The Health, Retirement, and Long-Term Analysis Division is seeking a Programmer/Analyst to work with senior economists on a range of specific projects.    The division provides the Congress with analyses in the areas of health, disability, and retirement and leads CBO’s long-term modeling initiatives. Recently, the division has estimated the effects of the Affordable Care Act on insurance coverage and federal health care spending, analyzed the impact of an increase in the excise tax on tobacco for health and the federal budget, determined the offsetting effects of prescription drug use on Medicare’s spending for medical services, assessed policy options for the Social Security Disability Insurance program, and analyzed the long-term outlook for the federal budget.     Responsibilities include: assembling databases, performing analyses using large micro-data files, modeling proposed changes in federal programs and policies, and developing and updating  microsimulation models in collaboration with researchers. Commonly used databases include the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey, the Health and Retirement Study, the Current Population Survey, the National Health Interview Survey, the Survey of Income and Program Participation, the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, and Medicare and Medicaid enrollment and claims files.   Qualifications The position requires a person with at least a bachelor’s degree who is proficient in SAS. Experience with STATA is also desirable.  At a minimum, applicants should have 3 years of prior programming experience using both survey and administrative data sets, including at least some of those listed above. Applicants without experience using Medicare/Medicaid data sets must have experience using several survey data sets. They should also have statistical computing skills, experience working as part of a research team, and a strong interest in federal policies and programs related to health care and income security. Prior experience with microsimulation modeling would be beneficial.   Salary and Benefits Salary is competitive and will be commensurate with experience, education, and other qualifications. CBO offers excellent benefits and an appealing work environment.   How to Apply Please submit a cover letter, résumé, salary history, a brief writing sample and contact information for three (3) references online. Recent graduates should submit an unofficial copy of academic transcripts and have letters of recommendation sent to  careers@cbo.gov  in place of the references. This position is governed by the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act, as made applicable by the Congressional Accountability Act, as amended.   Because this position is covered by the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act, the following categories of people may be eligible for preference in the hiring process relative to other applicants: veterans who have separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after serving on active duty in the armed forces during a war, in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized, or during particular defined periods; disabled veterans; and the mother, spouse, or unmarried widow or widower of certain veterans.   To claim this preference, an applicant must identify himself or herself as eligible for veterans' preference in the Self-Identification for Veterans' Preference section of the application and must complete and submit a  Veterans' Preference Eligibility Form  together with the supporting documentation specified on that form within two weeks of applying. Applicants may obtain a copy of CBO's Veterans' Preference in Appointments policy by submitting a written request to  careers@cbo.gov .   Contact Nancy A. Fahey, Washington, DC, 202-226-2628,  careers@cbo.gov   EEO M/F/V/D

     

The Health, Retirement, and Long-Term Analysis Division is seeking a health economist to contribute to a variety of projects and analyses in the health area. Recently completed studies include: multiple analyses of the effects of the Affordable Care Act on insurance coverage and federal health care spending; a review of the results of Medicare demonstration projects on disease management and care coordination; an assessment of the effects of prescription drug use on Medicare spending for medical services; a study of the characteristics, health care spending, and health care delivery arrangements of dually eligible Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries; and an assessment of the future demand for long-term services and supports by elderly people. Ongoing and potential future topics for analysis include drivers of health care cost growth, effects of competition in the health care system, and factors influencing the supply and price of health care services.    The successful candidate will contribute to the full range of the division's responsibilities. Those responsibilities include preparing longer-term CBO studies and shorter-term memoranda and testimonies, performing detailed analyses of proposed legislation, and constructing and improving models that underlie CBO’s policy analyses.  Analysts are also encouraged to turn projects or independent research into CBO working papers or outside publications.    Qualifications Applicants should have a strong quantitative background, excellent writing skills, and a desire to work as part of a team on issues of current legislative interest to the Congress. Applicants should also have a Ph.D. in economics or a related discipline, and prior experience in health policy analysis.    Salary and Benefits Salary is competitive and will be commensurate with experience, education, and other qualifications. CBO offers excellent benefits and an appealing work environment.   How to Apply Please submit a cover letter, résumé, salary history, a brief writing sample and contact information for three (3) references online. Recent graduates should submit an unofficial copy of academic transcripts and have letters of recommendation sent to careers@cbo.gov in place of the references. This position is governed by the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act, as made applicable by the Congressional Accountability Act, as amended.   Because this position is covered by the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act, the following categories of people may be eligible for preference in the hiring process relative to other applicants: veterans who have separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after serving on active duty in the armed forces during a war, in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized, or during particular defined periods; disabled veterans; and the mother, spouse, or unmarried widow or widower of certain veterans.   To claim this preference, an applicant must identify himself or herself as eligible for veterans' preference in the Self-Identification for Veterans' Preference section of the application and must complete and submit a Veterans' Preference Eligibility Form together with the supporting documentation specified on that form within two weeks of applying. Applicants may obtain a copy of CBO's Veterans' Preference in Appointments policy by submitting a written request to careers@cbo.gov .   Contact Nancy A. Fahey, Washington, DC, 202-226-2628, careers@cbo.gov  

