OPEN DATE: March 24, 2025

CLOSING DATE: March 28, 2025

POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund

APPOINTMENT TYPE: Permanent

SCHEDULE: Full Time

DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC

Low Risk/Non-Sensitive

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

1. Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
2. Complete a Probationary Period.
3. Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
4. 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.
5. Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

OVERVIEW

Come join a team of dedicated staff at an exceptional time in the Smithsonian’s history as we prepare for the Smithsonian Campaign for Our Shared Future. This ambitious fundraising campaign’s public phase will run from 2025 to 2026, culminating with the nation’s 250th anniversary. It will expand the Smithsonian’s reach and impact, empowering the institution to find solutions to today’s most pressing challenges. The Smithsonian is also planning two exciting new museums. The National Museum of the American Latino and the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum share the experiences and perspectives of Latinos and women across history and deepen our shared understanding of what it means to be an American. The Smithsonian has built a model fundraising organization, driven by talented staff across our many museums, research centers and cultural centers. This position offers exciting opportunities for the successful candidate to make a significant impact on the future of the Smithsonian. There is no better time to join this amazing Institution.

The Office of Advancement oversees and guides the fundraising efforts of the entire Smithsonian and is home to the central development organization for the Institution. In addition to raising significant support for a variety of Smithsonian initiatives, the Office of Advancement provides support services to advancement offices across the Institution. The office engages with staff throughout the Smithsonian in accomplishing their goals.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Smithsonian Office of Advancement seeks experienced and creative candidates for the position of Development Specialist (Online Information). This position is in Membership and Direct Response Services and reports to the Assistant Director of Online Engagement and Fundraising. The Development Specialist (Online Information) is instrumental in raising unrestricted revenue on behalf of Friends of the Smithsonian, and also offers guidance and support to all museums, centers and programs under the Smithsonian umbrella in their online fundraising efforts. This is a highly collaborative role where success depends on strong teamwork and regular interaction with colleagues across the Smithsonian.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Research, write, edit and produce emails, web content, text messages, digital ads and online experiences for cultivation and revenue-generating opportunities for the Online Engagement and Fundraising team and other Office of Advancement departments, including fundraising campaigns, appeals, newsletters, event invitations and web articles;
2. Track, analyze and report on analytics;
3. Facilitate internal communications and support for online fundraising within the Office of Advancement and Advancement teams across the Smithsonian;
4. Facilitate collaboration and coordination with other marketing teams at the Smithsonian;
5. Coordinate and support migration of web, email, and other digital assets during technology changes, such as CRM migrations.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Successful candidates will demonstrate experience with nonprofit fundraising strategy, communications, and technical knowledge of email and digital marketing practices and techniques, as well as strong writing, editing and/or graphic design skills, an interest in developing novel ways to engage audiences, and experience in the creation of conversion-driven, multi-channel content.

Required knowledge and skills:

1. Understanding of and experience with nonprofit online marketing and fundraising strategy;
2. Strong writing skills, particularly creating content for mission-based organizations and getting audiences to take a desired action;
3. Strong teamwork skills and the ability to engage regularly with colleagues to achieve shared goals;
4. Strong independent task management skills and familiarity with project management suites and products such as such as Jira, Asana, etc.
5. Proficiency with Salesforce, Luminate Online, and/or similar digital marketing and email service platforms;
6. Strong understanding of web analytics and related platforms (example: Google Analytics and Tableau);
7. Experience with web markup and email coding;
8. Basic graphic design skills and experience with tools such as Adobe Photoshop or Canva;
9. Proficiency with CMS platform such as Drupal or Wordpress;
10. Strong understanding of current web design, UX, and UI standards and trends as well as responsive design and Web Accessibility implementation standards;
11. Experience in user testing preferred; demonstrated quality assurance skills including meticulous attention to detail and experience with version control.

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.

Application Instructions

Interested candidates should submit their resumes and a cover letter by March 28, 2025. 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.

Any false statement in your application may result in your application being rejected and may also result in termination after employment begins. Relocation expenses are not paid.

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.

About Smithsonian Institution

Founded in 1846, the Smithsonian is the world’s largest museum and research complex of 21 museums and galleries, the National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, and 14 education and research facilities. There are more than 6,500 Smithsonian employees, including approximately 500 scientists. The total number of objects, works of art and specimens at the Smithsonian is estimated at more than 157 million.

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