Education Specialist

Education Specialist, IS-1701-11

Final date to receive applications: 29 September 2026

Department: Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service and Smithsonian Affiliations

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Washington, DC

Reporting To: Director of SITES|SA

Compensation: $85,447 - $111,087 / year

OPEN DATE: September 15, 2026

CLOSING DATE: September 29, 2026

POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund

APPOINTMENT TYPE: Temporary Trust, NTE 3 years

SCHEDULE: Full Time

DUTY

LOCATION:

Washington, DC

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.

This position is located in the Office of Outreach & Engagement, Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service and Smithsonian Affiliations (SITES Affiliations), under Secretary for Education, Smithsonian Institution (SI). The unit strengthens connections between the Smithsonian and museums and cultural organizations—and their communities and audiences everywhere—by bringing Smithsonian scholarship and expertise to communities across the country and internationally through an array of programs that encourage deep local engagement.

SITES Affiliations includes three program areas: SITES develops traveling exhibitions that reach museums and cultural organizations across the country;
Smithsonian Affiliations creates regional, state, and local collaborations with more than 200 Affiliate organizations; and Museum on Main Street specializes in reaching small and rural communities through programs that highlight local history and culture.

The Education Specialist develops, coordinates, promotes, delivers, and evaluates national education experiences, including youth programs, adult workshops, educator training, and other learning initiatives. Important aspects of the position are ensuring detailed planning and administrative oversight for leading successful programs and initiatives.

• Design, develop, deliver, and evaluate educational activities, programs, and products for audiences with varied learning styles, relying on knowledge of formal and informal learning pedagogy.
• Collaborate with project teams throughout all phases of development to create and implement educational experiences that enhance and complement unit activities.
• Build and maintain relationships with Smithsonian museums and…