The Best Places to Work in the Federal Government 2009

Careers

Contact Info

Human Resources
Congressional Budget Office
Ford House Office Building, 4th Floor
Second and D Streets, SW
Washington, DC 20515

careers@cbo.gov
(202) 226-2628

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Employee Benefits

Health Benefits (Medical and Dental)

House Daycare Photograph CBO employees participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program. This program offers a range of health care coverage to meet the varied needs of the federal workforce. There are individual and family plans, HMOs, fee-for-service plans, and PPO options, and costs vary on the basis of the type of coverage and related services. Depending on the plan selected, dental, vision, and other coverages may be included. CBO pays approximately 70 percent of the total cost of the coverage. Details are available at www.opm.gov/Insure/health/enrollment/new_employees.asp.

Retirement

Most employees participate in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) or Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), depending on the type of appointment they have and their previous federal service. The retirement annuity in these defined benefit plans is based on age at retirement, years of federal service, and the employee's highest three consecutive years of salary.

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)

The TSP is a 401(k)-like plan that allows employees to save for retirement on a pretax basis. CBO contributes 1 percent of the employee's base pay and matches a portion of the employee's contribution. Details are available at www.tsp.gov under Civilian TSP Features. CBO employees are immediately vested in CBO's matching funds and vested in CBO's automatic 1 percent contribution after two years of employment.

Annual Leave

Employees accrue annual leave on the basis of their length of federal service and hours paid in a pay period.

Sick Leave

Employees accrue sick leave at the rate of four hours for every 80 hours paid.

Holidays

Ten federal holidays are observed each calendar year. The holiday schedule is available at www.opm.gov/Operating_Status_Schedules/fedhol/Index.asp.

Flexible Spending Accounts (Health Care and Dependent Care)

Employees may save on a pretax basis for covered medical and dependent care expenses. Details are available at www.opm.gov/insure/flexible/index.asp.

Dental and Vision Benefits (FEDVIP)

Employees may enroll in supplemental dental and/or vision benefit plans at pre-tax savings. FEDVIP can be utilized in conjunction with FEHB and FSA programs to provide comprehensive coverage for eligible medical expenses. Details are available at www.opm.gov/insure/dental/chooseindex.asp.

Life Insurance

Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) provides basic coverage for the employee plus three optional coverages. Basic insurance is based on an employee's annual rate of pay, rounded up to the nearest $1,000, plus $2,000. CBO pays one-third and employees pay two-thirds of the cost for basic coverage; optional coverages are not subsidized. Details are available at www.opm.gov/insure/life/index.asp.

Long-Term Care Insurance

This insurance is designed to help protect enrollees against the high costs of long-term care. Details are available at www.opm.gov/insure/ltc/index.asp.

Commuting Assistance

Based on an employee's actual commuting expense, up to $230 per month is provided.

Professional Development and Training

Analysts regularly attend local and national conferences such as the American Association for Budget and Program Analysis (AABPA), American Economic Association (AEA), Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM), National Economic Council (NEC), National Tax Association (NTA), in addition to seminars in their specialty areas. In-house and external training is also available for skill development.

Community Service

Altruism is an important component of the CBO culture. Employees regularly contribute their time or money (or both) to local community activities such as the Combined Federal Campaign, American Red Cross blood drives, tutoring at Amidon Elementary School, our neighborhood school, holiday toy/gift drives, and sponsorship of a team at the National Race for the Cure.

Religious Observance Accommodations

Business Casual Dress

Subsidized Health Club Membership

Employees can participate in subsidized memberships at two national gyms.

Flexible Working Hours

Library of Congress Borrowing Privileges

Various Privileges as a Member of the Congressional Staff

Credit Union

Bikes Photograph Employees are eligible to join the Wright Patman Congressional Federal Credit Union, a branch of which is located on the first floor of the Ford House Office Building. Information about the Credit Union is available at www.congressionalfcu.org.