Program Specialist

Overview

The Smithsonian Institution is hiring a Program Specialist in Washington, DC to act as a confidential assistant and liaison for the Associate Director. This role supports the office’s day-to-day operations by preparing written and oral materials, coordinating activities, and helping manage priorities across the unit.

Key Duties

• Serve as the primary assistant and trusted advisor to the Associate Director by reviewing, evaluating, and coordinating assignments and operational work that require their attention.
• Research information and prepare drafts, briefs, and other materials to help the Associate Director get ready for meetings, discussions, presentations, conferences, and similar engagements.
• Prepare, review, and refine correspondence, papers, and proposals for the Associate Director’s approval.
• Act as a link between the Associate Director, the Director, and major departments within NMAAHC and the Smithsonian Institution, while organizing meetings and conferences.
• Manage the Associate Director’s calendar, set priorities with limited guidance, and maintain consistent communication with direct reports and key leaders.

Conditions of Employment

• A pre-employment background investigation is required.
• A probationary period may be required.
• You must maintain a bank account for direct deposit or electronic transfer.
• Men born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet the qualification standards by the closing date of the announcement. The role requires specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in federal service. Acceptable experience includes work as an assistant and advisor handling operational logistics in a museum, college or university, historical or cultural institution, nonprofit organization, or corporation; responding to written inquiries; maintaining calendars for meetings and events; proofreading and reviewing documents for grammar; managing multiple programs or projects; arranging travel and processing travel documents; and communicating verbally with important stakeholders.

You may also qualify through three full years of progressively higher-level graduate study leading to a Ph.D. or an equivalent doctoral degree in a related field, or through a combination of education and experience.

This position has no basic education requirement. If you are using foreign education to qualify, you must provide transcripts and proof of U.S. accreditation for the foreign institution as instructed in the application materials.

Additional Information

This position is outside the bargaining unit. Current or former political appointees must disclose their status and submit the required SF-50 and appointment details if they fall within the relevant federal rules. Recruitment incentives may be available, but they are not guaranteed and may require a service agreement if approved.

Selections may be made for openings across the Smithsonian Institution, and by applying, candidates agree that their application and personal information may be shared with hiring officials for similar roles within the locations listed in this announcement. The announcement may close early once 150 applications are received, so candidates are encouraged to apply promptly.

Applicants should be committed to making federal operations more efficient, supporting the ideals of the American republic, and upholding the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution.

Benefits

The Smithsonian provides a broad benefits package that includes vacation and sick leave, holidays, health and life insurance, accident insurance, and retirement plan options. Additional benefit areas mentioned include flexible spending accounts, health insurance, leave, life insurance, long-term care insurance, and retirement programs.