Defense and Veterans Analyst

The Congressional Budget Office is a small nonpartisan agency that provides economic and budgetary analyses to the Congress. CBO’s Budget Analysis Division seeks an analyst in its Defense, International Affairs, and Veterans’ Affairs Cost Estimates Unit primarily to cover programs that provide education and vocational rehabilitation programs for veterans. Over time, that analyst’s portfolio could expand to include other benefit programs for veterans and military personnel and other defense-related issues.

CBO’s analysts have wide-ranging responsibilities, and they often contribute significantly to the legislative and budget process by preparing multiyear budget projections and cost estimates for pending legislation. Their work requires extensive contact with key Congressional staff, agency officials, and other CBO staff. The Congress relies on CBO’s analyses to prepare its annual budget plans, evaluate the President’s budget proposals, and measure the potential budgetary consequences of policy proposals.

The analyst will estimate the costs of legislative proposals to provide veterans with education, training, and rehabilitation benefits. The analyst also may develop estimates for proposals affecting loan guarantees for veterans and members of the armed services and work on other projects related to veteran and defense issues. Estimates may address the cost of changes to the Post-9/11 GI Bill, trends in spending on higher education, and changes in the beneficiary population.

Applicants must hold a graduate degree in public policy, economics, or a related discipline with an economic and quantitative background. The position requires the following:

·       U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain top secret security clearance;

·       Strong quantitative skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Excel;

·       Resourcefulness in investigating unfamiliar issues; and

·       Superior written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical material to nonspecialists.

Preferred skills include the following:

·       Familiarity with programs, policies, and procedures of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense; and

·       Experience with policy development and budget formulation and execution.

Salaries at CBO are competitive with those at other organizations and commensurate with experience, education, and other qualifications. CBO offers excellent benefits and a collegial, respectful work environment.

Annita Gulati Cox, Washington, DC, 202-226-2628, careers@cbo.gov.