Parking Associate, IS-0303-05

Smithsonian Institution; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 31,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum seeks a Parking Associate in Chantilly, VA to support the Udvar-Hazy Center operations, handling parking transactions, guiding visitors, and ensuring smooth traffic flow.

The role requires excellent customer service, cash handling, and the ability to work in a high-volume environment. This continuous recruitment is open to qualified applicants, with diverse shifts including full-time, part-time, and on-call schedules.

Qualifications

• Experience with cash handling and reconciliation.
• Ability to operate a POS cash register in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• Collaborates well with a diverse team.

Responsibilities

• Support daily parking operations and facilitate entry/exit of vehicles.
• Process parking transactions and issue receipts; report cash variances.
• Provide accurate directions and information to visitors.
• Coordinate with security, store, IT and staff as needed.

Skills

Cash handling

POS system

Customer service

Teamwork

Communication

Problem solving

Tools

POS system

Job description

Parking Associate, IS-0303-05

Department: National Air and Space Museum

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Chantilly, VA

Reporting To: Parking Operations Manager

Compensation: $22.33 - $29.03 / hour

Description

OPEN DATE

September 22,2026

CLOSING DATE

* This continuous recruitment vacancy announcement has no closing date and will remain open to support ongoing hiring needs. Qualified applicants will be added to a candidate pool, and applications will be reviewed periodically as vacancies occur. *

POSITION TYPE

Trust Fund

APPOINTMENT TYPE

Indefinite

SCHEDULE

Multiple work schedules, including full-time, part-time, and on-call appointments, may be available. Please specify your preferred schedule in your application materials.

DUTY LOCATION

Udvar-Hazy Center, Chantilly, VA

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.

OVERVIEW

The Parking Associate position is located within the Business Operations Unit of the National Air and Space Museum (NASM), Smithsonian Institution. NASM is one of the world's premier centers for the study of aviation, spaceflight, planetary science, and Earth sciences. The Museum attracts more than 9 million visitors annually across its two locations: the National Mall Building in Washington, DC, and the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia.

The Museum is organized into six major departments led by an executive leadership team and employs approximately 280 full-time and 90 part-time staff. NASM operates with an annual budget of approximately $35 million and is currently supporting a major transformation initiative that includes raising an additional $250 million to modernize and reimagine exhibit galleries and public spaces throughout the National Mall facility. This position contributes to the operational success of one of the Smithsonian Institution's largest and most visited museums.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The selected candidate will serve as a Parking Associate and provide support to ensure the efficient and effective operation of the Museum's parking facilities. The Parking Associate plays a key role in supporting daily parking operations while assisting visitors and resolving routine parking-related inquiries. This position is based at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia.

This position delivers excellent customer service, processes parking transactions, and follows established procedures in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.

Operations

• Assists with the day-to-day operations of the parking facility. Ensures effective and safe entrance and exit of vehicles through parking gates. Independently and accurately operate a POS cash register.
• Accurately collects both credit and cash parking charges from customers and returning correct change and receipts. Communicates cash overages or shortages to the Supervisor.
• Works in a highly effective team environment with other Associates and Supervisors.
• Communicates and collaborates with visitor services, store, IT and other museum staff.
• Document opening and closing till amounts.
• Adheres to SOP's surrounding cash handling, opening and closing duties. Abides by uniform standards and dress codes.
• Patrols parking areas and reports safety concerns or hazards to security. Provides traffic control as needed (rarely).
• Assists in removal of snow and ice from vehicle entry lanes as needed (rarely).
• Completes and submits a written report of accident damage to vehicle or equipment malfunction (rarely).

Customer Service

• Provides friendly customer service and direction to customers entering and exiting the parking facility. Discussion of museum experience, if visitor shows interest, ask about visit that day, and offers that they should return soon.
• Directs customers to ensure smooth traffic flow throughout parking lot.

Performs related duties and responsibilities 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.

• Experience with practices, methods and processes of the day-to-day operations of a parking program in order to provide support and assistance to the Business Operations Unit.
• Knowledge of cash-handling and reconciliation procedures, including operating a cash register and ensuring accurate accounting of funds and transactions.
• Ability to investigate and reconcile discrepancies relating to such items as receipt control, parking charge issues, or safety concerns.
• Capacity to work with others and provide high-quality and efficient customer service to meet customer needs.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally in a fast-paced environment to assist customers, address concerns, and handle a variety of situations with tact and sound judgment

Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.

The Smithsonian Institution values and seeks a diverse workforce. Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: https://www.si.edu/oeesd.