Seasonal Parking/Traffic Associate

Smithsonian Institution; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 52,723,507 - 74,390,400; Part time

Job summary

The Smithsonian Institution seeks a Seasonal Parking/Traffic Associate in Washington, DC. You will guide vehicle movement, direct traffic to optimize parking, and provide visitor information at the Zoo grounds.

Open to all qualified applicants; weekends, holidays, and evenings required. Prior cash handling or POS experience is a plus; ability to lift up to 25 pounds and endure outdoor conditions is essential. Temporary role with trust fund appointment and a background check.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED, or 6 months related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must exhibit clear communication skills and organized thought process.
• Knowledge of customer service principles and processes.
• Parking associates must operate a parking ticketing system and/or POS cash register.
• Basic math skills required.
• Must be flexible for scheduling.

Responsibilities

• Assist visitors with movement of vehicles throughout Zoo grounds and parking lots.
• Direct traffic to ensure parking spaces are filled safely and promptly.
• Provide general information about Zoo events and attractions.
• Accurately operate a POS cash register and maintain logs.
• Provide courteous, professional service to internal and external customers.
• Maintain knowledge of current promotions and exhibits.
• Work with supervisors to ensure safe and expeditious movement of visitors.

Skills

Clear communication

Customer service

Basic math

Flexible scheduling

Outdoor work

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

POS cash register

Job description

Seasonal Parking/Traffic Associate

Application Deadline: 27 July 2026

Department: Smithsonian Enterprises

Employment Type: Temporary

Location: Washington, DC

Reporting To: Parking Manager

Compensation: $18.40 / hour

Description

Open Date: July 20, 2026

Closing Date: July 27, 2026

Position Type: Trust Fund

Appointment Type: Temporary

Schedule: Intermittent

Duty Location: Washington, DC

Position sensitivity and risk: Low

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 responsible for assisting visitors with the movement of cars throughout zoo grounds and into the Zoo parking lots. The primary goal is to direct traffic flow and ensure all parking spaces are filled in a safe and timely manner by providing excellent communication with necessary parties to accomplish this. Responsible for providing general information to visitors about the Zoo and attractions. Occasional use of POS cash register may be necessary.

Duties and Responsibilities

Traffic Control

• Assists visitors with the movement of vehicles throughout Zoo grounds and parking lots.
• Directs traffic to ensure that parking spaces are filled in a safe and timely manner.
• Provides general information about Zoo events and attractions.

Parking Booth

• Accurately operates a POS cash register.
• Records in and maintains accurate and detailed logbooks.
• Ensures speedy and safe entrance of vehicles entering through the parking gates.

General

• Provides courteous, professional, and knowledgeable service to both internal and external customers; responds courteously and knowledgeably to visitor inquiries in a timely manner.
• Accurately handles cash and credit funds and media.
• Performs basic cleaning duties.
• Maintains knowledge of current sales, promotions, and exhibits. Takes initiative to recommend and provide information to visitors.
• Works cooperatively with supervisors to ensure the safe and expeditious movement of visitors throughout the Zoo.
• Adheres to safety and security policies. Recognizes security risks and thefts and is aware of how to prevent or handle these situations.
• Completes assignments efficiently and accurately with minimal supervision.
• Adheres to assigned schedule, demonstrating flexibility as needed to support the needs of the business in the Zoo and the parking facility.

Special Requirements

Candidates must be available weekends, holidays, and evenings.

Candidates must be able to move or lift up to 25 pounds and to stand for long periods of time.

Zoo employees may be working outside under varying and sometimes extreme weather conditions – both hot and cold, will be standing and walking for long periods of time over uneven and hilly terrain, and may work in a confined and limited space.

Qualification Requirements

High school diploma or general education diploma (GED), or at least 6 months related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Must exhibit clear communication skills and organized thought process.
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services.
• Parking Associates must be able to operate a parking ticketing system and/or a POS cash register.
• Basic math skills are required.
• Ability to perform basic selling techniques.
• Ability to maintain required work schedule and follow policies and procedures for taking leave.
• Must maintain a neat, clean, and conservative appearance in accordance with the Dress Code Policy.
• Experience working with both a diverse work force and visitor groups.
• Must be flexible for scheduling.

Applicants, who wish to qualify based on 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.

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, review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.

The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To review The Smithsonian's EEO program information, please visit https://www.si.edu/oeo.