The Smithsonian Institution

OPEN DATE: June 11, 2026

CLOSING DATE: June 25, 2026 *This announcement will close once 200 applications have been received, which may occur prior to the listed closing date. *

POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund

APPOINTMENT TYPE: Temp Not to Exceed 2 years

SCHEDULE: Full Time

DUTY LOCATION: Chantilly, VA (Udvar Hazy Center)

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 exists in the Explainers program within the Education Department of the National Air and Space Museum (NASM) for the purpose of furthering the program’s mission in the area of public education and outreach to diverse local and national audiences. Incumbent is part of a team of Education staff, Explainers, Volunteers and Docents who work with museum visitors at both the Chantilly, VA Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center and the National Mall Building in Washington, DC and as well as participants in NASM’s virtual learning programs.

The Smithsonian Institution, Undersecretary of Science and Research, National Air and Space Museum (NASM), collects, preserves, studies, and exhibits artifacts, archival materials and works of art related to the history, culture and science of aviation and spaceflight and the study of the universe. Its research and outreach activities serve all audiences, within and beyond its walls.

The Museum commemorate the past and is committed to educating and inspiring people to foster appreciation for the importance of flight to humanity. NASM is administered as one Museum with multiple locations: The National Mall building, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia and the Garber Facility in Suitland Maryland. NASM provides access to the nation’s aviation and space flight history to an average of 7-9 million on-site visitors from around the world each year, making it one of the most visited museums in the world. In addition, NASM draws tens of millions of virtual visitors to its website and broadcast, digital applications, and webcast educational programming.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Incumbent works cooperatively with the Explainers Program and Education staff & volunteers to ensure a positive visitor experience by greeting visitors; engaging visitors through conversation, inquiry and experimentation; helping to present facilitated experiences and offering assistance and encouragement at self-directed activities. They ensure that each visitor has a safe experience, follows safety rules, and uses materials and supplies appropriately.
• Incumbent works cooperatively with the Explainers Program and Education staff & volunteers to open, operate, and close Explainers programming, according to operating procedures. Incumbent performs routine maintenance of materials and interactives, including inspecting for damaged or missing materials, replenishing supplies, keeping equipment cleaned and organized, and reporting problems or deficiencies to the Explainers Program staff.
• Incumbent assists in the evaluation of programs by collaborating with Explainers Program and Education staff to develop, produce and implement effective informal and formal evaluation techniques for activities and programs, and making recommendations to staff.

Attention to Detail- 25%

Performs routine maintenance of materials and interactives, including inspecting for damaged or missing materials, replenishing supplies, keeping equipment cleaned and organized, and reporting problems or deficiencies to the Explainers Program staff.

Facilitates drop-in education programming and supports and trains the Explainers & volunteers to open, operate, and close Explainers programming, according to operating procedures.

Receives instruction and training in particular topics and presentation styles to deliver various educational resources.

Customer Service - 25%

Provides customer services ensuring that each visitor has a safe experience, follows safety rules, and uses materials and supplies appropriately.

Responds to incidents impacting visitors due to their presence throughout the institution providing support and guidance within the scope of their official job function.

Interpersonal Skills - 25%

Supports, the Explainers Program and Education staff & volunteers to ensure a positive visitor experience by greeting visitors; engaging visitors through conversation, inquiry and experimentation; helping to present facilitated experiences and offering assistance and encouragement at self-directed activities.

Works with a variety of personalities, learning styles, and age groups for extended time during the day, sufficient to communicate, establish rapport, and comfortably address visitors of all ages and abilities to teach in an informal setting. Engages and interacts with multiple visitors (up to 30 persons) about select topics within the institution in an informal setting.

Oral Communication - 25%

Develops a practical understanding of NASM visitor spaces and exhibits and interacts with various groups of individuals to provide to provide informal STEM education relating to the museum’s exhibits & collection.

Provides presentations regarding institutional exhibits and displays to detail their historical significance and importance within the museum’s collection.