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Volunteer Smithsonian Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Museum Technician

Washington, DC · On-site +1

$57K - $75K/yr

Summary The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex ... Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable ...

Museum Specialist

Washington, DC · On-site +1

$121K - $158K/yr

Summary The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex ... Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable ...

Education Specialist

Washington, DC · On-site +1

$121K - $158K/yr

Summary The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex ... Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable ...

Showing results 41-60

Volunteer Smithsonian information

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$8

$19

$33

How much do volunteer smithsonian jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for volunteer smithsonian in the United States is $19.14, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $20.19 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Volunteer Smithsonian vs Volunteer National Park?

AspectVolunteer SmithsonianVolunteer National Park
Required CredentialsNo formal credentials needed; interest in history, education, or museum work preferredNo formal credentials needed; interest in conservation, outdoor work, or park history preferred
Work EnvironmentMuseums, research centers, educational programs within Smithsonian institutionsOutdoor settings, parks, natural landscapes, visitor centers in national parks
Employer & IndustrySmithsonian Institution, museums, educational and research institutionsNational Park Service, federal government, outdoor recreation and conservation
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

The Volunteer Smithsonian typically involves working indoors in museums, research centers, or educational programs, focusing on history, science, or culture. In contrast, Volunteer National Park roles are outdoors, emphasizing conservation, outdoor recreation, and park preservation. Both roles are volunteer-based, require no formal credentials, and serve to educate and engage the public in their respective fields.

What cities are hiring for Volunteer Smithsonian jobs? Cities with the most Volunteer Smithsonian job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Smithsonian jobs? The most popular types of Smithsonian jobs are:
What states have the most Volunteer Smithsonian jobs? States with the most job openings for Volunteer Smithsonian jobs include:
Infographic showing various Volunteer Smithsonian job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $39,804 per year, or $19.1 per hour.

Supervisory Research Zoologist

Smithsonian Institution

Washington, DC • On-site, Remote

$143K - $187K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 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

Summary
The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo. This position is located in the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI), Washington, DC. with duty location in either Washington D.C. or Front Royal, VA.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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The Supervisory Research Zoologist leads research groups and conducts research in one or several areas of expertise, including, but not limited to, using genomic and transcriptomic data to assess genetic diversity, adaptation, resilience and population history.
In this position, you will:
  • Lead the development of a multifaceted research program in conservation genomics that addresses a broad range of complex scientific questions and applied conservation challenges.
  • Conduct research using one or several advanced technologies and tools such as genomic, transcriptomic, environmental DNA (eDNA), and ancient DNA approaches to evaluate genetic diversity, population history, species distribution, abundance, diet, evolutionary processes, and conservation outcomes, while advancing bioinformatics tools and methods to inform conservation strategies.
  • Develop and communicate scientifically rigorous conclusions through peer-reviewed publications and other scholarly contributions that advance the field of conservation genomics.
  • Serve as a subject matter expert and consultant to scientists, researchers, and professionals within Federal agencies, universities, laboratories, zoological parks, and research institutions on matters related to conservation genomics.
  • Supervise, direct, coordinate, and oversee the programs functions, and initiatives performed by staff.

Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • Pass Pre-employment Background Investigation
  • May need to complete a Probationary Period
  • Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer
  • Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.

Conditions of Employment
Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions on OPM website.
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications
  1. Degree: zoology; or a related discipline or field of science that included at least 20 semester hours in zoology and related animal sciences.
    OR
  2. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in zoology, or in a related discipline that included course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Graduate Education: To be qualifying, graduate study must have been in one of the major fields of zoology or have followed a curriculum or pattern of training that placed major emphasis on one of these disciplines or subject-matter fields, such as nematology or parasitology. Graduate study in related fields of science such as microbiology, medicine, veterinary medicine, or plant pathology that involved cross-training in zoology or one of the fields of zoology may also be qualifying, provided there was a sufficient amount of emphasis on zoology.
In addition to the basic qualification requirement above:
Experience: You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 level in the Federal Service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as developing, planning, and implementing a science and conservation program, leading and supervising others that lead to advance the field of conservation genomics and related research areas.
Your resume must be no more than two (2) pages and should clearly demonstrate how your experience aligns with the responsibilities and specialized experience required for this position. Do not copy language directly from the vacancy announcement, as you will be deemed ineligible for consideration. Instead, provide detailed, descriptive information about your actual experience.
In addition to a two-page resume, please provide a Curriculum Vitae (CV) with your publications, grants, professional accomplishments, and other relevant qualifications and activities.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be considered to determine the total number of years and months of experience. Be sure to note the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week.
Or a Combination: Education and experience may be combined to meet the basic qualifications. For a full explanation of this option please see the Qualification Standards. Special instructions for Foreign Education: If you are qualifying by education and/or you have education completed in a foreign college/university described above, it is your responsibility to provide transcripts and proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study. For instructions on where to fax these documents, see the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
Additional information
This position is not included in the bargaining unit.
Recruitment Incentive: Recruitment incentive(s) may be authorized for this position. However, approval for incentives are contingent upon various availability. If authorized, certain incentives will require the incumbent to sign a service agreement to remain in the Federal government for a certain time period.
Note: This statement does not imply nor guarantee an incentive will be offered and paid.
Selections may be made for vacancies across the Smithsonian Institution (SI). By applying to this position, you agree to allow your application and other personal information to be shared with one or more SI hiring officials for employment consideration for same/similar positions within the location(s) identified in this announcement.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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The Smithsonian offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, vacation and sick leave, holidays, health/life insurance, accident insurance, and excellent retirement program options.
Please see Benefits at https://www.si.edu/OHR/benefits for a complete description.
Flexible Spending Accounts - https://www.fsafeds.com/
Health Insurance - http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/index.asp
Leave - http://www.opm.gov/oca/leave/index.asp
Life Insurance - http://www.opm.gov/insure/life/index.asp
Long Term Care Insurance - http://www.ltcfeds.com
Retirement Program - https://www.opm.gov/retirement-services/

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