Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution

60 Smithsonian Institution Collections Manager Jobs Hiring Near You

Photographer

Washington, DC · On-site +1

$102K - $133K/yr

Summary The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex ... Cataloguing and formatting photographic collections in digital asset management systems

Electrician

Chantilly, VA · On-site +1

$34.71 - $42.63/hr

Summary The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex ... The Office of Facilities Management is responsible for all Smithsonian facilities, many of which ...

Photographer

Washington, DC · On-site +1

$102K - $133K/yr

Summary The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex ... Cataloguing and formatting photographic collections in digital asset management systems

next page

Showing results 1-20

Smithsonian Institution Jobs Information

Do workers at the Smithsonian Institution get paid breaks?

Yes. Most people get paid breaks.
67% of people say they get paid breaks.
Based on data from 9 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and June 2026.

Does the Smithsonian Institution pay people when they’re sick?

Yes. Most people get paid when they’re sick.
78% of people say they would get paid if they were sick but scheduled to work.
Based on data from 23 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2024 and July 2026.

At the Smithsonian Institution, are sick days and vacation days separate paid time off?

Sick days and vacation days are separate paid time off.
91% of people say they don’t have to use vacation days when they’re out sick.
Based on data from 11 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2025 and July 2026.

Is the health insurance from the Smithsonian Institution affordable enough for their workers?

Most people say the health insurance costs are okay.
100% of people say the health insurance costs are okay
Based on data from 12 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2025 and July 2026.

Do people get paid time off at the Smithsonian Institution?

Most people get paid time off work.
87% of people say they get paid time off.
Based on data from 15 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2025 and July 2026.

How far ahead of time do people find out their work schedule?

Most people find out their schedule less than four weeks ahead of time.
  • 57% of people with changing schedules find out their shifts one week or less ahead of time.
  • 14% of people with changing schedules find out their shifts two weeks ahead of time.
  • 14% of people with changing schedules find out their shifts three weeks ahead of time.
  • 14% of people with changing schedules find out their shifts four weeks or more ahead of time.

Based on data from 7 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and September 2025.

Do workers at the Smithsonian Institution worry about hours?

Most people don’t worry about getting enough hours.
89% of people report they don’t worry about getting enough hours.
Based on data from 9 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and January 2026.

Do the Smithsonian Institution workers get to choose the shifts they work?

Most people get to choose which shifts they work.
78% report that they have enough control over which shifts they work.
Based on data from 9 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and September 2025.

How easy is it for the Smithsonian Institution workers to change shifts?

Most people find it easy to change shifts.
100% of people report that it’s easy to change shifts if they need to.
Based on data from 5 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and June 2025.

How easy is it to get time off at the Smithsonian Institution?

Most people find it easy to get time off.
90% of people report it’s easy to get time off.
Based on data from 20 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2024 and July 2026.

Do the Smithsonian Institution managers change schedules at the last minute?

Most managers don’t change people’s schedules at the last minute.
89% of people say their manager doesn’t change their shift schedule at the last minute.
Based on data from 9 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and January 2026.

Do jobs at the Smithsonian Institution spill into time workers aren’t paid for?

Rarely. The job doesn't usually spill into unpaid time.
22% of people report that their job takes up time that they don’t get paid for.
Based on data from 9 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and January 2026.

How easy is it to take sick days at the Smithsonian Institution?

Most people find it easy to take sick days.
91% of people report that it’s easy to take time off if they are sick.
Based on data from 23 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2024 and June 2026.

Do people at the Smithsonian Institution feel treated with respect by their managers?

Most people feel treated with respect by their managers.
85% of people say they’re treated with respect by their managers.
Based on data from 20 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2024 and July 2026.

Do people at the Smithsonian Institution get to take their breaks without interruption?

Most people get breaks without interruption.
71% of people report that they get to take their breaks without interruption.
Based on data from 21 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2024 and July 2026.

Is it stressful to work at the Smithsonian Institution?

Some people feel stressed here.
59% of people say they often feel stressed at work.
Based on data from 22 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2024 and July 2026.

Do people at the Smithsonian Institution enjoy their jobs?

Most people enjoy their job.
89% of people report they enjoy their job.
Based on data from 18 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and July 2026.

Do people at the Smithsonian Institution recommend working with their team?

Only some people recommend working with their team.
36% of people report that they wouldn’t recommend working with their immediate team to a friend.
Based on data from 25 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2024 and July 2026.

Do people get enough training when they start at the Smithsonian Institution?

Most people got enough training when they started.
68% of people report they got enough training when they started working here.
Based on data from 22 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2024 and July 2026.

Do people get support to advance at the Smithsonian Institution?

Most people are given support to advance their career here.
In the last year, 67% of people report being given support to advance their career here.
Based on data from 18 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2024 and July 2026.

Do people think the Smithsonian Institution’s headquarters understands what’s happening where they work?

Most people think headquarters doesn’t understand what’s happening where they work.
69% of people think that this employer’s headquarters or owners don’t have a good understanding of what’s really happening where they work.
Based on data from 16 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2025 and June 2026.

Do workers feel well informed about how the Smithsonian Institution is doing?

Only some people feel well informed about how the company is doing.
39% of people feel that they aren’t kept well informed about how the company is doing as a whole.
Based on data from 18 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2024 and January 2026.

What are the most popular categories at Smithsonian Institution?

Infographic showing various Collections Manager job openings at Smithsonian Institution in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 98% Full Time, and 2% Temporary. Highlights an 45% Physical, and 55% Remote job distribution.

Supervisory Chief Conservator

Smithsonian Institution

Washington, DC • On-site, Remote

$121K - $158K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 14 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 conservation laboratory of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden (HMSG), Smithsonian Institution (SI). The conservation laboratory is an integral part of the Collections Care and Management Department, charged with the stewardship of the collections of the Museum.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
Help
The Supervisory Chief Conservator supervises and manages a professional team of conservators who hold experience in areas such as paper, photographs, paintings, variable media, sculpture, and installations. In addition, the Chief Conservator plans, directs, and coordinates conservation activities of the Laboratory and leads professional staff in carrying out the objectives of the conservation laboratory and the HMSG.
In this position, you will:
  • Manage and supervise the activities of the professional, para-professional, and technical staff in the lab, delegating work, tracking progress, and establishing priorities as necessary in line with museum programs.
  • Perform a full range of technical examinations of works of art to identify their structure and components, their condition, and/or conduct appropriate treatment according to your conservation specialty.
  • Establish procedures and direct work related to the examination, documentation handling and movement of objects in preparation for acquisition, loan, exhibition within the lab and during installation periods.
  • Manage the conservation laboratory and its programs: safety, equipment maintenance, and education.
  • Develop and monitor annual budgets for the lab, oversee procurement for all conservation equipment, including identifying needs for contract and fellow/interns to support work of the lab.

Requirements
Help
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
Experience: You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the Federal Service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience examining and treating fine art objects; documenting object conditions and conservation treatments; monitoring environmental conditions and identifying potential risks to collections; managing project budgets; and supervising and/or mentoring conservation staff.
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.
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.
Education
This position does not have a positive education requirement.
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.
Expand Hide additional information
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
Help
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/

What Smithsonian Institution employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom