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Assistant Analyst

Congressional Budget Office
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The Congressional Budget Office, a small nonpartisan agency that provides economic, policy, and budgetary analysis to the Congress, is seeking assistant analysts to work in various divisions. Specific duties vary by division, but most assistant analysts provide research assistance, conduct statistical analyses and literature reviews, help maintain databases, and perform quality assurance reviews. 

Qualifications

Candidates for assistant analyst must have or be on track to receive a bachelor’s degree by June 2024 and have a strong academic background in at least one of the following disciplines: economics, mathematics, statistics, finance, computer science, policy analysis, or a related field. Economics coursework is required. 

The position also requires the following:

  • Strong quantitative skills; 
  • Attention to detail and strong written and oral communication skills;
  • Perseverance, the ability to work both independently and collaboratively, and a desire to work on issues of current interest to the Congress; and 
  • Experience with Excel and other Microsoft Office products. (Proficiency with at least one statistical software package or programming language—such as Python, MATLAB, Stata, R, or SAS—is preferred for some positions.)

This is an entry-level position limited to three years. The position is ideal for those seeking substantive work experience before pursuing postgraduate study in economics, public policy, law, or other analytical fields. People who have or are completing a master’s degree are not eligible. 

Divisions Seeking Analysts

Following are details about the work of the divisions at CBO that have assistant analyst positions available:

  • The Budget Analysis Division develops multiyear budget projections as well as cost estimates for nearly every bill approved by Congressional committees. The division’s Low-Income Health Programs and Prescription Drugs Cost Estimates Unit is seeking an assistant analyst to work primarily on estimates related to federal programs that operate through private markets for health insurance, including the health insurance marketplaces and employment-based insurance. The division’s Scorekeeping Unit and its Projections Unit are jointly seeking an assistant analyst who will work with both units. The Scorekeeping Unit coordinates cost estimates for appropriation legislation, tracks the cost of newly enacted laws, and prepares reports that the Congress uses to enforce rules and procedures for the budget process. The Projections Unit coordinates multiyear budget projections and prepares reports describing and analyzing those projections. Together the Scorekeeping and Projections units maintain the databases that underlie the Budget Analysis Division’s analyses and ensure the integrity of the data in those databases. 
  • The Health Analysis Division produces reports on aspects of Medicare and Medicaid policy, subsidies provided through health insurance exchanges, and other health policy issues. The division also plays a key role when the Congress is considering changes to health care programs; the division estimates the costs of those proposed changes. Assistant analysts provide research assistance and technical support to the economists and public policy analysts in the division. Typical work products include statistical analyses, programming support, literature reviews, and quality assurance reviews.
  • The Labor, Income Security, and Long-Term Analysis Division analyzes a range of federal programs and policies, including Social Security and programs related to education and income security. The division is also responsible for CBO’s long-term budget projections and the agency’s long-term microsimulation model. Assistant analysts provide research assistance and technical support to the economists in the division. Typical work products include statistical analyses, programming support, literature reviews, and quality assurance reviews.
  • The Macroeconomic Analysis Division analyzes current economic conditions, develops CBO’s economic forecast, and analyzes the economic effects of fiscal policy. Assistant analysts prepare materials for CBO’s publications, maintain the division’s models and databases, and assist with data collection and economic analysis for the division’s projects.
  • The Tax Analysis Division projects federal revenues, using economic models and microsimulation techniques; analyzes the distribution of income; and examines how changes in tax law affect the behavior of taxpayers and the overall economy. Assistant analysts develop projections of certain revenue sources, estimate the effects of selected legislative proposals on revenues, and assist with other analyses.