Collection Management Specialist

Smithsonian; Washington, Northern (District of Columbia, KY); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Smithsonian Institution's National Collections Program in Washington, DC, seeks a professional to assist in developing, reviewing, and organizing collections management policies and guidance, while supporting program administration and coordination.

Qualified candidates have specialized experience in policy development, documentation, and facilitating implementation, with an emphasis on compliance and cross‑functional collaboration across units.

Qualifications

• Experience developing, reviewing, editing, and organizing institutional and unit-level collections management policies, plans, procedures, guidelines, and implementation documents.
• Ability to ensure compliance with SD 600 within a multi-disciplinary cultural heritage institution.
• Provides administrative, logistical, and programmatic support for collections initiatives and maintains digital information-sharing platforms.

Skills

Specialized experience

Policy development

Administrative support

Education

Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree

Tools

Digital information-sharing platforms

Job description

More than one selection may be made from this announcement.

This position is located inthe National Collections Program (NCP), Under Secretary for Museums & Culture at the Smithsonian Institution (SI). The National Collections Program serves as a principal advocate and advisor to Smithsonian leadership, collecting unit directors, and staff on matters relating to collections stewardship.

Experience:

You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal Service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as assists in developing, reviewing, editing, and organizing institutional and unit-level collections management policies, plans, procedures, guidelines, and implementation documents, including compliance with SD 600, within a multi-disciplinary cultural heritage institution. Provides administrative, logistical, and programmatic support for collections initiatives and maintains digital information‑sharing platforms.

Your resume must be no more than two (2) pages and should clearly demonstrate how your experience aligns with the responsibilities and specialized experience required for this position. Do not copy language directly from the vacancy announcement, as you will be deemed ineligible for consideration. Instead, provide detailed, descriptive information about your actual experience.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be considered to determine the total number of years and months of experience. Be sure to note the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week.

Or Education:

Or Education:

Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degreeor 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degreeor LL.M.

Or a Combination: Education and experience may be combined to meet the basic qualifications. For a full explanation of this option please see the Qualification Standards.

Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are qualifying by education and/or you have education completed in a foreign college/university described above, it is your responsibility to provide transcripts and proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study. For instructions on where to fax these documents, see the \"Required Documents\" section of this announcement.