Human Resources Specialist (Recruitment) IS-0201-13

Job Description

Job DescriptionDescriptionOPEN DATE: November 19, 2025 CLOSING DATE: December 5, 2025* This job will close once 100 applications are received which may be sooner than the closing date. * POSITION TYPE: Trust FundAPPOINTMENT TYPE: Excepted Trust NTE 2 yearsSCHEDULE: Full TimeDUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC

Position sensitivity and risk: Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Select One of the following:

• 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 as low risk.
• 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.

OVERVIEWThis position is in the Trust (non-Federal) Resources Branch, Office of Human Resources (OHR), Smithsonian Institution (SI), Washington, DC. The mission of the Branch is to plan, coordinate, and direct the full range of SI/OHR Trust (non-Federal) activities including technical design, administration and management services. The incumbent provides expertise and guidance to organizations assigned, interprets data on position management, position classification, staffing, recruitment, internal placement, and pay administration for application to services provided to customers serviced.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES• Provides consultative and technical services to program managers and all levels of management on a broad range of human resources management services that involve complex and controversial issues.
• Develops solutions to complicated, complex, or non-standard problems with potential to impact employees or the entire Human Resources program for the organization.
• Defines and forecasts long and short-range staffing requirements and develops recruitment strategies to fill positions.
• Routinely provides expert advisory, consultative, and technical services to Unit Business Partners/HR Specialists, Human Resources Liaisons, as well as Hiring Managers.
• Conducts the full range of recruitment actions. Develops or approves qualification requirements, quality and selective factors, areas of consideration, content, timing, and length of vacancy announcements; rates, reviews and may oversee the review of applications and makes determinations regarding eligibility for consideration; and may manage the composition of rating/ranking and selection panels.
• Performs the hiring process. May issue certificate of eligible, confirms the selection, Initiates the background investigation process where applicable, obtains record checks and release dates, makes job offers, sets pay, establishes the Official Personnel Folder, and completes the initial processing of the entrance on duty, participates in new employee Orientation, etc.
• Processes job requisitions in automated HRMS including updating the status of recruits and completing all tasks associated with recruitment for the specific action(s).
• Advises management on recruitment strategies, sources, special programs, recruitment, relocation, retention incentive programs and works on special projects related to recruitment activities.
• Provides expert advice on major or organizational planning issues such as the expected impact of reductions in work force, reorganizations, or other mass changes or situations involving a broad perspective on complex, interrelated actions.
• Responsible for classifying jobs, when necessary, and prepare necessary documentation for positions covered by the IS Schedule, Trust (non-Federal).
• Administers in-service placement actions including retention Incentives, special emphasis programs, competitive promotions, competitive reassignments, and details.


QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTSTo qualify for this position, you must possess at least 5 years of specialized experience. Specialized experience is defined as experience:

• Private Sector Human Resources Experience is desired
• Requires advanced knowledge of Human Resources Management recruitment principles, concepts, and regulations
• Experience formulating long- and short-range recruitment goals that directly impact agency-wide initiatives. Skill in consulting services
• Experience with a wide range of recruitment principles, practices, and procedures.
• Work requires knowledge of key administrative support functions.
• Experience solving mission-critical human resources problems that cross multiple program lines.
• Required excellent customer service promoting and maintaining good working relationships with key individuals or groups both inside and outside the organization to accomplish special goals and objectives.
• Ability to interpret applicable policies and laws.
• Expert experience with Microsoft software, Peoplesoft and Applicant Tracking Systems
• Must have a high level of customer service

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."
Applications received on or before December 5, 2025 at 5:00 PM (EST) will be considered. 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 OHRTrustBranch@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/oeesd.