Public Affairs Specialist, IS-1035-09

## Position Sensitivity and Risk
**Non-sensitive / Low Risk**

## Who May Apply
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 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
– 403(b) 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 the 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 Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden (HMSG) is a leading voice for contemporary art and culture and provides a national platform for the art and artists of our time. We seek to share the transformative power of modern and contemporary art with audiences at all levels of awareness and understanding by creating meaningful, personal experiences in which art, artists, audiences, and ideas converge.

We enhance public understanding and appreciation of contemporary art through acquisition, exhibitions, education and public programs, conservation, and research. To fulfill its mission, HMSG develops collaborative relationships with institutions and organizations within the Smithsonian, the United States, and abroad. The collection consists of approximately 13,000 objects of modern and contemporary art, including paintings, sculptures, variable media, and works on paper.

The Public Affairs Specialist is located in the Office of Communications and Marketing, which directs, plans, and coordinates the communications and promotion of the museum’s mission, activities, and accomplishments. The incumbent prepares informational materials, serves as a media contact, formulates and implements outreach to media and stakeholders, and drafts and supports marketing plans for assigned exhibitions, initiatives, and programs. Strong writing and organizational skills are essential.

## Duties and Responsibilities

### Public Affairs
– Develops media plans, including outreach calendars, story angles, and distribution methods.
– Compiles and tracks media coverage to evaluate success of plans and methods.
– Responds to media inquiries by providing information packets and factual verifications; researches and collects additional materials as needed, including short original video and photos for pitching and promotional use.
– Provides information and responses according to media plans and Smithsonian policies.
– Schedules museum or site visits for photo shoots and filming; coordinates building access.
– Schedules and arranges logistics for media events including VIP tours, press previews, and exhibition previews.
– Maintains cooperative relationships with local and national media and keeps them informed of museum activities.
– Conducts regular measurement of the department’s media reach and drafts reports.

### Writing and Editing Coordination
– Writes and edits materials for the media, including press releases, media advisories, calendars, and fact sheets.
– Writes and edits materials for the general public, including two original weekly e-newsletters, program descriptions, museum signage, and social media posts.
– Confers with curators, educators, and other staff to develop information for news releases, TV and radio programs, articles, and media meetings.
– Creates materials that support media coverage for events, including facesheets, backgrounds, and runs-of-show; coordinates internal memos to alert staff of communications needs.
– Authors materials in accordance with museum and Smithsonian policies.

### Marketing Coordination
– Writes and updates textual content, selects relevant images, and distributes content through digital channels.
– Manages the department’s Google Ads grant by measuring, adjusting, and refocusing campaigns as needed.
– Works with the communications team to host press and influencers for familiarization with the mission, collection, programming, and expertise.
– Coordinates promotional efforts, messaging, and content consistency with museum and Smithsonian staff managing similar outlets.
– Monitors responses to campaign materials, identifies trends, and posts or distributes additional content to sustain interest and online dialogue.

## Qualification Requirements
**Experience:** Applicants must possess 2–3 years of related experience.

Required experience includes:

– Knowledge of communication principles, methods, and techniques to prepare and disseminate information about museum activities through print, electronic, and broadcast media.
– Knowledge of art and museum practices to communicate the messages of a modern and contemporary art institution.
– Ability to research, compile, and analyze information to write news releases on museum activities.
– Skill in exchanging information with museum staff and external constituents to coordinate interviews and tours with the media.
– Knowledge of AP and MLA style guides for writing and editing documents for media and the public.
– Knowledge of media resource databases to research media contacts and clips.
– Knowledge of key measurement platforms including Cision and Meltwater.
– Knowledge of Adobe Illustrator, Canva, and tools for Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to U.S. higher education programs by an organization specializing in foreign credential evaluation. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant.

Any false statement in your application may result in rejection or termination after employment begins.

Join us in “Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery.”

Resumes should include descriptions of paid and non-paid related work experience; start and end dates (month/year); and average hours worked per week.

**What to Expect Next:** After the vacancy announcement closes, resumes will be reviewed against qualification and experience requirements. Qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.

Relocation expenses are not paid.

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring accommodation should contact **[email protected]**. Determinations are made case by case. Review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures for more information.

The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To review the Smithsonian’s EEO program information, visit: [https://www.si.edu/oeo]

## About Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden
The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden (HMSG) is a leading voice for contemporary art and culture and provides a national platform for the art and artists of our time. We seek to share the transformative power of modern and contemporary art with audiences at all levels of awareness and understanding by creating meaningful, personal experiences in which art, artists, audiences, and ideas converge.

We enhance public understanding and appreciation of contemporary art through acquisition, exhibitions, education and public programs, conservation, and research. HMSG develops collaborative relationships within the Smithsonian, across the United States, and internationally. Designed by architect Gordon Bunshaft, the museum’s elevated circular building includes 60,000 square feet of exhibition space and nearly four acres of outdoor space in its multilevel Sculpture Garden and Plaza. The collection consists of approximately 12,000 objects of modern and contemporary art.

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