Major duties of this position include: -Ensuring that the Congress´ needs for research and analysis are met and that CRS products and services are fully aligned with the policy needs of Congress. -Advising the Director of CRS on all aspects of the Service´s operations and working with the Director to establish strategic goals and directions and developing policies and procedures for continually improving the Service´s efficiency and effectiveness. -Serving as a principal CRS representative to Members of Congress, congressional committees, high level congressional staff, officials of other executive and legislative agencies, leaders of academic and research institutions, and members of the public in order to advance the Service´s mission. -Overseeing and ensuring compliance with human resource management functions and requirements for Office of the Director staff (e.g., recruiting and making hiring selections, addressing performance and disciplinary issues, communicating performance expectations to staff, providing advice and counsel to staff, conducting periodic performance evaluations, recommending training and professional development, planning and assigning work, and finding methods to improve staff productivity). -Performing any of the Director´s duties and responsibilities that the Director chooses to delegate and serving as the acting Director in the Director´s absence.