     

The Health, Retirement, and Long-Term Analysis Division is seeking a health economist with a strong interest in the budgetary implications of health policies and a proven ability to write about such issues for non-technical audiences. Examples of recently completed studies by the Division include: multiple analyses of the effects of the Affordable Care Act on insurance coverage and federal health care spending; an assessment of the effects of prescription drug use on Medicare spending for medical services; and a study of the characteristics, health care spending, and health care delivery arrangements of dually eligible Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. Ongoing and potential future topics for analysis include drivers of health care cost growth, effects of competition in the health care system, and factors influencing the supply and price of health care services.    The focus of this position is on writing about complex issues of health policy, which involves working with individuals and teams of analysts at CBO who are conducting research in these areas to frame, draft, and edit reports for non-technical and non-academic audiences. The position may involve conducting original research on and analysis of health policy issues, but the primary focus will be on drafting reports and other written products (such as Congressional testimony) in collaboration with analysts who are technical experts on a broad range of topics. CBO has very high standards for the accuracy, precision, clarity, and objectivity of its written work.    Qualifications Candidates with a Ph.D. in economics or equivalent and considerable experience in health policy analysis will be given preference. Others with a master’s degree in economics or a related field with the appropriate health policy analysis background and experience are also encouraged to apply. Candidates must have a strong track record of writing about complex health policy issues for non-technical audiences, generally requiring several years of experience with such work. Excellent interpersonal and quantitative skills are essential. Successful candidates will be able to work independently and complete assignments in a timely manner.   Salary and Benefits Salary is competitive and will be commensurate with experience, education, and other qualifications. CBO offers excellent benefits and an appealing work environment.   How to Apply Please submit a cover letter, résumé, salary history, a brief writing sample and contact information for three (3) references online. Recent graduates should submit an unofficial copy of academic transcripts and have letters of recommendation sent to  careers@cbo.gov  in place of the references. This position is governed by the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act, as made applicable by the Congressional Accountability Act, as amended.   Because this position is covered by the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act, the following categories of people may be eligible for preference in the hiring process relative to other applicants: veterans who have separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after serving on active duty in the armed forces during a war, in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized, or during particular defined periods; disabled veterans; and the mother, spouse, or unmarried widow or widower of certain veterans.   To claim this preference, an applicant must identify himself or herself as eligible for veterans' preference in the Self-Identification for Veterans' Preference section of the application and must complete and submit a  Veterans' Preference Eligibility Form  together with the supporting documentation specified on that form within two weeks of applying. Applicants may obtain a copy of CBO's Veterans' Preference in Appointments policy by submitting a written request to  careers@cbo.gov .   Contact Nancy A. Fahey, Washington, DC, 202-226-2628,  careers@cbo.gov   EEO M/F/V/D

     

