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Smithsonian Museum Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Smithsonian Institution

Editor, IS-1082-09

Washington, DC · On-site

$70K - $82K/yr

OVERVIEW About the National Museum of Asian Art The Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art opened in 1923 as America's first national art museum and the first Asian art museum in the United ...

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As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for smithsonian museum in the United States is $15.33, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $15.14 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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A Smithsonian Museum job refers to a position within the Smithsonian Institution, the world's largest museum, education, and research complex. Jobs range from curators and researchers to educators, conservators, and administrative staff. Employees work to preserve history, conduct research, and engage the public through exhibitions and educational programs. Opportunities exist across various museums, research centers, and cultural institutions under the Smithsonian umbrella.

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To thrive in a Smithsonian Museum role, candidates typically need expertise in museum studies, history, art, science, or a related field, often supported by a relevant degree or professional experience. Familiarity with collection management systems, digital cataloguing tools, and sometimes specialized certifications in conservation or education is advantageous. Strong interpersonal communication, public speaking, and organizational skills are vital for engaging visitors and collaborating with colleagues. These abilities are essential for ensuring successful operations, public programming, and preservation of the museum’s collections.

What are the typical responsibilities of a professional working at the Smithsonian Museum?

Professionals at the Smithsonian Museum may handle a wide range of responsibilities, including curating exhibits, conducting research, managing collections, developing educational programs, or guiding visitors. Depending on the specific position, you might work closely with educators, conservators, or other museum staff to create engaging experiences for diverse audiences. Teamwork is essential, as many projects require collaboration across departments to maintain the highest standards for stewardship and public engagement. This dynamic environment offers opportunities to deepen your expertise while making a meaningful impact on public appreciation of history, art, and culture.

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Getting a job at a Smithsonian Museum can be competitive due to high applicant volume and specific qualification requirements. Candidates often need relevant education, experience in museum work or related fields, and may undergo multiple interview stages. Familiarity with museum operations and strong communication skills are also beneficial.
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Infographic showing various Smithsonian Museum job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Locum Tenens, 1% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $31,896 per year, or $15.3 per hour.

Visitor Services Coordinator, IS-1001-07

Smithsonian Institution

Chantilly, VA

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 10 days ago

Smithsonian Institution rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 25 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

2nd of 29 rated museums

Job description

OPEN DATE: August 5, 2026                    
CLOSING DATE: August 19, 2026 *This announcement will remain open until 150 applications have been received. As a result, it may close prior to the posted closing date*.     
Promotion Potential      
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE:  Indefinite   
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Chantilly, VA

Position sensitivity and risk:
Non-sensitive/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. 
The Smithsonian Institution, National Air and Space Museum (NASM) seeks two coordinators for the Visitor Services program. The Visitor Services Coordinator works with the Visitor Services team to manage volunteers, communicate with the public, and support daily operations and activities at the Museum. The Visitor Services Coordinator works at both the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC and the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. 

This position is located in the Visitor Services Division within the Education and Visitor Experience Directorate of the National Air and Space Museum (NASM), Smithsonian Institution (SI). The Visitor Services Coordinator specializes in volunteer programming, training and management. They provide key support in the day-to-day work of the Visitor Services team. This includes entrance operations, health and safety, customer service, communication with the public, and collaboration with all NASM offices in addition to many SI offices. The incumbent will uphold the Smithsonian, National Air and Space Museum's philosophy, that the visitors' "first and last impression" of their experience at the Museum is positive.
The Visitor Services Coordinator has the following major responsibilities:
  • Support Visitor Services volunteer programs, including briefing volunteers at the Welcome Centers and managing museum floor operations. 
  • Plan, manage, and implement all elements of Visitor Services operations.
  • Provide customer service for Museum visitors, staff, and volunteers.
  •  Establish essential relationships and coordinate across the museum and greater Smithsonian to meet visitor and museum needs. 
  • Provide direction and logistical management to a diverse group of people, establishing, implementing, and maintaining policies and procedures that ensure the smooth operation of the Visitor Services volunteer program.
  • Maintain records of all volunteer activity, and provide administrative support to all NASM volunteers.
  • Oversee timed-entry operations, providing customer service for the public and support for contract staff team members, at NASM's Washington, DC location.
Education (if positive education is required) and Experience:
Degree: Bachelor's degree that included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester hours in a field related to the work of the position.
 
OR Combination of Education and Experience: At least 24 semester hours in a field related to the work of the position. The experience must have demonstrated (1) a thorough knowledge of the principles underlying the work of this position, and (2) understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the methods and techniques applied in performing work in this position.
OR Specialized Experience: Three years of specialized experience, which include volunteer management and training in an informal education setting. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-5 or above).

Experience required for this position is as follows:
  • Skill in providing services and assistance to visitors of a museum, education center, cultural or historical site, recreation site, or similar facility which receives large numbers of public visitors.
  • Knowledge and ability to manage and maintain large scale museum programming.
  • Knowledge of the logistical, legal and ethical issues associated with managing volunteers.
  • Ability to communicate verbally, and in writing, in a manner that is clear and easily understood by audiences of all ages, including an ability to meet and communicate with individuals from museums, cultural organizations, and businesses. Oral and written skills are leveraged to provide direction to volunteer staff via e-mail, briefings, presentations, and other methods as assigned.
  • Knowledge of NASM's programs and policies, sufficient to develop programs and visitor services that support initiatives of the Museum.
  • Knowledge of program goals, priorities, and commitments in the area of public service, sufficient to operate a volunteer program with maximum efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Problem solving skills exercising patience and tact, showing empathy but firmness in order to maintain Museum and Institution standards. 
  • Knowledge and discretion in seeking the involvement of the professional staff of the Museum and in making use of the various Museums or Institutional facilities.
  •  Working knowledge and skill of information technology in order to use computer applications to prepare communications, presentation materials, and reports.
  • Ability to de-escalate conflict with visitors regarding timed-entry requirements at the Museum's Washington, DC location.
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 NASM-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   

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