Job Description
Job DescriptionDescriptionOPEN DATE: 01/14/2026 CLOSING DATE: 01/28/2026 POSITION TYPE: Trust FundAPPOINTMENT TYPE: Indefinite SCHEDULE: Full TimeDUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC
Position sensitivity and risk: Non-Sensitive (NS)/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.
OVERVIEWThe Smithsonian Institution, Undersecretary for Science & Research, National Air and Space Museum (NASM), collects, preserves, studies, and exhibits artifacts, archival materials and works of art related to the history, culture and science of aviation and spaceflight and the study of the universe. Its research and outreach activities serve all audiences, within and beyond its walls. The Museum commemorate the past and is committed to educating and inspiring people to foster appreciation for the importance of flight to humanity.
NASM is administered as one Museum with multiple locations: The National Mall building, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia and the Garber Facility in Suitland Maryland. NASM provides access to the nation's aviation and space flight history to an average of 7-9 million on-site visitors from around the world each year, making it one of the most visited museums in the world. In addition, NASM draws tens of millions of virtual visitors to its website and broadcast, digital applications and webcast educational programming.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESPhotography and Digital Imaging - 50%
- Provides professional-quality, digital photography for the National Air and Space Museum, and the Smithsonian, of its collections, exhibitions, public events, educational programming, projects, facilities, and personnel.
- Complete photographic and digital imaging assignments in the Museum studios and on location within and external to the Museum.
- Select, assemble, set up, and utilize the photographic, digital imaging, and lighting equipment appropriate for each assignment.
- Proficient in the use of advanced digital image editing software to perform standard image adjustments, digital image creation, metadata formatting and prepare files for cataloguing.
- Participate as a team member in planning photographic projects.
- Maintain the condition and security of the Museum's photographic and digital imaging facilities, equipment, and supplies.
Digital Assets Management - 25%
- Adheres to the current rights, reproductions, and digital assets management directives of the Museum and the Smithsonian.
- Ensure Smithsonian and Museum policies are embedded in the metadata of the works that are created.
- Work closely with digital assets management staff and/or contractors to save and back up digital images on a centralized storage system, currently the Smithsonian DAMS.
- Follow the protocols, user guides, written standards, guidelines, and workflows for rights, reproductions, and digital assets management.
Pre- and Post-Production Prep - 25%
- Prepare pre-press digital files for a range of applications, including print and online publication, signage, mobile applications, and other uses related to the web.
- Perform color correction, cropping, sizing, image correction, and manipulation under the standards set by the Supervising Photographer of the photo services unit.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTSEducation (if positive education is required) and Experience: Example: To qualify for this position, applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from an accredited four-year college or university and/or 3-5 years of related experience (described below); or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience required for this position is as follows:
- Expert knowledge in using a wide range of specialized photographic and digital imaging equipment, techniques, and processes to produce images of high artistic merit.
- Ability to carry out all phases of a photographic or digital imaging assignment independently, including the evaluation of the customers' needs, the technical requirements of the project, and special considerations for the subject matter.
- Understanding on camera set up and in using high-powered studio lighting units; in studio and on location.
- Knowledge of a variety of digital image capture and editing applications.
- Extensive skills in image editing and management software to process and correct digital image files, including but not limited to, formatting, color management, image correction, quality enhancement, and the addition of metadata.
- Ability to operate scanners and printers, utilizing image management and editing software to process and correct files to prepare them for their required outputs.
- Expert knowledge of archiving digital image files, knowledge of archiving standards and workflows, the creation of archive-quality derivative files, the editing and processing of digital image files to include image metadata, and the utilization of digital archives and databases.
- Substantial experience working within strict security and conservation protocols related to such objects, including understanding conservation specifications and practices regarding light, heat, handling, and support.
- Demonstrate skills in the photographic documentation of public programs and special events, including lectures, panel discussions, family-based public events, donor events, tours, and press announcements.
- Ability to work around construction and other behind the scenes scenarios without causing disruption.
- Ability to collaborate and communicate well, verbally and in writing, with varied audiences, including photography and digital imaging staff, all Museum staff, and visitors, educators and customers external to the Museum.
- Demonstrate ability to work independently or as part of a team to complete or oversee highly specialized and artistically demanding photographic and digital imaging projects.
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.
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 NASM-HR@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