Audiovisual Production Specialist (IS-1071-09)

Job Description

Job DescriptionDescriptionOPEN DATE: 12/9/2025CLOSING DATE: 12/15/2025POSITION TYPE: Trust FundAPPOINTMENT TYPE: Temporary, NTE 2 YearsSCHEDULE: Full TimeDUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC

Position sensitivity and risk: Non-Sensitive/Low Risk

Who May Apply:
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.

OVERVIEWThis position is located in the Exhibit Technology Group (ETG), Exhibits Production, Office of Building Renovation and Exhibit Services (OBRES), National Museum of American History (NMAH), Smithsonian Institution (SI). The NMAH is the national museum for the study of American history. Its primary purposes are to acquire, maintain and preserve objects which document social, cultural, political, military, technological and scientific developments in the United States; to conduct scholarly research designed to make significant contributions to the body of knowledge in the field of American history; to publish findings for both scholarly and general audiences; and to interpret historical developments through public exhibitions and programs. The incumbent serves as an Audiovisual Production Specialist and is responsible for supporting public programming and special events in the Museum’s Warner Brothers Theater and other publicperformance spaces, including cultural events, theatrical productions, music and dance performances, movie screenings, educational programs, and Smithsonian community events. The incumbent is also responsible for supporting live and on-demand recording and streaming of programs to grow the Museum’s online reach and engagement among key audience segments, including educators, students, and families. This position requires occasional work on evenings, weekends, and holidays in accordance with Smithsonian Institution policy.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinates and supports audiovisual multimedia and video projects (Video) that highlight the collections, programs, research activities and other initiatives for public programs, special events, fundraising, educational programs, and SI community events held within the Museum’s Warner Brothers Theater and other public performance spaces.
• Ensure the effective and efficient completion of each project such as videography, editing, live streaming, archiving, technical direction, and production management.
• Performs configuration and operation of a variety of hardware and software needed to effectively deliver special events and programs to the public in-person and online, including digital cinema and 35MM “reel to reel” motion picture projectors, digital sound reinforcement systems, digital cameras, programmable lighting systems, audio and video recording, editing, and post-production software, and other audiovisual equipment.
• Evaluates, assesses, and troubleshoots minor repairs on analog and digital audiovisual equipment and software to project, amplify, record, and present all forms of media, including live and pre-recorded audio, 35MM motion picture, video, digital cinema packages, digital video and audio files, PowerPoint presentations, and digital slideshows.
• Procures services, equipment and supplies, and manages contracts for media production services and for upgrades, installation and maintenance of multimedia systems used to support public programs and special events.
• Provides coordination for theater operations in collaboration with the Museum’s Theater Manager and Museum colleagues in the Office of Building Renovation, Office of External Affairs public programs and special events teams, IT Operations, and Facilities to support the continuous operation of the museum' s theater and public performance spaces.
• Works with the Exhibit Technology Group to support the museum’s exhibit audiovisual systems—such as digital projections, LED/LCD displays, interactive kiosks, audio systems, and audiovisual control systems—through systems operation, maintenance, installation, and repair, and audiovisual content deployment.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTSExperience: To qualify for this position, applicants must possess 1-3 years of related experience (described below).
Experience required for this position is as follows:

• Knowledge of technical equipment that is used in the design, production, and reproduction of audiovisual products, including video, editing, storage, and distribution software, digital audio consoles, digital cinema and 35MM motion picture projectors, video production and live streaming tools (e.g., TriCaster streaming systems), and audiovisual control systems (e.g., QSYS and AMX).
• Knowledge of practices and methods of audiovisual production, programming, and editing in order to provide coordination and assistance in support of live events using digital sound reinforcement systems, multi-camera video live streaming, and digital cinema and 35MM motion picture projection playback.
• Knowledge of content production software tools for graphic design, video editing, web development, photography (e.g., Adobe Creative Cloud applications).
• Knowledge of the technical and professional standards of theatrical lighting systems to select, install and focus lighting fixtures and accessories.
• Ability to evaluate problems from a technical standpoint and determine the most appropriate approach for coordinating activities or resolving problems.
• Skill in oral and written communication in order to communicate with a variety of individuals, and draft written documents in a work setting.

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.

What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager. Relocation expenses are not paid.

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact NMAHApplications@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 (https://www.si.edu/OEO/IndividualswithDisabilities). 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