Educational Technician (Program Assistant) IS-1702-07

Application Deadline: 15 June 2026

Department: Smithsonian Science Education Center

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Washington, DC

Reporting To: Education Program Manager, Inclusion

Compensation: $57,736 - $61,586 / year

Description

OPEN DATE: May 19, 2026        CLOSING DATE: June 19, 2026 (This job will close when we have received 100 applications, which may be sooner than the vacancy closing date.)               POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund APPOINTMENT TYPE: Temporary Not to Exceed One (1) Year, with the possibility of extension contingent on funding availability. SCHEDULE: Full Time  DUTY 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.
• 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

Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) is currently seeking a Program Assistant. This person will report to the Education Program Manager, Inclusion and assist the Professional Services Division with general administrative support including preparing travel documents, assisting with on-site and virtual events, and education materials development.  
  For additional information about the SSEC visit www.ssec.si.edu.  

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Gathers educational research and resources for educational programming.  In coordination with team members, develops and prepares summaries on updated and informational resources related to educational leadership and professional development programming.  
• Supports pre-event and post-event logistics, working with internal and external parties, for in-person and virtual programming that can include the following: conducting on-site setup/breakdown of audiovisual equipment and laptops, loading presentations and videos, securing venues, catering, managing web conferencing platforms, and providing logistical information and ongoing program communication to participants.   
• Assists in the development of participant materials for professional development workshops and supports the development of event agendas and slide decks. 
• Maintains a record of program evaluations and participant data and updates event data and records using spreadsheet software and automated systems.   

 
Provides a variety of administrative support services to the Professional Services Division. This support includes the following:  

•  Maintains and updates budget expenses on spreadsheets, reviewing, reconciling, and filing travel expenses, travel authorizations, vouchers, and receipts; and administering records management. 
• Supports vendors enrolling in Vendor Maintenance and the System for Award Management.  
• Prepares contract paperwork by compiling relevant documents and Statements of Work for review and higher approval.  
• Arranges and tracks participant travel and organizational data using travel software, enterprise resources software, and/or word processing, spreadsheet, and presenta