Museum Program Specialist

Application Deadline: 9 April 2025

Department: National Air and Space Museum

Location: Washington, DC

Compensation: $57,164 - $64,788 / year

Description

OPEN DATE: March 26, 2025
CLOSING DATE: April 9, 2025, or when 200 applications are reached. This may be before the closing date.
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Permanent
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC


Position sensitivity and risk
Example: Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Open to all qualified applicants or Unit Only or SI Only

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

This position is located within the Education Department in the Education and Visitor Experience Directorate, National Air and Space Museum (NASM), Smithsonian Institution (SI) and reports to the Manager of Adult Learning and Digital Content. The mission of NASM is to commemorate, educate and inspire. Learning at the National Air and Space Museum sparks curiosity and empowers learners to imagine the possibilities of our future. The museum collects, preserves, and displays aeronautical and spaceflight artifacts of historical significance.

The purpose of this position is to provide program and administrative support for the planning and logistics for NASM's virtual and hybrid public programs with a particular emphasis on programs that engage adults and youth. Public programs include lectures, the Museum's podcast, special evening programs, and large-scale educational outreach events.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Administrative

· Incumbent is responsible for collecting and reporting program analytics, planning and organizing logistics for large-scale education programs, supporting the operation of hybrid programs, and providing day-of support for onsite and virtual programs.

· Ensures timely payment of guest speakers and contractors, including executing purchase requests, processing invoices, purchasing materials, and making sure contractors are up to date in relevant Smithsonian vendor databases. Tracks all programmatic expenses using department spreadsheets and works with manager on any shortfalls or budget excesses.

· Arranges travel for invitational guests in a timely manner.

· Coordinates ticket set-up and distribution for ticketed events run by the Department. tracking

· Collaborates with education colleagues for large-scale educational outreach programs that includes organizing vendors, ordering catering, assisting at education stations, and managing registration.

Program Design and Coordination

· Assists program manager and other program specialists with project management and program development. for live and digital public programs, including programmatic brainstorming, planning activities, program design and development, testing, and evaluation.

· Together with managers and other Department staff, assists at in person, virtual, and hybrid programs including checking people in, hosting and directing attendees, managing AV coordination, facilitating Q&As, setting up and breaking down as needed.

· Under close supervision and guidance, the incumbent assists with the development, evaluation, and delivery of the Museum's podcast and related events, including writing newsletter articles, ensuring that podcast webpages are accurate and up-to-date, collaborating on topics, and coordinating events. Works closely with the Office of Communications on promotion and outreach for programs and museum experiences.

· Coordinates all details of onsite program execution, including working with internal and external teams such as facilities, security, visitor experience, audio visual, and all other relevant teams to ensure smooth delivery of public programs.

Performs other related duties as assigned.


[JD1]I would add arranging travel in timely manner as well either in this bullet or one devoted to speakers overall and remove the first phrase on speakers to that bullet.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

· Knowledge of the concepts, practices, and techniques of virtual and onsite museum programs.

· Knowledge of museum audiences, particularly adult and youth audiences, to understand and contribute to inclusive programming.

· Ability to organize logistics for onsite and virtual programs.

· Skill in management of registration systems.

· Strong oral and written communication skills to coordinate programs, craft formal communications to external program participants, draft newsletter articles, and communicate logistic details to Museum staff.

· Ability to work effectively on teams with a variety of staff from multiple departments.

· Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with internal and external stakeholders to the Museum's programs to develop effective programming.

· General knowledge of the functions and structure of a museum education department and principles related to the administration of education programs and/or activities and written materials about these areas to multiple audiences at varying levels of competency.

· Familiarity with program evaluation techniques.

· Ability to assists travelers and travel preparers in the preparation and review of travel logistics and requirements in accordance with travel regulations, policies, and procedures.



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 [INSERT EMAIL ADDRESS FOR UNIT]. 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.