Editorial Coordinator

Smithsonian Institution; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The Smithsonian Institution invites applications for an Editorial Coordinator within Smithsonian Enterprises in Washington, DC. You will assist magazine staff with editorial and administrative duties, manage contracts and invoices, and help research and write articles for print and web.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree and 1–3 years’ related editing experience, strong writing and research skills, proficiency with Word, Excel, Docusign, and Adobe products, and the ability to work both

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university and 1–3 years of related editing experience.
• Understanding of basic journalism practices and ethics
• Excellent attention to detail
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Docusign and other Microsoft and Adobe products
• Prior experience with InDesign / InCopy is helpful
• Knowledge of grammar, spelling, punctuation and how to use library reference material
• Ability to organize information in an established style of presentation so that it is clear and concise
• Ability to interact positively with Smithsonian staff and the public
• Experience and talent working both independently and in a team-oriented environment
• Ability to be flexible during times of change, shifting priorities, demands and timelines

Responsibilities

• Research and write online news briefs, digital features, print sidebars, and other short-form articles, often under tight deadlines.
• Participate in brainstorming sessions for editorial packages, historic anniversaries, and other timely story opportunities.
• Generate original story ideas for all Smithsonian website content verticals.
• Produce and publish articles within the magazine’s content management system.
• Fulfill research requests for editors, including online, library, and photography-related research.
• Assist with production of magazine content for the tablet app and Apple News+, including gathering editorial feedback for the digital production team.
• Occasionally fact-check magazine articles.
• Perform other duties and special assignments, as assigned.

Skills

Journalism ethics

Editing

Research skills

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Four-year college degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Docusign

InDesign

InCopy

Adobe products

Job description

Application Deadline: 21 October 2026

Department: Smithsonian Enterprises

Location: Washington, DC

Compensation: $60,000 - $65,000 / year

OPEN DATE: October 7, 2026

CLOSING DATE: October 21, 2026

POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund

APPOINTMENT TYPE: Indefinite

SCHEDULE: Full Time

DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC

Position sensitivity and risk: 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.

OVERVIEW

Smithsonian Enterprises (SE) consists of Smithsonian Magazine, Retail Stores, Food Service and Concessions, Catalogue Sales, Licensing, Visual Media, Smithsonian Travel, and corporate support functions. SE produces revenue annually to support the mission of Smithsonian Institution.

As an integral part of the Smithsonian magazine editorial team, the editorial coordinator assists magazine staff with editorial and administrative duties, including handling contracts, invoices and payments; and researching and writing articles for print and web.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Editorial Duties Include:

• Research and write online news briefs, digital features, print sidebars, and other short-form articles, often under tight deadlines.
• Participate in brainstorming sessions for editorial packages, historic anniversaries, and other timely story opportunities.
• Generate original story ideas for all Smithsonian website content verticals.
• Produce and publish articles within the magazine’s content management system.
• Fulfill research requests for editors, including online, library, and photography-related research.
• Assist with production of magazine content for the tablet app and Apple News+, including gathering editorial feedback for the digital production team.
• Occasionally fact-check magazine articles.
• Perform other duties and special assignments, as assigned.

Administrative and Operations:

• Handle correspondence with authors and researchers, including drafting, issuing, and tracking contracts and invoices, and ensuring timely payment processing.
• Collaborate with editors, photo editors, designers, the Creative Director, and Accounting to manage invoice processing and payments.
• Maintain shared, searchable digital files of contributor contracts.
• Track editorial spending for features, photography, and illustrations; compile and submit monthly reconciliation reports to accounting.
• Monitor contract rights and permissions and distribute monthly rights restrictions updates to database companies.
• Manage logistics and submissions for journalism and publishing award competitions.
• Create and maintain complimentary issue distribution lists for writers, photographers, and other contributors.
• Update the Regents’ masthead for each issue of the magazine.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university and 1-3 years of related experience, training; or equivalent combination of education and editing experience at a news gathering organization.

• Understanding of basic journalism practices and ethics
• Excellent general computer and online research skills, Mac experience preferred
• Excellent attention to detail
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Docusign and other Microsoft and Adobe products
• Prior experience with K4/InDesign / InCopy is helpful
• Knowledge of grammar, spelling, punctuation and how to use library reference material
• Ability to organize information in an established style of presentation so that it is clear and concise
• Ability to interact positively with Smithsonian staff and the public
• Experience and talent working both independently and in a team-oriented environment
• Ability to be flexible during times of change, shifting priorities, demands and timelines
• Ability to react to project adjustments and alterations promptly and efficiently
• Ability to learn, understand and apply new technologies and tools

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".

Relocation expenses are not paid.

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact [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