Description
OPEN DATE: October 7, 206 CLOSING DATE: October 12, 2026 POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund APPOINTMENT TYPE: Indefinite SCHEDULE: Full Time*The standard work schedule for this position is Monday through Friday; however, flexibility is required to support occasional evening and weekend programs, averaging approximately 6-10 events per month, as scheduled.*
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.
- Current Smithsonian employees are eligible to apply for this position.
OVERVIEW
Smithsonian Associates (Associates) leverages the vast resources of the Smithsonian Institution to create pan-institutional public programs for Associates members and the general public. Associates’ programs are created for in-person Washington DC area audiences and virtual audiences across the country with content delivered via Zoom.
Associates curates and produces informative, enlightening, entertaining, and insightful programs, including lectures, seminars, courses, study tours, studio arts, performances, films, children’s theater, and summer camp inspired by and amplifying the full character of the Smithsonian’s collections, exhibitions, and research. Audiences of all ages explore topics in scientific, historic, artistic, and cultural expression. Through their participation, members and the public become involved in the Institution’s work, creating broad interest and support for the Smithsonian.
The Smithsonian Associates is a financially independent educational non-profit business activity within the Smithsonian: funding derived from ticket sales, tuition, membership fees and fundraising.### DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As a member of the Programming Department, the Supervisory Program Coordinator position is responsible for the development, implementation, management, and evaluation of revenue-generating programs that support the Smithsonian’s mission, uphold its standards of excellence, and contribute to a balanced program portfolio in alignment with the objectives, policies, and guidelines established by the Associate Director of Programs.
The position also provides leadership and supervision to a team of Operations Coordinators, including setting priorities, assigning work, managing schedules, and overseeing daily operations to ensure the successful achievement of program goals. This position reports directly to the Program Manager.
- Works as a member of the programming team to fulfill a quarterly programming matrix which is approved by management staff.
- Plans and implements programs in accordance with the guidelines of the programming matrix. Programs are developed in supervisor approved formats typically used by Associates.
- Evaluates programs for quality, educational effectiveness, financial viability and accountability, and audience response.
- Prepares copy for publications and other promotional material as required. Meets stated deadlines.
- Prepares correspondences, printed programs, program notes, etc. Prepares
communications regarding notices of cancellation, postponement, location change, etc. and disseminates in a timely manner.
- Prepares all necessary administrative forms and submits them to the proper office or Associates staff in a timely fashion.
- Demonstrates an understanding of the budgetary process and guidelines.
- Prepares individual program budgets forecasting expenses and revenues. Tracks expenditures for assigned programs, reviewing bills for accuracy and submitting approved invoices for payment.
- Attends programs as assigned to supervise and/or assist presenters, monitors, vendors, SI support staff, caterers, and volunteers; serves in the role of house/stage manager when applicable.
- Working in collaboration with supervisor and Development staff, assists whenever possible, in securing funding or in-kind support from organizations, corporations, embassies, et al.
- Keeps abreast of the latest developments in museums and cultural programming for all audiences including museum education theory, instructional technology trends, and SI learning and research initiatives. Maintains familiarity with local and national arts and cultural organizations, and other potential programming models.
- Develops and maintains connections with leaders in the arts, art history and culture throughout the Smithsonian and nationally to provide a large stable of potential lecturers.
- Demonstrated ability to supervise staff, establish performance expectations, assign and prioritize work, and monitor results.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
- Goal-oriented, creative professional with a passion for lifelong learning and a strong ability to develop innovative solutions.
- Possess a solid understanding of current trends and best practices in both virtual and in-person programming and demonstrate curiosity, initiative, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
- Success in this role requires an approachable, collaborative work style, a customer-focused mindset, and the flexibility to thrive in a dynamic team environment.
- Early-career experience (1-2 years) in developing, coordinating, and managing adult education or public programming are encouraged to apply.
- Knowledge of the principles of museum-based public programming including criteria for quality and fiscal viability, and technical procedures for program development and implementation.
- Knowledge of programming formats typically utilized to deliver content to adult learners (courses, lectures, seminars, and workshops) to create programs in these formats.
- Knowledge budget development and monitoring of programs, analysis, forecasting of expenses and revenue in accordance with set budgetary guidelines.
- Ability to organize and administer all technical and logistical aspects of programs.
- Familiarity with the Zoom platform for delivery of on-line program content.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong organizational and analytical skills.
- Self-starter capable of taking ownership of required tasks and responsibilities.
- Interpersonal skills with demonstrated poise, tact, and diplomacy.
- Ability to work collaboratively and in a team.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks with various deadlines and set priorities.
High level of proficiency in Windows Office programs. Familiarity with Tessitura is a plus.
- 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 associatescareers@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
About Smithsonian Associates
Smithsonian Associates leverages the vast resources of the Smithsonian Institution to create a broad array of public programs for Associates members and the public, in the Washington area and across the country. Associates offers a widely-diversified program of lectures, seminars, performances, studio art classes, study tours, children’s theater, and summer camp, developed from Institutional and other resources. Audiences of all ages explore the best in scientific, historic, artistic, and cultural expression drawn from the United States and around the world. Through their participation, members and the public become involved in the Institution’s work, creating broad interest and support for the Smithsonian. Smithsonian Associates is a financially independent educational non-profit business activity within the Smithsonian: funding is derived entirely from ticket sales, tuition, membership fees and fundraising.
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