Special Assistant, IS-0301-11

Smithsonian Institution•Washington, DC

8d•$85,447 - $111,087•Onsite

About The Position

The Smithsonian Institution’s National Postal Museum (NPM) brings the story of communication and the postal system to life across 23,000 square feet of dynamic exhibition space, complemented by a research library, Postal Store and Philatelic Center, and museum shop. Home to nearly 6 million objects—ranging from miniature stamps to full-scale vehicles—the museum offers a fascinating look at how mail has connected people and shaped the world. Welcoming more than 400,000 visitors each year, NPM is the Smithsonian’s most-visited museum off the National Mall. Through innovative exhibitions, cutting-edge research, and engaging educational and public programs, the museum transforms the history of mail and philately into an accessible, relevant, and inspiring experience for diverse audiences. This position is located within the Executive Office providing administrative support to both the Deputy Director and the Director. The Special Assistant will support Director initiatives and museum priorities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from an accredited four-year college or university and/or 3-5 years of related experience.
Knowledge to manage an organizational official’s schedule, calendar, meeting preparation and other administrative matters.
Ability to manage internal and external written correspondence for an organization.
Ability to modify and implement administrative procedures in response to revised requirements or processes resulting from a variety of changes.
Ability to communicate effectively orally with internal and external senior level officials and diverse publics about an organization’s policies and programs in a diplomatic manner.
Ability to manage logistics for planning meetings, conferences and events.
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.
Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.
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.

Responsibilities

Serves as a personal and confidential assistant to the Director/Deputy Director. Reviews and keeps abreast of all correspondence and e-mail, determines which will be directed to the senior staff or others in the office.
Keeps the calendar for the Director and Deputy Director, establishing priorities at own discretion.
Arranges for meetings, symposia, grant proposal calls, assembling correspondence, records, reports, and other materials.
Makes travel arrangements, develops travel itineraries, and schedules and books all reservations for all travel accommodations.
Under the direction of the Director and/or Deputy Director, assists with developing project work plans including, but not limited to budgets, spending plans, schedules, milestone charts, goals and/or objectives for each project.