Explainer's Program Assistant 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 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.

 

The NASM, Education Department; Explainers Program is responsible for 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 National Mall Building in Washington, DC and the Chantilly, VA Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, as well as participants in NASM’s virtual learning programs.

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.

Performs other duties as assigned.

To qualify for this position, applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from an accredited four-year college or university and/or 1-3 years of related experience (described below); or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

 

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