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Assistant Director of Public Programs

Smithsonian Institution
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo.  The National Museum of African American History and Culture is a national museum for the study and exhibition of African American history and culture.  This position is in the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), Office of External Affairs.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
06/26/2025 to 07/10/2025
Salary
$120,579 to - $156,755 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
Washington, DC
FEW vacancies
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—Ad hoc telework based on agency policy.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent - Federal
Work schedule
Full-time - Full-Time, Permanent
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13 - Position is at full performance level: GS-13.
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
25R-YH-312728-MPA-NMAAHC
Control number
839401900

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Current Smithsonian Institution Internal Employees/Agency Employees Only may apply including current Smithsonian Institution employees with Federal career/career-conditional status or eligibility. More than one selection may be made from this announcement.

Duties

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The Assistant Director of Public Programs serves as part of the leadership team which sets engagement and outreach priorities.

In this position, you will:

  • oversee all of the onsite and digital public programs of the museum. Work with relevant NMAAHC staff members and other stakeholders to develop a full roster of creative and diverse programs to support temporary exhibitions and the permanent galleries in and the collections of the museum.
  • collaborate with various departments to develop and serve audiences including the public, members to founding donors, academic, corporate, sports, cultural, professional, and social justice leaders, and international diplomats and stakeholders.
  • plan and carry out the full range of supervisory and managerial responsibilities.
  • manage resources through the proper development and execution of budgets and spending plans.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Requires career/career-conditional status or eligibility.
  • Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.
  • May be required to serve an 18-month probationary period for supervisors.

Conditions of Employment

Qualification requirements, including one year time-in-grade at the next lower grade level for promotion candidates, must be met within 30 days of the job announcement closing date. See the 'Required Documents' section for additional information.

For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on OPM Website.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:  Experience that equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled.

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-12 level in the Federal Service.  For this position, specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience developing, implementing, evaluating and maintaining multiple on site and digital public programs in a museum, educational, or cultural environment; negotiating with vendors and the talent (i.e., performers, scholars, thought leaders, etc.); collaborating with internal and external partners (i.e., donors, VIPS, scholars, community organizations, cultural, government or other leaders) on cultural events; overseeing and developing a staff or team.

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.

Time-in-Grade Requirements: Under competitive merit promotion procedures, any individual who is currently holding, or who has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under a non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet "time-in-grade" requirements (have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade of the grade for which you are applying).

Education

This position has no basic 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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your application will be evaluated first for the basic qualifications described above. The applications that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria:

  1. Knowledge of fine and performing arts or public programs related to history and culture.

  2. Skill in oral communication.

  3. Ability to supervise, direct and motivate staff.
  4. Ability to prepare and manage program budgets and resources.

Important Note:

Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the occupational questionnaire or other assessment tool for consistency. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is supported by your resume, you will be assigned a rating commensurate to your described experience. Your resume should provide detailed information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed.


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