Supervisory Museum Program Specialist - Gallery Programming (IS-1701-12)

DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

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 and 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). 

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 a Deputy Director position, who reports to an Associate Director position. 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 oversee the Museum’s gallery programming. The foundational elements of this effort include the Explainer Program and the Discovery Stations. The Explainer Program hires high school and college students to help visitors better understand the Museum’s artifacts and exhibitions through direct interaction and hands-on activities on the Museum floor. Discovery Stations are themed carts and materials used by the Explainers in their work to connect audiences with artifacts, STEAM principles, and stories about science, technology, and innovation. 

Responsibilities associated with the Explainers Program include directing the programming and leading the team managing the Museum’s Explainers at both the National Mall building in Washington, DC and Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA. The Discovery Stations are used by the Explainers and a corps of Volunteers to engage audiences on the Museum floor. The employee is responsible for planning and organizing the work with staff, coordinating with Education leadership, and ensuring all components of the program are successful as defined by the program’s objectives and goals.

Position requires ability to experiment with new learning techniques and technologies, and to seize new opportunities for enhancing learning. It requires advanced knowledge of instructional design, educational technology, training design and development, adult learning and education in museums or other non-formal settings. Requires skill in working with school structures, curriculum, teaching standards and classroom principles. Requires the ability to apply educational principles, practices and methods to develop and implement museum education programs for culturally diverse audiences.

The employee is responsible for planning and organizing the work, directing and coordinating with staff and management, and conducting all phases of projects, and frequently involves the definitive interpretation of regulations, laws, and study procedures, and the initial application of new methods.  Completed projects, evaluations, reports, or recommendations are reviewed by the supervisor for compatibility with organizational goals, guidelines, effectiveness in achieving intended objectives.

Guidelines consist of Federal administration policies, laws, and regulation, as well as the overall policies and procedures of NASM and the Smithsonian Institution for conducting interactive programming. The educational principles and practices that apply to the development of the educational museum programs for diverse audiences, with national education standards, also providing as guidance. 

Guidelines do not go into detail as to the methods used to accomplish the work; therefore, the employee must use judgment and initiative to refine or develop more specific guidelines such as implementing policy and/or regulations, methods, techniques, and procedures for the measurement and improvement of effectiveness and efficiency of NASM virtual and hybrid programs. Completed projects, evaluations, reports, or recommendations are reviewed by the supervisor for compatibility with organizational goals, guidelines, effectiveness in achieving intended objectives.

The incumbent’s work involves gathering information, identifying and analyzing issues, and developing recommendations to resolve substantive problems of effectiveness and efficiency of NASM programs. Assignments require the incumbent to apply qualitative and quantitative analytical techniques that frequently require modification to fit a wider range of variables, and issues that are not always resolved by direct analysis. Incumbent manages both staff and volunteers and addresses management and staffing issues, providing guidance to a diverse staff of educators, program managers, museum specialists, part time intermittent staff, and interns in different aspects of the Museum.

Performs other duties as assigned.

 

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 your application being rejected and may also result in termination after employment begins.

  

The Smithsonian Institution values and seeks a diverse workforce. 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.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact NASM-HR@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: www.si.edu/oeema.