Audiovisual Production Specialist at Smithsonian Institution

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). 

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 commemorates 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 Paul E. Garber Facility in Suitland Maryland. NASM provides access to the nation's aviation and spaceflight history to millions of 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.

 

This position is in the Exhibits Design division of the Exhibits department which plans, designs, produces, and maintains the Museum’s exhibitions to engage visitors with the history and science of aviation and spaceflight. Bringing together specialists in design, fabrication, graphics, lighting, and media, the department transforms scholarly research and collections into compelling, accessible experiences for varied audiences. The staff works with other departments at NASM in creating exhibitions for the National Mall building as well as the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. 

 

The purpose of the position is to develop and produce media for the physical Museum. This encompasses exhibition galleries, hallway spaces, and entry vestibules. Media include but are not limited to linear videos, immersive environments, computer interactives, and soundscapes. 

Leads the internal media team on an ad hoc basis. Works with team members to set standards for exhibits media development that ensure that the Museum's media pieces are appropriate, educational, inclusive, engaging, maintainable and upgradable. Manages contracts and work of external vendors. Directs contractors in the creation of exhibit media concepts for major exhibitions, taking into account parameters such as: visitor experience; exhibition messages, themes and goals; object placement; traffic flow and accessibility; programming spaces; acoustics; and technology placement, support and ease of maintenance. Incorporates the collective contributions and input of team members. Acts as contracting officer's representative (COR) for digital media projects. Coordinates the development of project plans, schedules, budgets, procurement documents, review processes and reports. Works closely with the project manager to ensure that the project stays on schedule and within budget.Manages project submittals and reviews. Ensures that team comments are coordinated and relevant. Works with contractors and SI staff to shepherd concepts, wireframes, scripts, storyboards, briefs, prototypes and final versions through review of pertinent areas by relevant departments. Visits contractor studios, as required, to check progress of contracted work. Resolves problems encountered by contractors, ensuring adherence to established objectives, policies, specifications, and regulations. Reviews completed projects for quality and consistency and recommends rejection of products which are unsatisfactory.

 

The incumbent works collaboratively with project teams to plan and create multimedia content for compelling and educational media experiences. Works with teams to come up with experience goals, key messages and themes for each piece. Applies knowledge of digital engagement techniques; storytelling methods; voice and tone; accessibility for digital experiences; technology; and prototyping approaches to create exhibit media concepts that are feasible and sustainable. Conducts research on different strategic initiatives and field trends as well as digital best practices. Conceives original supporting visual material to convey and support the theme or objective of the production to include motion and still video, computer-generated graphics, slides, prints and specific analog and digital effects to enhance effectiveness.

 

The incumbent coordinates all media elements with the curatorial departments, Archives, Advancement, Exhibits Design, Exhibits Technology and specified project manager to establish schedules and budgets. Produces and installs media elements. Works with Exhibits Technology unit to determine the most appropriate software and hardware that fulfill the intent of the media piece and allow for ease of maintenance and future upgrading. Works with Advancement to identify and include media pieces for inclusion in pitches to potential donors, as well as to support ongoing relationships with existing donors. The incumbent evaluates or manages evaluation efforts of prototypes with museum visitors and user expert groups.

To qualify for this position, applicants must possess:

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 [email protected]. 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 (https://www.si.edu/OEO/IndividualswithDisabilities). 

 

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