What are the responsibilities and job description for the Museum Technician (Research Assistant) (IS-1016-07) position at Smithsonian American Women's History Museum?
Description
OPEN DATE: February 19, 2025
CLOSING DATE: March 5, 2025 (This job will close once 100 applications are received which may be sooner than the closing date.)
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Temporary Not to Exceed Two (2) Years
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC
Position sensitivity and risk: Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Position sensitivity and risk: Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Open to all Qualified Applicants
What are Trust Fund Positions?
What are Trust Fund Positions?
Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).
Conditions of Employment
- Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
- Complete a Probationary Period.
- Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
- The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
- Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
OVERVIEW
Come join a team of dedicated staff at an exceptional time for the Smithsonian. In 2024, we launched the Smithsonian Campaign for Our Shared Future, the largest fundraising campaign in the institution’s history. The campaign, which runs through 2026, aims to raise $2.5 billion to support all Smithsonian museums and centers—each with a vision to achieve a better future for all. The Smithsonian is also raising support for a series of signature programs, events, and exhibitions to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026. This position offers exciting opportunities for the successful candidate to make a significant impact on the future of the Smithsonian. There is no better time to join this amazing Institution.
The Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum team values collaboration, respect, courage, compassion, and innovation in our mission to create space for women's history on the National Mall in Washington, DC. The museum’s goal is to create a more representative history, a more collective future, and expand the stories of America through the often-untold accounts and accomplishments of women - individually and collectively - to better understand our past and inspire our future. We hope to deepen our nation's stories, and inspire conversation, connection, and change.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Research Assistant is responsible for supporting curatorial, collections, digital engagement, and education staff with their initiatives to gather, organize, and make accessible to the public information on the history of women as they contributed to shaping the United States of America.
In this position, you will:
- Conduct archival, material culture, oral history, image, and desk research in support of digital experience, including but not limited to digital exhibitions.
- Support museum staff in developing storylines and content for web-based/online script and produce development, ensuring accessibility.
- Deliver regular project updates, coordinate meetings with project teams, and assist in planning travel itineraries for curatorial project teams. Track research tasks in electronic file systems and enter metadata for assets into the Digital Assets Management System (DAMS).
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
To qualify for the position, the incumbent must meet the following:
At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the grade 5 level obtained in either the public or private sectors. Specialized experience for this position is defined as conducting archival, material culture, oral history, image, and desk research; supporting the development of storylines and content for web-based products; coordinating project team meetings and tracking project tasks; entering metadata into a Digital Assets Management System (DAMS); and securing licenses for use of restricted materials for publication or online programming.
OR
Education: successful completion of at least one year of graduate level education (18 semester hours, 27 quarter hours or equivalent) with coursework related to the duties of the position. Related fields of study include art, history, museum studies, scientific subjects, or other courses related to the position to be filled. You must include transcripts.
Education: successful completion of at least one year of graduate level education (18 semester hours, 27 quarter hours or equivalent) with coursework related to the duties of the position. Related fields of study include art, history, museum studies, scientific subjects, or other courses related to the position to be filled. You must include transcripts.
OR
A combination of education and experience may be combined to meet the basic qualifications.
A combination of education and experience may be combined to meet the basic qualifications.
Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.
Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.
Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."
Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.
What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.
Relocation expenses are not paid.
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact OHRTrustBranch@si.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact OHRTrustBranch@si.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.
The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: https://www.si.edu/oeesd.
About Smithsonian American Women's History Museum
Come join the team at the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum! We’re working to expand the story of America through the often-untold accounts and accomplishments of women individually and collectively—to better understand our past and inspire our future. We’re looking for dedicated individuals to help us create space for women’s history on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., deepen our nation’s stories, and inspire conversation, connection, and change.