget and appropriation law will receive closer consideration.

Candidates must be US citizens and able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.

Salary & Benefits: Salary is competitive with salaries in the Executive Branch 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
• Contact Information for Three References

CBO’s Projections Unit seeks an experienced financial analyst to help analyze activities related to the federal government’s participation in financial markets, with particular emphasis on the recently enacted program to provide assistance through purchases of assets in those markets.

Specific responsibilities of the position will include:

• Analyzing data on mortgage-backed securities and other financial assets acquired by the Department of the Treasury through the new Troubled Assets Relief Program;

• Developing and updating models to estimate the effect of the Treasury’s purchases, management, and sales of such assets on the federal budget;

• Monitoring and analyzing developments in the credit and debt markets, including an assessment of how market risks may affect the Treasury program’s net costs;

• Preparing, writing, and reviewing material for CBO publications and testimony, including the annual Budget and Economic Outlook and semi-annual CBO reports on the new Treasury program; and

• Evaluating the potential budget effects of future Congressional action involving the financial markets, and providing information about proposed budget alternatives to the Congress.

Qualifications: The ideal candidate would have significant experience in the financial markets; a master's degree in finance, public administration, mathematics, economics, or a similar field; very strong quantitative skills; facility with spreadsheet and other software (such as Access, Visual Basic, and SAS); 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 with public service positions 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 Budget Analysis Division seeks health analysts to focus on components of Medicare, especially prescription drugs, Medicaid, the State 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. The division is actively increasing the scope of its efforts in health policy. Topics span a range of areas from the large, federally sponsored health programs to the operation and regulation of the private health insurance market. Studies currently underway 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 Budget Analysis Division seeks a financial analyst with experience in the area of housing credit. The Congress relies on CBO 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.

The new housing finance analyst will be responsible for monitoring and reporting on the activities of the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) concerned with housing credit: Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks. The analyst will work primarily on analyzing assistance provided to those GSEs under authority granted to the Department of the Treasury this summer. Other responsibilities may include tracking the Treasury’s new program to purchase mortgage-backed securities and the recently enacted Troubled Assets Relief Program. The analyst will contribute to CBO’s multiyear baseline projections for these programs and help prepare cost estimates of legislation being considered by the Congress.

Qualifications: Applicants should have at least three to five years of experience (with growing responsibilities) working with one of the housing GSEs, a financial services firm, or a capital markets regulator, and:

• A thorough understanding of the economics and financial accounting for mortgage loans, mortgage-backed securities, derivatives, and other debt securities;

• The ability to interpret and analyze the GSEs’ financial reports;

• Extensive experience using and creating spreadsheet models to forecast industry trends; and

• A working knowledge of the accounting rules and federal regulations that apply to the GSEs.

Applicants should have a graduate degree in business, finance, public administration, economics, or accounting. This position requires a person with outstanding written and oral communications skills, and the ability to concisely explain and defend analytic results to colleagues, Congressional staff, Members of Congress, and the public. The ideal candidate will have a strong desire to make a visible and direct contribution to the development of housing and financial policies in a nonpartisan setting.

Salary & Benefits: Salary is competitive with public service positions 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 an experienced labor economist with an interest in analyzing a broad range of policies and programs affecting employment and income security.

The Health and Human Resources Division provides the Congress with analyses in the areas of health, employment, income security, and education. Ongoing and recently-completed projects in the employment and income security areas include trends in the distribution of income, earnings, and wage rates; the effects of recent turmoil in financial markets on retirement security; the variability of individual earnings and household income; the concentration of unemployment among long-term jobless people; and changes in the economic resources of low-income households with children. The successful candidate will contribute to the full range of the division's responsibilities, including the development and implementation of major research projects of use to the Congress. Products include longer-term CBO studies, shorter-term memoranda and testimonies, and detailed analyses of proposed legislation.

Qualifications: Applicants should have a Ph.D. in economics or a related discipline and a proven record of accomplishment. They also should have a strong quantitative background, the ability to clearly present their work orally and in writing to non-technical audiences, and a desire to work on issues of current legislative interest to the Congress. 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

The Macroeconomic Analysis Division is seeking an economist with a background in macroeconomics, labor economics, and/or health.

