Application Deadline: 24 September 2025

Department: National Air and Space Museum

Location: Washington, DC

Compensation: $18.97 / hour

Description

OPEN DATE: 09/10/2025
CLOSING DATE: 9/24/2025
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Temporary Not to Exceed One (1) Year
SCHEDULE: Intermittent
DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC or Chantilly, VA
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 and 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.
Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

OVERVIEW

The Museum Aid (College Explainer) at the National Air and Space Museum inspire life-long learners by connecting them to our iconic artifacts and to stories about the science and technology that make innovation possible. The Explainers Program hires college students to help visitors better understand the Museum’s artifacts and exhibitions through hands-on programming. Explainers work at either the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC or at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia.

The Museum Aid (College Explainer) presents live, scientific demonstrations to visitors at the National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution. The position is located in the Museum's Educational Services Department under the supervision of the Gallery Programs Manager.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Explainers present routine demonstrations that explain various scientific principle and concepts related to topics in aeronautics and space flight and exploration. They are responsible for maintaining demonstration equipment in good working condition, informing higher level Technicians about broken and damaged materials so that they can be replaced or repaired, and collecting data needed to keep statistical information about the audiences attending demonstrations.
Explainers engage visitors with hands-on activity carts and interactive demonstrations on topics such as the forces of flight and humans in orbit. Our portfolio of Explainer programming includes facilitated solar observing and stargazing; drop-in design challenges; and simulators that teach people how to land a space shuttle or show them how a space shuttle toilet works.
Explainers are scheduled to work at the Udvar-Hazy Center weekends and holidays during the school year and seven days a week during the summer and school breaks. Hours at each location are flexible according to your academic schedule.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

As a Museum Aid (College Explainer), you must meet the following requirements:

Minimum Age of 16 Years
Currently enrolled in a college/university degree granting program in the DC/MD/VA area
Minimum 2.7 GPA
Be available to work onsite, monthly for a one-year probationary training period
Maintain active status by working at least 15 hours per month
Be adept interacting with diverse groups of people
Have good written and oral communication skills
Be willing to attend ongoing training and conduct self-study in general scientific principles relating to aeronautics and space science

Applicants, who wish to qualify based on 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 your application being rejected and may also result in termination after employment begins.

The Smithsonian Institution values and seeks a diverse workforce. 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.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact NASM-ExplainersProgram@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

Smithsonian Institution

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