Museum Aid; High School Explainer

Department: National Air and Space Museum

Location: Chantilly, VA

Compensation: $18.56 / hour

Final date to receive applications: 7 October 2026

OPEN DATE: September 24, 2026

CLOSING DATE: October 7, 2026

POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund

APPOINTMENT TYPE: Temporary Not to Exceed One (1) Year

SCHEDULE: Flexible
* Work schedules may include weekends, holidays, and peak visitation periods, including summer months and school breaks. Flexible scheduling may be available to accommodate academic commitments, depending on operational needs and program requirements. *

DUTY

LOCATION:

Chantilly, VA or 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 and 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 as low risk.
• 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 National Air and Space Museum is one of the most visited museums in the world and is part of the Smithsonian Institution. Located in Washington, DC, with an additional facility, the Steven

F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, the museum is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history, science, and technology of aviation and space exploration.

The museum houses the world's largest collection of historic aircraft and spacecraft, including iconic artifacts such as the 1903 Wright Flyer, the Apollo 11 Command Module Columbia, Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis, and the Space Shuttle Discovery. These exhibits highlight significant milestones in human flight and space travel.

The museum's mission is to commemorate achievements in flight, educate the public about aerospace history and science, and inspire future generations of innovators, explorers, and scientists. Millions of visitors each year come to experience its collections and learn about humanity's continuing journey through the skies and beyond

The Museum Aid (High School Explainer) at the National Air and Space Museum inspire life-long learners by connecting them to our iconic artifacts and to stories about the science and technology that make innovation possible. The Explainers Program hires high school students to help visitors better understand the Museum’s artifacts and exhibitions through hands‑on programming. Explainers work at either the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC or at the Steven

F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia.

The Museum Aid (High School Explainer) serves as a…