The Macroeconomic Analysis Division advises the Congress about the macroeconomic effects of federal fiscal policy. It analyzes the possible economic effects of the President’s proposals each year, and regularly reports on current economic issues. Looking forward, we anticipate a significant increase in demand for analysis of health care proposals, and the successful candidate would play a major role in helping to analyze the macroeconomic effects of those proposals. The position requires writing CBO studies for Members of Congress and their staffs, as well as carrying out original research. CBO staff regularly publish similar research in professional journals.

Qualifications: Candidates must have a Ph.D. or equivalent and have demonstrated excellence in carrying out original research in macroeconomics, labor markets, and/or health. Because the position involves working at the intersection of those three fields, the successful candidates must be comfortable working in at least two of the three. The position will involve considerable writing for lay audiences, so the ability to communicate technical material in a clear manner is essential. A deep interest in contributing to the policy debate and the ability to work well in a fluid policy environment are also necessary.

Salary & Benefits: Please submit a cover letter, résumé, salary history, a brief writing sample, and contact information for three (3) references online at www.cbo.gov/employment/jobs.cfm. Recent graduates should submit an unofficial copy of academic transcripts and letters of recommendation in place of the reference contact list.

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
• Letters of Recommendation
• Short Writing Sample

The Macroeconomic Analysis Division is seeking several macroeconomists with fields in banking, public finance, labor economics, housing, or econometrics.

The Macroeconomic Analysis Division advises the Congress about the macroeconomic effects of federal fiscal policy, analyzes emerging developments in financial markets and the economy, and prepares CBO’s semi-annual economic forecast. 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 publishes 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. Special consideration will be given to candidates who have strong econometric skills, experience building and using stochastic dynamic equilibrium models, and familiarity with micro data. 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. CBO has strict citizenship requirements; non-citizens should visit the CBO website, www.cbo.gov/employment/citizen.shtml, to determine eligibility before applying.

Salary & Benefits: Please submit a cover letter, résumé, salary history, a brief writing sample, and contact information for three (3) references online at www.cbo.gov/employment/jobs.cfm. Recent graduates should submit an unofficial copy of academic transcripts and letters of recommendation.

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
• Letters of Recommendation
• Short Writing Sample

The Health and Human Resources Division is seeking a Programmer/ Analyst.

The Health and Human Resources Division provides the Congress with analyses in the areas of health, income security, education, and employment. Ongoing and recently completed projects 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 effect of current and past obesity on health care costs, the variability over time of individual earnings and household income, the effects of recent turmoil in financial markets on retirement security; and changes in the economic resources of low-income households with children.

The successful candidate will work with senior economists on a range of specific projects. Responsibilities include: assembling databases; performing analyses using large micro-data files; modeling proposed changes in federal programs and policies; and creating and operating microsimulation models. Commonly used databases include the Current Population Survey, the Survey of Income and Program Participation, the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, and Medicare and Medicaid claims files.

Qualifications: Candidates should have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Economics, Public Policy, or a related discipline. They should also be proficient in SAS and/or STATA. Prior experience with the above-mentioned data sets would be a definite advantage. Candidates should have a strong interest in federal policies and programs related to health care, income support, and education.

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 Long-Term Modeling Group in the Health and Human Resources Division seeks an economist who will help integrate health status and health care expenditures into a large-scale micro-simulation model and conduct research in the health area. The model provides the basis for analyzing economic well-being of individuals across and within cohorts as well as projected budget outcomes, with a special focus on Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. Research could encompass areas such as factors that drive health cost growth, characteristics of high-cost Medicare beneficiaries, or the correlation of health expenditures within families.

Qualifications: The group seeks an individual with excellent quantitative skills that span both macro and micro data analysis, a willingness to learn micro-simulation modeling, and the ability to write for non-technical audiences. Candidates should have a PhD in economics, and experience in health economics is preferred.

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’s Macroeconomic Analysis Division seeks to fill the position of Chief of the Fiscal Policy Studies Unit. That unit analyzes and describes the likely macroeconomic effects of fiscal policies, using several dynamic general equilibrium models that it designs, builds and maintains.

Qualifications: The division seeks an individual with three core competencies: understanding of the design and implementation of stochastic dynamic models (including representative and heterogeneous agent models); ability to direct and motivate a research staff; and proven ability to write for a non-technical audience and to manage such writing. Candidates should have formal qualifications or experience that allows them to lead a staff of PhD economists.

To ensure consideration, candidates should submit an application by October 7, 2008.

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