The Long-Term Analysis Unit in the Health, Retirement, and Long-Term Analysis Division seeks a labor economist to help develop and use CBO’s long-term microsimulation model and carry out research projects. The microsimulation model provides a basis for analyzing the economic well-being of individuals across and within birth cohorts as well as for projecting budget outcomes, with a special focus on Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. The unit provides the Congress with analyses in the areas of retirement, disability, and health and leads CBO’s long-term modeling initiatives. Recently, the unit has developed a state-of-the-art method for projecting individual earnings, assessed policy options for the Social Security Disability Insurance program, and analyzed the long-term outlook for the federal budget.    The successful candidate will contribute to the full range of the division's responsibilities. Those include constructing and improving models that underlie CBO’s policy analyses, performing detailed analyses of proposed legislation, and preparing longer-term CBO studies and shorter-term memoranda and testimonies.   Qualifications Applicants should have a background in labor economics, experience relevant to microsimulation modeling, and an interest in working on issues of current legislative interest to the Congress. Candidates with a Master’s degree in economics and equivalent experience will also be considered. Strong writing skills are essential. Applicants should also have a Ph.D. in economics or a closely related discipline. Both junior- and senior-level candidates will be considered.   Salary and Benefits Salary is competitive and will be commensurate with experience, education, and other qualifications. CBO offers excellent benefits and an appealing work environment.   How to Apply Please submit a cover letter, résumé, salary history, a brief writing sample and contact information for three (3) references online. Recent graduates should submit an unofficial copy of academic transcripts and have letters of recommendation sent to  careers@cbo.gov  in place of the references. This position is governed by the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act, as made applicable by the Congressional Accountability Act, as amended.   Because this position is covered by the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act, the following categories of people may be eligible for preference in the hiring process relative to other applicants: veterans who have separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after serving on active duty in the armed forces during a war, in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized, or during particular defined periods; disabled veterans; and the mother, spouse, or unmarried widow or widower of certain veterans.   To claim this preference, an applicant must identify himself or herself as eligible for veterans' preference in the Self-Identification for Veterans' Preference section of the application and must complete and submit a  Veterans' Preference Eligibility Form  together with the supporting documentation specified on that form within two weeks of applying. Applicants may obtain a copy of CBO's Veterans' Preference in Appointments policy by submitting a written request to  careers@cbo.gov .   Contact Nancy A. Fahey, Washington, DC, 202-226-2628,  careers@cbo.gov   EEO M/F/V/D

     

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 providing the Congress with analysis and evaluation of the effects of past and proposed changes to federal tax policies and for projecting federal revenues as part of the Congressional Budget Office’s official ten-year budget "baseline". Ongoing and recently completed studies by the division include analyses of the distribution of major tax expenditures in the individual income tax system, options for taxing U.S. multinational corporations, effective marginal tax rates for low- and moderate-income workers, refundable tax credits, the taxation of businesses through the individual income tax, tax incentives for home ownership, and the elasticity of capital gains realizations, among others.    The position supports the work of the Division by developing economic models, conducting economic analysis and empirical research, and writing various reports including CBO studies and testimonies.  Staff members are encouraged to actively participate in the policy research community by presenting papers at conferences, publishing articles in professional journals, and circulating preliminary research through CBO’s working paper series.    Qualifications Applicants should have a Ph.D. in economics or a related discipline. Candidates with a Master’s degree in those fields and equivalent experience will also be considered. They should also 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 and Benefits Salary is competitive and will be commensurate with experience, education, and other qualifications. CBO offers excellent benefits and an appealing work environment.   How to Apply Please submit a cover letter, résumé, salary history, a brief writing sample and contact information for three (3) references online. Recent graduates should submit an unofficial copy of academic transcripts and have letters of recommendation sent to careers@cbo.gov in place of the references. This position is governed by the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act, as made applicable by the Congressional Accountability Act, as amended.   Because this position is covered by the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act, the following categories of people may be eligible for preference in the hiring process relative to other applicants: veterans who have separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after serving on active duty in the armed forces during a war, in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized, or during particular defined periods; disabled veterans; and the mother, spouse, or unmarried widow or widower of certain veterans.   To claim this preference, an applicant must identify himself or herself as eligible for veterans' preference in the Self-Identification for Veterans' Preference section of the application and must complete and submit a  Veterans' Preference Eligibility Form  together with the supporting documentation specified on that form within two weeks of applying. Applicants may obtain a copy of CBO's Veterans' Preference in Appointments policy by submitting a written request to  careers@cbo.gov .   Contact Nancy A. Fahey, Washington, DC, 202-226-2628, careers@cbo.gov   EEO M/F/V/D