Shaping the Future of Museum Learning: Join the Smithsonian as an Education Specialist

Museums are no longer merely quiet galleries holding ancient historical relics; they have evolved into active, community-driven classrooms where contemporary conversations take root. If you are a visionary educator who believes that history should live, breathe, and directly connect with modern cultural narratives, an extraordinary opportunity awaits you in our nation's capital. The world-renowned Smithsonian Institution is seeking a highly motivated and qualified Education Specialist (GS-1701-09) to join its team.

This permanent, full-time position represents a rare career pathway for an administrative and curriculum-building specialist who wants to create impactful learning opportunities. Based at the historic Anacostia Community Museum in Washington, D.C., you will design cutting-edge educational programs, establish vital community-based school partnerships, and lead a dedicated team of educators in translating complex social themes into engaging narratives for K-12 audiences.

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About the Agency: The Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum

The Smithsonian Institution stands as the undisputed global champion of museum education, cultural preservation, and research. Comprising 21 distinct museums, 14 specialized research and learning centers, and the National Zoological Park, the Smithsonian is collectively dedicated to a single, profound mission: "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery." It is an organization where history, science, art, and community intersect on a grand scale.

Nestled within this expansive network is the Anacostia Community Museum (ACM). Unlike traditional institutions focused on broad national themes, the ACM holds a distinct and vital mission: to document, interpret, and celebrate the deep impact of social, historical, and cultural developments within contemporary urban environments. The museum acts as a critical hub for grassroots history, highlighting how local community actions ripple outward to trigger broader global transformations. By joining the ACM team, you will contribute directly to an educational environment that values lived community experiences, local heritage, and active neighborhood engagement.

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Job Responsibilities

As an Education Specialist at the GS-09 level, your work will sit at the intersection of academic research, community program design, and instructional leadership. You will not simply execute pre-designed programs; you will be the creative and administrative force behind the museum's educational footprint.

In this role, your core responsibilities will include:

• Designing and Implementing K-12 Curricula: You will research, draft, design, and manage highly engaging, innovative school programs, digital curricula, and museum-based activities. These programs must translate the museum's complex exhibition themes into accessible, standard-aligned modules for K-12 students.
• Forging Strategic Partnerships: You will act as the key liaison between the museum and local educators, public school systems, and community leaders. Your goal is to align the museum's resources with the educational needs of surrounding school districts.
• Leading and Developing Staff: Expanding the museum's educational reach requires a highly coordinated team. You will be responsible for hiring, training, scheduling, and supervising museum educators and docents, keeping them motivated and aligned with pedagogical standards.
• Supporting Public Program Initiatives: Your educational expertise will also feed into broader public projects, where you will assist in developing public exhibitions, academic publications, and community events.

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Requirements and Qualifications

To qualify for this professional GS-1701-09 role, applicants must meet specific federal qualification requirements. The federal government allows candidates to demonstrate competency through several distinct pathways, ensuring that both traditional academic achievements and diverse professional backgrounds are fully valued.

Basic Education Requirements

All applicants must satisfy a foundational education requirement. This can be met in one of two ways:

1. A Degree: A standard four-year bachelor's degree that included or was supplemented by a major study in education or an academic subject-matter field directly aligned with museum education.
2. Combined Education and Experience: A combination of college-level coursework equivalent to an education major, supplemented by professional experience or specialized training that demonstrates equivalent knowledge.

Specialized Experience Requirements

In addition to the basic educational foundation, candidates qualifying via experience must have at least one (1) full year of specialized professional experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in federal service. For this role, specialized experience is defined as working within a museum, historic site, or cultural institution to create, coordinate, and lead innovative school programs specifically geared toward K-12 student audiences.

Alternative Graduate Education Pathway

Candidates who do not possess the required professional experience can qualify through advanced academic study. This requires completing at least two (2) full years of progressively higher-level graduate-level study leading to a master's degree, or holding a completed master's or equivalent graduate degree in education, museum studies, or a closely related field.

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Salary Overview and Career Growth

This position offers a highly competitive compensation structure under the federal General Schedule (GS) system. The position starts at the GS-09 level, offering a salary of $70,623 to $91,815 per year, depending on steps and experience.

One of the most attractive elements of this job is its exceptional promotion potential to the GS-12 grade level. This means that as you gain experience and demonstrate excellence in your role, you can advance through the grades (GS-09 to GS-11, and ultimately GS-12) without needing to re-apply for a new position, resulting in substantial long-term salary growth.

To clarify how qualification pathways are evaluated, review the comparison table below:

Qualification Pathway	Education Minimum	Specialized Experience Required	Key Focus Area
The Professional Experience Path	Bachelor's Degree (with major study in education or related field)	1 year equivalent to the GS-07 level	Practical curriculum design & K-12 museum program delivery
The Graduate Education Path	2 years of progressive graduate study or completed Master's degree	Not strictly required if academic criteria are met	Deep academic research, pedagogical theory, and design
The Combined Path	Partial graduate-level coursework	Pro-rated equivalent of specialized GS-07 experience	A balance of academic coursework and practical work history

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Benefits and Total Compensation

Working for the Smithsonian Institution means accessing one of the most robust, secure, and comprehensive benefit packages offered in the public sector. The federal government's total compensation programs are designed to support your long-term financial, physical, and personal well-being:

• Comprehensive Healthcare coverage: Choose from an extensive menu of premium health, dental, and vision insurance plans. You can also select tax-advantaged Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAFEDS) to manage health and dependent care costs.
• Secured Retirement Programs: Build long-term security via the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) pension alongside the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), which features automatic agency matching contributions up to 5%.
• Generous Leave Policy: Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with accrued paid annual leave (vacation), separate sick leave, and ten fully paid federal holidays per year.
• Life and Disability Protection: Access affordable Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) and specialized long-term care insurance (LTCFeds) options.
• Professional Development: Benefit from being surrounded by world-renowned scholars, research opportunities, and career-boosting federal training programs.

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Application Tips: How to Submit a Winning Package

Because of the prestigious nature of the Smithsonian, competition for these positions is highly intense. To make sure your application passes the initial Human Resources screenings, follow these critical application tips:

• Respect the Page Limit: Your federal resume must be no more than two (2) pages long. If your resume is even one page longer, your application will be disqualified without review.
• Write with Originality: Do not copy phrases, duty descriptions, or bullet points directly from this vacancy announcement. The HR team checks for copied language. Rewrite your experiences naturally, focusing on your unique accomplishments.
• List Accurate Time and Hours: For every professional experience listed on your resume, you must state the start and end dates (Month/Year) along with the average number of hours worked per week (e.g., "40 hours/week"). Failing to include hours worked can prevent HR from properly calculating your qualifying experience.
• Submit Your Transcripts: If you are using education or a graduate degree to qualify, you must upload clean, legible copies of your college transcripts. If your degree was earned outside the United States, you must also provide official proof of U.S. educational accreditation.

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If you are ready to transition your educational career into the world's most celebrated museum network, this GS-09 Education Specialist role at the Anacostia Community Museum offers an unparalleled opportunity. It combines a highly competitive starting salary, exceptional federal benefits, and the chance to directly influence how K-12 students engage with vital social and cultural histories in Washington, D.C.

Ensure your resume is original, impact-driven, and strictly under the two-page limit, and submit your application today to start your journey with the Smithsonian Institution!