Attorney-Advisor (Contract), IS-0905-12

Smithsonian; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 102,000 - 133,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental & Vision Insurance

Retirement plan (403b)

Job summary

The Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC seeks an Attorney-Advisor (Contract) to serve as a premier contracting and acquisition advisor for complex IT procurements. The role requires guiding contracts through planning, solicitation, negotiation, award and administration, ensuring policy compliance and best practices.

The position requires a J.D. and two years of relevant experience, with a term appointment.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school and active bar membership in good standing.
• Two years of progressively responsible experience in relevant duties.
• Commitment to ethical standards and professional conduct.
• Annual financial disclosure requirements and ethics compliance are applicable.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert acquisition and contracting advice on IT products, services and enterprise systems.
• Plan, solicit, negotiate, award, administer and close contracts across a range of technical services.
• Manage acquisitions supporting critical institutional operations and multi-year projects.
• Lead contract administration including solicitations, amendments, performance issues and terminations.
• Draft procurement strategies, documentation and specialized contract provisions to protect Smithsonian interests.

Skills

Acquisition strategy

Contract management

Negotiation skills

Education

J.D. degree

Job description

Attorney-Advisor (Contract), IS-0905-12

Application Deadline: 4 December 2026

Department: Office of Contracting & Personal Property Management

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Washington, DC

Reporting To: Supervisory Attorney Advisor

Compensation: $102,415 - $133,142 / year

OPEN DATE: November 6, 2026

CLOSING DATE: December 4, 2026

POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
Promotion potential to a grade 13

APPOINTMENT TYPE: Term Not years

SCHEDULE: Full Time

DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC
Position sensitivity and risk:
Non-sensitive/Moderate 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).

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 subject to annual financial disclosure requirements and compliance with applicable ethics regulations.

OVERVIEW

This position is located in the Complex Agreements Division, Office of Contracting and Personal Property Management (OCon&PPM), within the Office of the Under Secretary for Finance and Administration at the Smithsonian Institution (SI).

The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, dedicated to the increase and diffusion of knowledge. OCon&PPM is responsible for the planning, administration, and oversight of the Institution’s contracting, simplified acquisition, personal property, and procurement policy programs.

The selected candidate serves as a contracting and acquisition advisor for both appropriated and trust-funded programs, with a primary focus on complex, high-value information technology (IT) acquisitions. Responsibilities include providing expert guidance and support throughout the acquisition lifecycle, including acquisition planning, solicitation development, contract negotiation, award, administration, and closeout. The incumbent supports the procurement of mission-critical technology systems, products, and services that further the Smithsonian's operational, business, and strategic objectives.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

At the GS-12 level, the Attorney-Advisor (Contract) performs a full range of acquisition and contract management functions for complex procurements involving IT products, services, and enterprise-wide systems. Assignments frequently involve multi-year projects with multiple contract actions, modifications, claims, disputes, and terminations. The position requires the coordination of numerous contractors, program offices, and stakeholders with varying technical and functional responsibilities, ensuring successful contract performance and effective stewardship of Smithsonian resources.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing expert acquisition and contracting advice to program offices and management on complex contractual matters involving information technology, professional services, and other specialized requirements.
• Planning, developing, soliciting, negotiating, awarding, administering, and closing out contracts for a broad range of technical and non-technical services, including acquisitions involving innovative business and financial arrangements.
• Managing acquisitions supporting critical institutional operations, including retail systems, security systems, financial management systems, payroll and personnel systems, database management solutions, mailing list services, and other enterprise technology initiatives.
• Serving as the lead contract administrator for assigned projects and providing guidance throughout the contract lifecycle, including matters related to solicitations, amendments, contract awards, modifications, performance issues, delivery schedules, claims, product substitutions, contract interpretation, and terminations.
• Developing acquisition strategies and preparing all required procurement and contract documentation while ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and institutional requirements.
• Drafting customized contract provisions, evaluation criteria, testing requirements, and other specialized clauses designed to protect the Smithsonian Institution's interests and address unique project requirements or evolving business needs.
• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating agreements involving intellectual property, information technology, electronic media, data rights, confidentiality requirements, cybersecurity protections, and the safeguarding of personally identifiable information (PII).
• Advising Smithsonian offices and program officials on acquisition planning, procurement strategies, contract administration, and the application of Smithsonian policies and the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR).
• Supporting the Office of Contracting and Personal Property Management (OCon&PPM) by preparing, negotiating, administering, and managing a variety of contracts and agreements and providing recommendations on contracting policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Providing expert consultation to OCon&PPM leadership, contracting staff, and Smithsonian organizations on complex acquisition and contracting matters affecting institutional operations and strategic initiatives.
• Performing other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to carry out each essential duty satisfactorily. The qualifications listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the role.

Qualifications:

• A Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school and active membership in good standing with the bar of any U.S. state, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico are required.
• Possess two years of progressively responsible experience performing duties related to those described for this position.
• Due to the fiduciary nature of this role, the selected candidate is entrusted with safeguarding the Smithsonian Institution's interests and must consistently demonstrate sound judgment, discretion, integrity, and the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct.
• This position is subject to annual financial disclosure requirements and compliance with applicable ethics regulations.

Key qualifications include:

• The position also supports the continuous improvement of acquisition operations by identifying policy, regulatory, and procedural issues and recommending changes to senior leadership. The work directly impacts a broad range of Smithsonian activities, including exhibitions, research, education, advancement, technology initiatives, and other mission-supporting operations.
• Expert in contract strategy, negotiation, risk management, and acquisition policy plays a critical role in advancing institutional goals and ensuring effective stewardship of Smithsonian resources.
• Responsible for addressing complex contractual issues involving both appropriated and trust-funded activities, requiring the analysis of sophisticated legal, business, and acquisition matters.
• Must independently evaluate challenging contractual situations, identify risks, and develop practical, legally sound solutions that support institutional objectives while protecting the Smithsonian's interests.
• Require extensive negotiations with internal and external parties.
• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a wide variety of contracts, agreements, and related documents, each tailored to the unique requirements of individual projects and programs.
• Managing multiple priorities and concurrent projects, ensuring timely and effective execution of acquisition activities across a diverse portfolio.
• Reviewing contracts and agreements sponsored by various Smithsonian bureaus and offices, providing strategic guidance on contractual matters, and evaluating existing contracting practices and procedures.

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 LaWand Morgan, [e-mail]. 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