
Position overview
The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo. This position is located organizationally in Facilities Planning and Operations, Office of Building Renovation and Exhibition Services (OBRES), National Museum of American History (NMAH), Under Secretary for Museums and Culture, Smithsonian Institution (SI).
Location, compensation and application deadline
Washington, DC. Full-time, permanent federal position. GS-14. Salary: $143,913 to $187,093 per year. This is not a remote position; ad hoc telework may be available. Applications close 2026-10-22 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Open to U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals.
Duties
The primary purpose of this position is to oversee all integrated facility and logistics functions for NMAH, including construction, maintenance, security, safety, emergency management, landscaping, and sustainability, ensuring alignment with the museum's strategic plan. In this position, you will: Provide leadership for long-term infrastructure projects, direct and evaluate the Facilities Planning and Operations Division, and advise the NMAH Director on technical and operational matters. Coordinate with multiple SI offices to develop and manage an integrated, multi-faceted facility program by identifying and communicating facility requirements and needs based on a strategic plan and priorities for research, programs, and exhibits, as well as operational needs, in consultation with cross-disciplinary staff. Participate in and provide detailed guidance and assistance to leadership and museum staff on construction projects, including relocation plans, exhibition and office configurations, operating logistics, and support services. Lead and manage the safety program to ensure a safe facility environment for staff, contractors, fellows, interns, volunteers, and visitors using facility spaces in Washington, DC, and Maryland. Supervise several positions performing work at various grade levels, directing, reviewing, and evaluating work to be accomplished.
Qualifications
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 executing comprehensive facilities planning and operations programs for a museum, cultural institution, or similarly complex organization, including developing and implementing policies, standards, and management strategies for maintenance, life safety, security, sustainability, emergency preparedness, space management, and logistics; leading major facilities renovation, construction, or infrastructure improvement projects; advising senior leadership on facilities and operational matters; and ensuring the effective stewardship, functionality, and long-term sustainability of facilities and infrastructure. 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
Refer to the above Basic Education Requirements is not required for this series and grade.
Requirements
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.
How applicants are evaluated
Applicants for this position may be evaluated in multiple stages. The first stage is an evaluation of your responses to the online multiple-choice questions that assess your experience, education, and/or training for the job related competencies below: Skill applying analytical methods to complex operational, personnel, and resource issues and proficiency with automated systems and reporting requirements. Extensive knowledge of system development life-cycle policies, design and construction technologies, configuration management, and evaluation techniques. Strong knowledge of large-scale facilities planning, design, management, and development, including advanced concepts in facility construction, renovation, and maintenance of museum environments. Expert ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and supervise interdisciplinary staff. Applicants who meet or exceed minimum qualifications will be assigned to one of three category groups based on job-related criteria: Best Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and excels in most of the job related competencies above. Better Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and satisfies most of the job related competencies above. Good Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements, but does not satisfy most of the job related competencies above to a substantive degree. This category rating process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three", but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. A selecting official may make selections from the highest quality category (Best Category) provided no preference eligible in that category is passed over to select a non-preference eligible in that category unless the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 3317(b) or 3318(b) are satisfied. Preference eligibles who meet minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or higher. Applicants who have not submitted a resume in the USAjobs system and/or have not answered all of the vacancy questions will not be considered for this position. 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 sufficient information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed. You may preview questions for this vacancy.
Required documents
Your application package should include the following documents: Resume - Your resume can be uploaded and attached to your application or created using the USA Jobs on-line resume builder. Ensure your resume contains the job title (including the occupational series and grade if it is Federal), job-related qualifications, starting and ending dates (month and year), and hours worked per week, for each employment period. It is your responsibility to ensure all information is submitted. Failure to include this information may result in disqualification for the position. For assistance with creating a resume, please click USAJOBS Help Center - How do I write a resume for a federal job? Proof of Veteran's Preference - DD214 (Member 4 Copy), if you are a veteran. Additionally, applicants claiming 10-point preference must complete Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, as well as additional documentation required by the SF-15, such as a VA letter.
How to apply
Click on the "Apply Online" button on the upper right side of the page. Please Note: You must apply for this position online through the 'Apply Online' button and submit required supplemental documents (if they are relevant to you). Your resume must be no more than two (2) pages. You may submit required documents by uploading them online during the application process. The complete application package, including any required documents, is due in the Smithsonian Office of Human Resources on the closing date of the announcement by 11:59 PM Eastern Time. If you are unable to apply online, paper applications may be accepted with prior approval of the Contact Person listed below.
Application instructions
Apply through the official USAJOBS announcement linked below. Your resume must be no more than two pages. Review the announcement for all required documents and conditions of employment. Announcement number: 27R-SA-314781-DEU-NMAH
View the official announcement and apply on USAJOBS
Location
Similar jobs
Smithsonian InstitutionSupervisory Program Manager (Associate Director, Planning & Program Management Division)
Great Basin InstituteMuseum Technician (NPS, George Washington Memorial Parkway)
National Trust for Historic PreservationGovernment Relations Associate
Yogi Berra Museum and Learning CenterExecutive Director
Historic Charleston FoundationCurator of Education and Public History
Northwestern University