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Special Assistant, IS-0301-09
Application Deadline: 18 September 2026
Department: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Edgewater, MD
Compensation: $70,623 - $77,687 / year
Description
OPEN DATE: August 25, 2026
CLOSING DATE: September 18, 2026
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Indefinite
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Edgewater, MD
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 Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) is a leading research and education center within the Smithsonian Institution devoted to understanding and protecting the environment. Situated in a scenic semi-rural location near Annapolis, Baltimore, and Washington, DC, SERC brings together a thriving community of more than 200 scientists, educators, administrators, technicians, postdoctoral fellows, and student researchers. Together, they work alongside interns, over 500 dedicated volunteers, and engage with nearly 25,000 visitors annually. Covering 2,650 acres, SERC's campus functions as a living laboratory where long-term studies examine the health and resilience of forests, farmland, wetlands, shorelines, and estuarine ecosystems.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Join the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) as an Special Assistant to the Director and Senior Management. In this highly visible role, you will serve as a central liaison for the Director, managing calendars, coordinating meetings, preparing correspondence and briefing materials, and supporting a variety of strategic and administrative initiatives.
This full-time position provides exceptional opportunities for professional development and career growth at a world-class institution with an international reputation for excellence and innovation.
Provide comprehensive logistical and administrative support to the SERC Director and Senior Management by assisting with the coordination and execution of activities, including, but not limited to:

• Schedule meetings and maintain calendar for the Director
• Assist in creating meeting agendas and preparing presentations
• Attend meetings, take notes, prepare summary and action items
• Receive and screen communications and provide requested information or refer to Director or appropriate personnel for response and action
• Serve as a liaison to other Smithsonian offices for certain administrative matters
• Prepare travel authorizations and vouchers for Director and Senior Management, make travel and hotel reservations, prepare background information for trips
• Assist with campus tours and special events coordination
• Other Duties as Assigned - Performs additional administrative and program tasks as directed by management to support SERC operations.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Candidates may qualify for this position through a combination of education, demonstrated knowledge, and related professional experience.

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university is required

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.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Strong time management and organizational skills
• Excellent communications skills, both orally and in writing/emails
• Knowledge of proper spelling, grammar, punctuation and standard business letter writing to prepare correspondence
• Ability to interact diplomatically and effectively with a variety of people, including senior-level personnel within the Smithsonian and from external organizations
• Ability to work with in a team setting with senior-level personnel and to communicate their guidance and instruction to other staff to advance SERC programs and priorities
• A strong foundation of administrative skills, and knowledge of concepts, principles, processes and practices to help facilitate the procedural operations for an effective and efficient office
• Significant experience with Microsoft Office Suite applications; Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Ability to manage diverse tasks simultaneously and to adjust in response to changing circumstances and timelines
• Ability to manage an office filing system
• Strong self-motivation and ability to work independently

TO APPLY:
Interested candidates must submit a resume detailing both paid and unpaid experience relevant to this position. The resume must include the start and end dates (month and year) for each position, as well as the average number of hours worked per week. While a cover letter is strongly encouraged, it is not required. All application materials must be submitted through the online application portal using the link provided above.
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. Qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager and invited for an interview. If you are chosen for an interview you will need to provide multiple references, including title and contact information, who are familiar with your work and professional skills and abilities.
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.
Relocation expenses are not paid.
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact SERC_HR@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. To review The Smithsonian's EEO program information, please click the following: https://www.si.edu/oeo