Conservation Program Manager Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Program Analyst (Academic Appointment Coordinator), IS-0343-9
Application Deadline: 23 July 2026
Department: National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Front Royal, VA
Compensation: $70,623 - $91,815 / year
Description
OPEN DATE: July 9, 2026
CLOSING DATE: July 23, 2026 (This job will close once 100 applications are received which may be sooner than the closing date.)
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Temporary, not to exceed two years. (May be extended based on funds availability.)
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC or Front Royal, VA
Position sensitivity and risk:
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Who May Apply:
Open to all Qualified ApplicantsThis is a career ladder opportunity with promotion potential to grade IS-11. Promotion to the next higher grade, up to IS-11, may occur at management's discretion upon the supervisor's recommendation, subject to the availability of funds, classification requirements, satisfactory performance, and the employee's qualifications.
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 Smithsonian Institution is a unique complex of 21 museums and galleries, the National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute and nine research centers. The Smithsonian is a national and world treasure and is dedicated to its founding mission, "the increase and diffusion of knowledge." The Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute plays a leading role in the Smithsonian's global efforts to save wildlife species from extinction and train future generations of conservationists.
The Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) is a leader in the conservation, care, exhibition, and research of wildlife and habitats. NZCBI's employees in the nation's capital, Virginia, and worldwide and as part of the Smithsonian make it prominent in national and international affairs involving conservation, zoos, wildlife, public outreach, and biological research.
This position is located at NZCBI 3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington DC 20008 or 1500 Remount Road, Front Royal, VA 22630.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This position supports a Smithsonian Institution unit and coordinates with the Office of Academic Appointments and Internships (OAAI), unit leadership, program personnel and support staff to develop, implement, and manage intern, fellow, research associate, and visiting researcher activities throughout the unit. The incumbent works using their own initiative with minimal instruction and guidance. Incumbent must exercise utmost tact, diplomacy and discretion in daily contacts. This position contributes to the comprehensive, intentional, and transformative experience of all interns and for all graduate, predoctoral, postdoctoral, and senior fellows by collaborating with scholars, researchers, and diverse staff throughout the unit. This position facilitates the academic and career enhancement of interns and fellows through outreach, onboarding, administrative, and programmatic support.
In this position, you will conduct the following duties and responsibilities:

• Program Administration: Sets program goals, develops and manages all coordination for unit academic appointments for interns, fellows, and research associates. Develops and implements internal unit procedures for recruitment, qualification, placement, extension, and coordinates general facility and system access requirements. Assures that stipends, orientation, training, and other administrative requirements for academic appointees are met. Maintains working knowledge of central application system and attends change management and training sessions.
• Communication: Advises and disseminates information to unit staff on academic appointment policies and practices for interns, fellows, and research associates. Provides presentations and briefings to recognize new academic appointees as well as advertise programs. Provides stakeholder guidance for the development and product of unit academic appointment web pages. Meets periodically with academic appointees and arranges group activities to other SI research facilities, libraries, and museums.
• Liaison with Smithsonian Institution Central Offices: Serves as a liaison and synchronizes unit efforts with central SI offices on jointly managed programs. Acts as a liaison to the Smithsonian Institution Office of Academic Appointments and Internships (OAAI) and Office of Global Affairs. Coordinates stipend arranges with central offices, unit supervisors, and fund managers. Collaborate with OAAI for development and implementation of impactful and comprehensive academic, career, and social enrichment programming open to SI interns and fellows.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Knowledge and understanding of the concepts, principles, and practices of experiential education, higher education and academic and career programs to develop and maintain partnerships with colleges, universities, and other educational organizations.
• Skill in applying knowledge to carry out assignments and solve problems.
• Skill in database management and experience in working with automated systems and online application systems.
• Skill in written and oral communication.
• Skill in customer service and resolving problems.
• Skill in facilitating collaboration between internal and external offices.
• Ability to analyze agency policy and develop internal procedures, controls, plans, and guides.
• Ability to communicate current affairs to large groups of people.
• Ability to take initiative and make recommendations for improvement of processes and workflow.
• Experience using Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel, and SharePoint.
• Demonstrate attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

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."
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 LaDonnys Biagas, BiagasL@si.edu. 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. 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.