Program Specialist (National Engagement), IS-1001-11
Application Deadline: 24 September 2026
Department: Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service and Smithsonian Affiliations
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Washington, DC
Reporting To: Director of SITES|SA
Compensation: $85,447 - $111,087 / year
Description
OPEN DATE: September 10, 2026
CLOSING DATE: September 24, 2026
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Indefinite
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC
Position sensitivity and risk:Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Open to all qualified applicants
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 in the Office of Outreach and Engagement, Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service | Smithsonian Affiliations (SITES | Affiliations). As the Smithsonian’s national outreach and engagement arm, SITES | Affiliations extends the Institution’s reach beyond Washington, DC, connecting communities nationwide with Smithsonian collections, stories, scholars, and resources. Through traveling exhibitions, partnerships, and collaborative initiatives, SITES | Affiliations enables millions of people to experience the Smithsonian in their local communities.
Smithsonian Affiliations play a key role in advancing the Institution’s strategic priorities by expanding access to Smithsonian content and expertise, fostering engagement with diverse audiences, and supporting a nationwide network of cultural and educational organizations. Affiliate organizations benefit from unique Smithsonian resources, including specialized programming, professional development opportunities, and a strong collaborative network that helps further their missions.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Program Specialist (National Engagement) plays a key role in advancing Smithsonian Affiliations' national engagement efforts by supporting partnerships, coordinating outreach activities, and fostering relationships with Smithsonian Affiliates and external stakeholders. The position contributes to the development and implementation of initiatives that strengthen community engagement and expand public access to Smithsonian resources and opportunities.
- Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of national programs, convenings, professional development opportunities, educational initiatives, and community engagement activities that advance Smithsonian priorities.
- Manage national internship, leadership development, and capacity-building programs by cultivating partnerships, coordinating program activities, and assessing program outcomes.
- Develop and maintain strategic relationships with Smithsonian Affiliates, museums, educational institutions, cultural organizations, and other partners to expand the reach and impact of Smithsonian initiatives.
- Collaborate with Smithsonian museums and offices to identify, develop, and leverage opportunities for cross-institutional engagement and partnership.
- Serve as a primary liaison to Affiliate organizations and external stakeholders, assessing needs and connecting partners with Smithsonian resources, expertise, collections, and programming.
- Lead complex projects involving multiple stakeholders by establishing priorities, coordinating activities, managing timelines, and ensuring successful execution of program objectives.
- Represent Smithsonian Affiliations at meetings, conferences, and public events, delivering presentations and fostering collaborative relationships that advance national engagement goals.
- Develop and disseminate briefing materials, reports, presentations, and communications for Smithsonian leadership, Affiliates, partners, and public audiences.
- Identify and implement new opportunities for partnerships, outreach, and engagement that strengthen organizational capacity and support community impact nationwide.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Candidates must possess five (5) to seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in program administration, project management, operations, grants management, museum administration, cultural programming, or a related field. An equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be considered.
Required Knowledge and Experience:
- Advanced knowledge of museums, cultural organizations, and national engagement networks, and experience leveraging those relationships to expand access to programs, resources, and collaborative opportunities.
- Experience developing, leading, and evaluating national outreach, educational, professional development, internship, and public engagement initiatives.
- Experience establishing, managing, and expanding strategic partnerships and collaborations among museums, educational institutions, cultural organizations, and community stakeholders.
- Knowledge of museum programming, exhibitions, educational initiatives, and object loan practices sufficient to develop and implement programs that support institutional and community goals.
- Experience leading complex projects involving multiple stakeholders, competing priorities, and cross-organizational collaboration.
- Skill in developing project plans, establishing priorities, managing resources, monitoring progress, and assessing program effectiveness.
- Ability to identify opportunities for innovation, develop strategic recommendations, and implement solutions that enhance organizational impact and community engagement.
- Experience representing an organization in professional settings and building effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to prepare reports, presentations, briefing materials, and other communications for diverse audiences.
- Ability to exercise independent judgment, initiative, and leadership in developing programs, managing partnerships, and advancing organizational priorities.
Education:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in museum studies, education, public administration, communications, nonprofit management, history, arts administration, cultural studies, business administration, or a related field. Master's degree preferred.
Applicants, who wish to qualify based on 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."
TO APPLY:
Interested candidates must submit a resume detailing both paid and unpaid experience relevant to this position. The resume must include the start and end dates (month and year) for each position, as well as the average number of hours worked per week. While a cover letter is strongly encouraged, it is not required. All application materials must be submitted through the online application portal using the link provided above.
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. Qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager and invited for an interview. If you are chosen for an interview you will need to provide multiple references, including title and contact information, who are familiar with your work and professional skills and abilities.
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact barciajm@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. To review The Smithsonian's EEO program information, please click the following:
https://www.si.edu/oeo 
