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Management Support Assistant for Travel & Purchasing, IS-0303-07
Application Deadline: 18 September 2026
Department: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Edgewater, MD
Compensation: $57,736 / year
Description
OPEN DATE: August 20, 2026
CLOSING DATE: September 19, 2026 * This announcement will close upon receipt of 300 applications, which may occur before the stated closing date. *
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC
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 unit of the Smithsonian Institution dedicated to advancing environmental science and education. Situated on a 2,650-acre campus, SERC serves as a living laboratory for long-term ecosystem research across forests, agricultural lands, wetlands, shorelines, and estuaries. Located in a semi-rural setting within convenient commuting distance of Annapolis, Baltimore, and Washington, DC, SERC is home to a vibrant community of more than 200 staff members, including scientists, administrators, educators, technicians, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate and undergraduate researchers. Each year, this collaborative community works alongside interns, more than 500 volunteers, and approximately 25,000 public visitors to support research, education, and environmental stewardship.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) invites applications for a Management Support Assistant, Travel and Purchasing. This full-time position offers excellent opportunities for professional growth and career development within a world-renowned organization recognized globally for its excellence in research, education, and public service. As part of SERC's collaborative and dynamic community, the successful candidate will play a key role in supporting travel coordination and purchasing operations for the Center.
Travel management: 70%

• Daily use of ConcurGov travel system for travel management
• Provide travel management support to SERC staff and invitational travelers, including international travelers
• Prepare and review travel authorizations, vouchers, and local vouchers
• Monitor payment of vouchers and ensure all payment/funding discrepancies are resolved
• Assist in training new staff in best practices and expectations for travel planning and voucher submissions
• Provide support to staff on the use of Government Travel Charge Cards, including briefing personnel on the proper use
• Provide updates to SERC administration on travel expenditures and travel frequency

Procurement/purchasing: 30%

• Prepare and process purchase card transactions, purchase orders and contracts as assigned by supervisor
• Assist in preparing and organizing procurement documentation, including statements of work, request for proposals, vendor enrollment
• Assist with monthly review and reconciliation of transactions by purchase card users to ensure accuracy and compliance with Smithsonian policy and regulations

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

• Associates degree or higher
• Familiarity with travel authorization, voucher processing, travel documentation requirements and professional procurement processes is preferred but not required
• Experience with Concur and/or other travel management systems and/or People Soft financial software is preferred but not 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
• Significant experience with Microsoft Suite, especially MS Excel
• Strong customer service, communication and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and to prioritize tasks according to schedule and importance
• 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.
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 to 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