Visual Information Specialist (Graphic Design)/IS-1084-12 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). 

Come join a dedicated and creative team at an exceptional time for the Smithsonian, an institution with a bold vision for the future: to build a better tomorrow for all. Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III and the institution’s leadership have launched a campaign to support this vision. The Smithsonian Campaign for Our Shared Future will secure funds for all Smithsonian museums and centers as the institution reimagines its mission to find solutions for collective challenges in a rapidly changing world. The campaign will provide a foundation for critical research to ensure people and nature thrive together, build unparalleled education programs with families and partners, collect the world’s most precious objects, document the present while reflecting on the past, and reimagine the visitor experience both in-person and online. We are bringing the Smithsonian off the National Mall and across the country through dynamic programming and affiliate partnerships, creating access for all. 

 

The Office of Advancement oversees and guides the fundraising efforts of the entire Smithsonian and is home to the central development organization for the Institution. In addition to raising significant support for a variety of Smithsonian initiatives, the Office of Advancement provides support services to advancement offices across the Institution. The office engages with staff throughout the Smithsonian in accomplishing their goals.

The graphic designer is a key member of the fast-paced, creative and collaborative Advancement Communications and Marketing team, reporting to the director and partnering with team members. He/she uses creative skills to design and produce a wide variety of compelling fundraising communications and marketing materials in all media that support high-capacity giving. Executing graphic designs from concept to product, the graphic designer affects the successful achievement of fundraising priorities of Smithsonian museums, research centers and pan-institutional initiatives, partnering with leadership and advancement colleagues across the institution. 

 

The designer takes initiative and translates complex ideas into visually pleasing, innovative designs within budget. She/he is responsible for the overall look, blending copy, typography and design into a cohesive whole that elevates fundraising messages and storytelling. He/she works with clients to determine the best product to engage a national audience. These include the Office of Advancement’s newsletter IMPACT (published three times a year), the Smithsonian’s annual report, case statements, proposals, donor and volunteer engagement collateral, as well as web, e-mail, video and social media-based projects.

 

The incumbent also acts as a consultant, providing creative and technical advice so that clients across the Smithsonian are able to execute clear, compelling and effective visual materials. She/he looks for opportunities to experiment with new design techniques, tools and trends.  The graphic designer sets the standard for using innovative designs, branding, and messaging, based on deep research and understanding of the Smithsonian collection and its work as the world’s largest museum, research and education complex. 

A minimum of three to five years of experience as a designer for cultural institutions or as part of an in-house editorial team is desired. Qualified applicants will have expertise in industry-standard graphic design and multimedia tools such as InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Bridge, etc., Experience with integrating graphics, animation/motion graphics, text, images, audio and video into digital collateral a plus. Applications should demonstrate knowledge of artistic design and display principles, visual communications, and specialized knowledge in the design of graphic materials such as printing, photography and other reproduction processes and typography. Expertise to oversee color corrections on proofs for print and electronic materials is necessary. 

 

Experience in web design (Word Press, Drupal, etc.), and other tools that create digital content, such as ArcGIS StoryMaps, is desired. Skill in creating executive-level presentations. Applicants should demonstrate skill in the creative application of adaptable designs for Microsoft Office products and other tools utilized by non-designers. The incumbent will have experience art directing a photo shoot, photo editing and photo editing software (Adobe Photoshop, Bridge, and Lightroom), and digital asset management as well as knowledge of digital image production including color and gray scale. 

 

Experience with video editing (Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut, etc.) also a plus. 

 

Qualified applicants will successfully demonstrate strong communications skills, an ability to successfully manage multiple long- and short-term deadlines, superior organization skills, and a demonstrated ability to work independently. The incumbent will be self-motivated and detail-oriented, accurate and professional always; must be precise, diplomatic, dedicated, and mature as well as flexible, able to work well under pressure, and comfortable with an iterative design process. 

 

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.

 

Application Instructions 

Interested candidates should submit their resumes, a cover letter, and a work sample or link to portfolio by September 12, 2025. 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. Relocation expenses are not paid. 

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. 

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. 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