Program Coordinator

Final date to receive applications: 9 March 2026

Department: National Museum of the American Indian

Location: Suitland, MD

Compensation: $85,447 - $93,994 / year

OPEN DATE: 02/18/26

CLOSING DATE: 03/09/26

POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund

APPOINTMENT TYPE: Temporary NTE 3 years

SCHEDULE: Full Time

DUTY

LOCATION:

Suitland MD

Position sensitivity and risk: Non
- Sensitive /Low Risk

Open to all qualified applicants

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).

• 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.

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) seeks experienced and highly motivated candidates to fill the position of Program Coordinator for an initial term of three years. The initial term may or may not be extended. The purpose of the position is to serve as the primary point of contact for inquiries related to the Four Pathways program by working in close partnership with the NMAI Assistant Director for Collections to manage program administration, budget coordination, and grant reporting.

The Four Pathways of Return guides the NMAI in working with communities to return or care for cultural heritage items in ways that address past harms and support ethical stewardship. Integrating the NMAI Act and related Smithsonian policies, it helps determine the best pathway – Community Loan, Shared Stewardship, Repatriation, or Ethical Returns – to provide communities with greater authority over their cultural heritage.

The NMAI is responsible for affirming to Native communities and the non-Native public, the historical and contemporary culture and cultural achievements of the Indigenous peoples of the Western Hemisphere by advancing, in consultation, collaboration and cooperation with them, a knowledge and understanding of their cultures, including art, history, and language, and by recognizing the Museum's special responsibility, through innovative public programming, research, and collections, to protect, support, and enhance the development, maintenance, and perpetuation of Indigenous culture and community.

This position is located at the National Museum of the American Indian’s Cultural Resource Center in Suitland, MD. The Smithsonian Institution is an equal opportunity employer.

Please note, this is a trust position, and applications are not through USA Jobs; all that is required is an uploaded CV or resume to the online job application and a cover letter in the space provided at the online form. Please highlight how your resume and experience connect to the requirements of the position in your cover letter. A resume can be more than two pages given that it 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.

• Serves as the primary point of contact for inquiries related to the Four Pathways program by working in close partnership with the Assistant Director for Collections to manage program administration, budget coordination, and grant reporting. Supports the conceptual development and strategic direction of the program, advising on feasibility, resource needs, and implementation.
• Guides the development and execution of the Four Pathways program, including staff training, performance monitoring, and creation of program materials such as the Four Pathways Program Guide. Designs strategies to sustain and expand the program, recommending improvements based on data analysis and evaluation.
• Advances effective communication between NMAI and other Smithsonian units, ensuring consistent messaging and coordination. Manages daily…