Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist (Director), IS-1035-15

Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist (Director), IS-1035-15
Application Deadline:

3 June 2026

Department:

Office of Public Affairs

Employment Type:

Full Time

Location:

Washington, DC

Compensation:

$169,279 - $197,200 / year

Description
Open Date:

May 20, 2026

Closing Date:

June 3, 2026 (This job will close once 150 applications are received which may be sooner than the closing date.)

Position Type:

Trust Fund

Appointment Type:

Indefinite

Schedule:

Full Time

Duty Location:

Washington, DC

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.

Overview
This position is located in the Office of Public Affairs (OPA) within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Communications and External Affairs (OCEA) at the Smithsonian Institution (SI). OPA is responsible for managing public affairs and communications for the Institution. OPA is the main point of contact for the Smithsonian with the news media. The department ensures that the public is informed about the Smithsonian’s activities through its various platforms.

Duties and Responsibilities
Supervision and Management

The incumbent serves as the Director of OPA with responsibility for the development, management, and execution of all aspects of public affairs, digital media, web, social media, internal communications, crisis communications and media relations for the Smithsonian Institution (SI).

Through subordinate supervisors, plans, organizes, directs, and supervises the personnel and activities of OPA. Plans and carries out the full range of supervisory and managerial authorities related to assignment of work, coordination with other programs, management advisory services, technical work direction, evaluation of subordinates, approving selections for nonsupervisory positions, recommending selections for supervisory positions, resolving serious complaints, approving or proposing disciplinary actions, determining or approving training needs, budget management to include approving expenditures of funds, recommending or approving awards and bonuses, determining means to improve productivity, and other delegated authorities.

Exercises delegated managerial authority to set annual and multi-year plans and schedules for projects accomplished in-house and by contract. Determines goals and objectives for OPA, where emphasis is on the efficiencies on utilizing resources including realignments to address shortfalls or to satisfy priority needs. Ensures the development and implementation of performance metrics.

Public Affairs & Communications

Formulates, develops and recommends strategic communications plans and programs for SI. This includes, in addition to on-going internal and external dissemination of information, devising proactive crisis communications approaches to address controversies, contentious issues, adverse publicity, etc. Serves as principal advisor to the Assistant Secretary and other top SI executives using the best communications techniques to ensure that SI goals and objectives are presented in a positive manner presenting the best image of the Institution. Screens and approves significant news releases, speeches, papers, digital, video, and other communications products etc. prior to release.

Analyzes public affairs needs in consideration of both SI national and international programs and activities. Oversees the development and execution of publicity and digital campaigns that provide easy to understand information on the full range of SI activities and programs (scientific research, art, history, culture). Critically analyzes communications programs to identify any shortfalls and initiate innovative improvements.

Establishes and maintains wide-ranging relationships with media representatives (broadcast, print, and on-line) including both national and international sources.

Creates and manages SI-wide communications campaigns and initiatives. Coordinates and supports communications needs for multiple Smithsonian central offices.

Provides advice, guidance and consultation to public affairs offices in all SI units (museums, Zoo, research centers, cultural centers, libraries and archives, etc.) regarding the senior leadership’s positions on issues, Institution goals, strategies and objectives, etc. and also acts pro-actively to ensure that public affairs campaigns in the units coordinate with and support OPA efforts and do not conflict with broader activities. Establishes internal public affairs guidelines for application throughout SI.

Coordinates with and supports offices of government relations, visitor services, special events and marketing. Supports and attends special events, galas, ceremonies, VIP tours, etc. to ensure appropriate and positive public coverage. Coordinates and supports offices of global affairs, general counsel, Smithsonian Enterprises, digital transformation, facilities, and other central divisions.

Leads, coordinates and supports public and media relations for the Secretary of the Institution.

Performs related duties as assigned.

Qualification Requirements
Education and Experience
To qualify for this position, applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from an accredited four-year college or university and/or 10-15 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Applicants must have at least five years of leadership or supervisory experience managing a public affairs office.

Experience required for this position is as follows:

Mastery knowledge of the principles, methods, practices, and techniques of communications combined with the highest analytical skills to plan optimal ways to convey information on controversial and often hotly contested issues to target audiences that are diverse and represent a wide variety of viewpoints, concerns, and interests.

Mastery developing new methods and approaches in planning, integrating, and evaluating the overall public affairs program.

Expert representational skills necessary to create meaningful communication interchanges with individuals and groups with antagonistic and opposing positions.

Exceptional skills to tactfully offer constructive advice and criticism to senior executive staff.

Skill in oral and written communication in order to manage the creation of diverse communication materials, including social media content, articles, briefings, news releases, and videos, to effectively convey both technical and non-technical information.

Skill in preparing speeches and briefing papers for senior officials.

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.

Relocation expenses are not paid.

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact OCEA-ADMIN@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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