Public Affairs Specialist

Smithsonian; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 144,000 - 163,000; Full time

Job summary

Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture seeks a Public Affairs Specialist to serve as senior communications strategist and institutional spokesperson. You will advance the Museum’s public presence, reputation, and community engagement across channels, collaborating with curatorial, programmatic, and administrative teams to amplify mission and impact.

You will develop and execute integrated communications plans, advise leadership on public sentiment, and contribute

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, or political science (preferred).
• 5–8 years in media relations, strategic planning, or public affairs.
• 2–6 years managing staff, leading teams, or directing projects.

Responsibilities

• Serve as senior communications strategist and institutional spokesperson.
• Develop and execute integrated communications strategies amplifying the Museum's mission and impact.
• Lead liaison between curatorial, programmatic, and administrative teams and diverse publics.
• Present speeches, conduct media interviews, and oversee digital media content.

Skills

Media relations

Public affairs

Strategic planning

Leadership

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications or related field

Job description

Public Affairs Specialist

Application Deadline: 20 October 2026

Department: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Washington, DC

Reporting To: Director of Office of Public Affairs

Compensation: $143,913 - $163,104 / year

Description

OPEN DATE: October 6, 2026

CLOSING DATE: October 20, 2026

POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund

APPOINTMENT TYPE: Trust Indefinite

SCHEDULE: Full Time

DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC

• 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

This position is located in the Office of Public Affairs, National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), under Secretary for Museums and Culture, Smithsonian Institution (SI). The NMAAHC is the national museum for the study and exposition of African American history and culture. Its primary purposes are to acquire, maintain and preserve objects which document social, cultural, political, military, technological and scientific developments associated with African Americans in the United States; to conduct scholarly research designed to make significant contributions to the body of knowledge in the field of African American history; to publish findings for both scholarly and general audiences; and to interpret historical developments through public exhibits and programs.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

As a Public Affairs Specialist you will serve as the senior communications strategist and institutional spokesperson with responsibility for advancing the Museum’s public presence, reputation, and community engagement across all channels and audiences. You will provide leadership in the development and execution of integrated communications strategies that amplify the Museum's mission, programming, and impact. In this role you will serve as a critical bridge between the institution's curatorial, programmatic, and administrative teams and its diverse public audiences, that include visitors, donors, media, government partners, and the broader community.

In this position you will:

• In collaboration with the Director and subordinate supervisory staff, analyze, evaluate and develop program goals and objectives.
• Determine resource needs and the content and character of program components.
• Identify specific population groups and work cooperatively with professional, state and academic leaders to develop programs directed at these groups.
• Determine which key groups should be involved in the program development and develop plans to integrate and reconcile informational programs into existing endeavors.
• Determine and establish priorities based upon national, regional, and local needs.
• Advise the Museum’s senior leadership regarding consumer opinion, interests, concerns, needs and requests.
• Provide advice related to the need for public dissemination of information, as well as recommended format and approach.
• Serve as a primary information resource for the Museum.
• Establish and maintain liaison with respective professionals involved with the study of African American History and Culture, as well as consumers, and cooperating national, state and local agencies.
• Liaison to analyze and evaluate existing informational programs and initiatives, providing advice for improvements, promoting agency programs of major impact and consequence, and coordinating respective programs.
• Liaison with administrative directors and appointed/elected leaders of the professional organizations or other individuals involved in the study of African American History and Culture.
• Liaison with agencies and program directors who are responsible for the design and implementation of education programs applicable to study of African American History and Culture.
• Liaison with recognized national technical/subject matter experts whose endorsement of and active involvement in Museum programs impact on the credibility and ultimate success of programs.
• Liaison with Museum and Educational industry representatives and leaders who can support Museum programs.
• Develop, provide oversight of and present papers, reports, and special studies in support of agency activities.
• Present speeches concerned with program issues and goals.
• Appear on radio/television and conduct interviews with media representatives and museum staff and provide oversight, mentorship and direction to staff members developing and submitting material for inclusion in all types of digital media.
• Participate in national agency committees, task forces and participate/oversee special assignments in analyzing, evaluating, modifying or developing Museum programs.
• Serve as the Museum representative on applicable local, state and cooperating federal committees and programs.
• Provide oversight and direction for and represents the Museum at public events, press previews, community forums, and external convenings.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Experience: The ideal candidate should have the demonstrated experience described below:

• Analyzing, evaluating and developing a museum’s goals and objectives. Determining and establishing priorities based on museum’s needs.
• Developing and providing oversight of and presenting papers, reports, and studies in support of museum activities.
• Assist with the implementation of the museum’s goals and objectives based on the priorities identified by leadership.
• Coordinating the endorsement and promotion of a museum's programs.
• A bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, or political science is preferred.
• At least five to eight years of work in media relations, strategic planning, or public affairs. High-level or large non-profit positions.
• Two to six years of experience managing staff, leading teams, or directing projects.

Should you wish to use your education with the application package, please provide unofficial transcripts at the time of application.

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. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

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 Darya Lilie at [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