Permanent Space Science Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Export Compliance Officer, IS-1101-13
Application Deadline: 20 August 2026
Department: Office of the Under Secretary for Science & Research
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Washington, DC
Compensation: $121,785 - $158,322 / year
Description
OPEN DATE: July 20, 2026
CLOSING DATE: August 20, 2026
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Permanent
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC
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
This position is located organizationally in the Office of the Under Secretary for Science and Research at the Smithsonian Institution (SI) and reports to the Director of Research Compliance. The Smithsonian is a diverse museum, education, and research complex dedicated to the increase and diffusion of knowledge.
As one of the world's most respected cultural, historical, and scientific institutions, the Smithsonian offers an exceptional opportunity to contribute to research, discovery, education, preservation, and public service on a national and global scale. This includes advancing the Institution's mission across fields such as aerospace, astronomy, space science, history, culture, and the humanities, reflected in the work of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO), the National Air and Space Museum, and the Institution's many museums, research centers, and collections.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This position oversees the Institution's export controls compliance function, ensuring compliance with applicable legal, regulatory, and policy requirements. The role supports a broad portfolio of scientific, cultural, and historical activity, including space science and astrophysics research, making it a distinctive opportunity to help enable responsible and compliant research, scholarship, collections stewardship, and discovery at the frontiers of knowledge.
This position is full-time and is based in Washington, DC, with recurring travel to Cambridge, MA in support of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO).

• Manages the SAO and SI export control process, provides day-to-day export and import operations and compliance oversight, mitigates risks, maintains records, and conducts compliance and program effectiveness assessments.
• Implements, administers, and audits policies and procedures at SAO and SI for all export and import control matters, including such tasks as:
• Interpreting ITAR, EAR, and FTR;
• Establishing Project Technology Control Plans;
• Determining the Export Control Classification Number (ECCN);
• Determining licensing exceptions or requirements;
• Screening end-users, end-use, and countries for exported technology;
• Screens contractors, visitors, and foreign nationals seeking access to controlled facilities within the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) and Smithsonian Institution (SI) to ensure compliance with applicable export control regulations, security requirements, and institutional policies.
• Evaluates and provides guidance on international travel requirements, including travel involving embargoed, sanctioned, or otherwise restricted countries, to ensure compliance with U.S. export control and trade regulations.
• Collaborates with SAO and SI Shipping and Receiving Offices to support transportation management activities related to export control compliance, including the shipment and receipt of goods, freight coordination, carrier and rate management, and the movement of export-controlled commodities and equipment.
• Implements SI's compliance program ensuring all units are in compliance with the applicable export control laws and regulations that pertain to the conduct of its research and other activities, including the EAR, ITAR, and the Foreign Trade Regulations [FTR] as well as to improve compliance with technology restrictions on foreign national employees and visitors, license management, compliance determination and screening, IT and physical security, training, and documentation.
• Develops and conducts training programs on export regulations and compliance, EAR and ITAR regulations, foreign national issues related to international travel, and related issues, including travel to proscribed and sanctioned countries.
• Aids in transportation management functions relating to SI export control initiatives such as shipping, receiving, freight traffic/rates, and commodities.
• Maintains and updates the Smithsonian Directive on a SI-wide export compliance policy that ensures SI compliance with federal export control laws, regulations, and policies.
• Continuously updates a SI-wide export compliance implementation plan.
• Coordinates closely with key internal stakeholder offices, including the Office of Global Affairs, the Office of General Counsel, the Office of Sponsored Projects, the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, and other SI Units.
• Performs other related duties, as assigned.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Experience: To qualify for this position, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level. Specialized experience is defined as five years of progressively responsible experience administering and managing export controls compliance programs within a university, research institution, corporate, or comparable environment.
Qualifying experience includes:Extensive knowledge and understanding of the following:

• U.S. State Department's International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR);
• U.S. Department of Commerce's Export Administration Regulations (EAR);
• U.S. Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) requirements; and Foreign Trade Regulations [FTR], Import and Export Clearance Regulations, International Shipping Logistics and Regulations, Loading Regulations, and Freight Classifications.
• Possesses an ITAR/EAR or Trade Compliance certification, has completed a relevant course of study in export controls or trade compliance, or is recognized by the U.S. Department of State's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) as a qualified export controls expert.
• Experience in preparing export control licenses, executing technical assistance and non-disclosure agreements, and familiarity with export licensing determinations.
• Expert knowledge of and relevant experience in export control compliance in a research environment at a non-profit organization or at an institution of higher education.
• Demonstrated knowledge of scientific instruments and technologies used in national and international space- and ground-based telescope programs or possesses broad and adaptable technical expertise sufficient to advise researchers on the export control implications of project technologies, technical data, deliverables, presentations, publications, collaborations, and personnel activities.
• Knowledge of Department of State and Immigration and Naturalization Service requirements as they apply to foreign nationals. Familiarity with the fundamentals and processing of visas and petition for visas to ascertain reason and purpose of foreign national visitors.
• Demonstrated ability to obtain cooperation from technical and programmatic staff in compliance responsibilities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills sufficient to prepare written guidance and decisions; to tactfully explain and defend decisions to project personnel, sponsors, and higher-level reviewing officials; and to give oral presentations to staff who require information on export control matters.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in developing policies, procedures, and training; managing compliance programs; and ability to prioritize, plan, analyze, and execute multiple and complex export control related activities as well as work independently with minimal oversight or direction while meeting deadlines.
• Excellent customer service, communication, and interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to interact effectively, tactfully, and diplomatically with individuals from diverse backgrounds and organizational levels. Proven ability to apply negotiation, collaboration, and facilitation techniques to lead discussions, build consensus, resolve complex issues, and foster productive working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to understand and evaluate the technical aspects of complex research programs and projects, with sufficient depth of knowledge to advise researchers on the export control compliance implications of technologies, technical data, deliverables, presentations, publications, collaborations, and personnel involved in project activities.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively at all levels in an organization and as a team member including relationships with employees and project officials within SI and with external contacts.
• Knowledge of information systems, including database development and maintenance.
• Proficiency in the use of personal computers and standard business software applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint, as well as web-based systems and internet browsers. Demonstrated ability to effectively utilize technology to manage information, analyze data, prepare reports, and support daily business operations.

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 PrescottS@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