Volunteer Coordinator, IS-1001-09
Application Deadline: 28 October 2026
Department: Office of Visitor Services
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Washington, DC
Compensation: $70,623 - $91,815 / year
Description
OPEN DATE: October 22, 2026
CLOSING DATE: October 28, 2026
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Indefinite
SCHEDULE: Full-Time (Tuesday -Saturday Schedule)
DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC
Position sensitivity and risk:
Non-Sensitive/Low Risk
Who May Apply: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
The position is located in the Smithsonian Institution's Office of Visitor Services. The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum and research complex, consisting currently of 19 museums, galleries, the National Zoological Park, and nine research facilities. The Office of Visitor Services (OVS) is the principal office at the Smithsonian responsible for understanding, designing and improving all stages of a visitor's journey, from planning, to visit and post-visit experiences. The Office enables the Smithsonian's mission through its activities as the primary point of contact for Smithsonian visitors. In addition, OVS provides internal services to Smithsonian staff who serve visitors, including over 6,000 volunteers.
The incumbent is responsible for the day-to-day management of volunteers assigned to the Smithsonian Visitor Center at the Castle. S/he provides oversight, guidance, and leadership to volunteers; coordinates all operational aspects of the Castle Information desk(s); and performs a host of administrative duties which facilitate the effective operation of programs and activities at the Castle.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Volunteer Management and Oversight
- Coordinates all operational aspects of the Castle Information desk. Responsibilities include maintaining information desk reference sources, operating materials, and inventories; ensuring adequate supplies of reference materials and handouts and distribution of time sensitive materials; ensuring membership materials and information are current and available and that staff are fully briefed on membership application procedures.
- Oversees the Castle Ambassador program. Responsibilities include recruiting and training new ambassadors; scheduling ambassador shifts; ensuring that ambassadors are kept up to date on exhibits and events across all units; and working with the Client Services Manager to improve and expand the Castle Ambassador program.
- Oversees the Castle Docent Program. Responsibilities include recruiting, training, and scheduling docents for regular tour assignments based on knowledge of docents’ abilities, preferences, and tour audience; develops guidelines for conducting tours, presenting complex information, and handling special needs of individuals and groups; and develops and applies the criteria for assessing docent performance.
- Coordinates the functions of all volunteers assigned to the Castle including Docents, Castle Ambassadors, and Visitor Information Specialists. Provides guidance, advice, assistance and leadership to volunteers assigned to the Castle; conducts orientations; provides instructions and direction regarding information desk services, resources and operating procedures as well as Smithsonian structure, functions, services, and activities.
- Reviews existing policies and procedures for each volunteer program to determine need for revision or development of new policies and procedures to better expedite volunteer program needs and services.
- Communicates clearly and effectively with Castle volunteers, OVS staff, and other Smithsonian staff as needed regarding upcoming events and programs at the Castle, participates in Castle staff meetings as needed and/or assigned.
Training Initiatives
- Coordinates all administrative and operational aspects of training held and/or hosted by OVS, under the leadership of the Deputy Director. Maintains training schedules and manages logistics of workshops, classes, special enrichment lectures, meetings, and seminars. Meets with the supervisor to review current and proposed training initiatives and needs.
Additional Duties
- Performs studies, special projects and additional representational assignments as directed by the supervisor. May be required to work one or more holidays a year.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Experience required for this position is as follows:
- Knowledge of and skill in applying good principles and practices of managing and overseeing personnel, coupled with the ability to interact effectively with volunteers and potential volunteers in their recruitment and retention.
- Written and oral communication techniques sufficient to draft procedures/guidelines, status/staff reports, and correspondence, conduct orientations, participate in and lead discussions, explain situations and issues, and participate in meetings, training sessions and conferences.
- Organizational and customer service skills and competency in dealing with diverse populations; ability to motivate a range of personnel from a variety of backgrounds.
- Ability to work independently and in a team environment, ensuring cooperation among assigned staff and resolving conflicts and problems quickly and effectively.
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 OCEA-Admin@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 
