As part of the Editing and Publishing Services unit, CBO’s editors help ensure that the agency’s reports, presentations, and other publications are clear and accessible to a broad audience. That audience includes Members of Congress, Congressional staff, researchers, journalists, and other members of the public, who look to CBO’s nonpartisan analyses to understand the effects of policy decisions on the federal budget and the economy. Projects cover issues related to the federal budget, including such topics as demographic changes, flooding risks, prescription drugs, and weapons systems. Editors handle a range of projects and work with economists, policy analysts, and other technical experts across the agency. In addition to copyediting and proofreading, editors routinely engage in substantive editing, which may include working with authors to reorganize drafts and rewrite portions of drafts. They also work with graphics editors to ensure that charts and graphs tell the story of the research. Editors have followed varied career paths to CBO, coming from academia, journalism, magazine publishing, nonprofits, government, and freelance editing. But they have in common the commitment to understanding complicated ideas—and the ability to convey those ideas in straightforward language.  

A bachelor's or advanced degree, preferably in journalism, English, communications, or another field within the humanities;

At least three years of professional experience in editing publications similar to those produced at CBO—that is, books, reports, magazine and journal articles, or other publications covering serious subjects in careful detail;

  

This entry-level position is limited to a three-year term but has the potential to transition to a permanent position. It could be ideal for people looking to launch a career in editing, policy, or journalism. Assistant editors are trained and mentored by a staff of veteran editors and graphics editors whose career paths include academia, journalism, magazine publishing, nonprofits, government, and freelance editing and design. Much of the work is done independently and involves communicating with colleagues via email and Microsoft Teams chats and meetings. But by working on-site two days a week, assistant editors have the opportunity to interact in person with economists and other experts across the agency, including a cohort of assistant analysts gaining work experience before pursuing postgraduate study.