Public Affairs Specialist

Public Affairs Specialist (IS-1035-13)

OPEN DATE: September 13, 2024      

CLOSING DATE: September 27, 2024 (This job will close once 100 applications are received which may be sooner than the closing date.) 

POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund

APPOINTMENT TYPE: Temporary Not to Exceed Two (2) Years

SCHEDULE: Full Time

DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC

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 Smithsonian Institution (SI) is a diverse museum and research complex dedicated to the increase and diffusion of knowledge. This position is located in the Office of Communications and External Affairs (OCEA), Office of Public Affairs (OPA). OPA manages communications for the main Smithsonian brand which includes media relations, social media, crisis communications, internal communications, website and counseling senior staff on sensitive or controversial issues. The incumbent performs a wide variety of public affairs duties related to the upcoming 250th Semiquincentennial celebration at the Smithsonian. 

The position reports to the Media Manager.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Social Media Collaborations 

• Advances projects, campaigns, and relationships that bring together key collaborators-such as external organizations, influencers, Smithsonian units-in cooperative social media activities and campaigns, with an emphasis on targeting organizations, community partners, and influencers outside SI.
• Ensures that collaborations are rooted in SI goals and mission. Evaluates collaborations to report on engagement, audience growth, and quality content.
• Interfaces with social media strategist and key departments (OGC, OCON, OCIO, SE, Advancement) to develop support for technical and agreement aspects of collaborations.
• Maintains strong relationships and connections with outside organizations and influencers. Coordinates with units, Marketing, Advancement, and others to track and guide communications with outside groups and notable individuals to maximize impact and minimize miscommunication or duplication of efforts.
• Presents best practices, lessons learned, and other training and resources to SI social media manager community and other audiences as assigned.

Social Video Strategy 

• Develops and presents recommendations for Smithsonian central social video strategy. Implements video strategies, from setting up the support and workflows through producing social videos, working with all social media team members.
• Develops social video content, coordinates review, includes accessibility measures, updates colleagues and editorial calendar, schedules for posting, monitors audience reaction, and manages customer care for those posts.
• Evaluates and reports on video metrics, audiences, and trends.
• Presents social video best practices, lessons learned, and other resources to audiences as assigned by Social Media Strategist.
• Develops, presents, and implements recommendations for Smithsonian YouTube presence and maintains relationship with Google representatives to support SI efforts on YouTube.
• Identifies and, if applicable, repurposes/adapts quality unit-created video content for Smithsonian platforms to post or amplify.

Content Production and OPA Support 

• Contributes to social media content production and review, as well as monitoring, reporting, and customer service as assigned.
• Expands and modernizes Smithsonian social campaigns to increase target audience engagement and adapt to evolving social media features, tools, and trends.
• Contributes to editing and review of social media content produced by fellow team members for accuracy, sensitivity, style, and brand voice, providing actionable feedback and helping to raise skill levels in content creation across the team.
• Prepares strategic plans.
• Manages contract vendors and freelancers. Supports OPA priorities as assigned.

OPA Liaison 

• Tracks and evaluates new social media networks/platforms/tools and shares relevant trends and updates with OPA and SI social media manager community.
• Presents recommendations and prepares strategic planning documents on how to prepare Smithsonian for major developments in the social media landscape that are 6-24 months ahead.
• Acts as OPA liaison on projects and initiatives as assigned.
• Acts as OPA representative in rapid response situations as assigned. Performs other duties as assigned. 

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Knowledge of public affairs, communications, and marketing principles and practices as well as knowledge of a variety of media, media contacts, public affairs strategies and approaches, and public affairs activities in order to advise on public affairs and media issues and potential reaction to programs and exhibitions.
• Skill in developing written and video communication materials, especially social media posts, reports, presentations, strategies, video scripts, and other materials that convey information to audiences of varying interests, concerning a range of subjects related to Smithsonian units.
• Skill in developing social media content, including tactics for reaching, engaging, and growing target audiences, using all features within lnstagram, Linkedln, and Facebook. Skill in writing, editing and communicating complex topics to a general audience in text, images, and video.
• Skill in conducting research to produce engaging social media content, consulting multiple sources, fact checking, and editing text to ensure precision and quality.
• Skill in representing and promoting a major educational or mission-driven organization with international reach.
• Knowledge of social media communication principles, techniques, methods, trends and best practices, both organic and paid.
• Skill speaking on behalf of an organization on social media; skill in diplomacy and tact; politically savvy.
• Skill in conducting ongoing social media monitoring, reporting, analysis, and evaluation.
• Skill in understanding social media analytics and measurements; ability to adjust content and promotions, based on analytics.
• Skill in proactively communicating with colleagues about upcoming content, opportunities, and priorities to increase collaboration, maximize impact, and meet deadlines.
• Skill and good judgment in communicating with Smithsonian and external collaborators, negotiating mutually beneficial collaborative projects, and maintaining professional relationships.
• Knowledge of production schedules, logistics, timelines, accessibility standards, and review processes for collaborations, social video, and social media campaigns.

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 BakerDA@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.

The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: www.si.edu/oeema.

About Smithsonian Institution

Founded in 1846, the Smithsonian is the world’s largest museum and research complex of 19 museums and galleries, the National Zoological Park and nine research facilities. There are 6,000 Smithsonian employees, including approximately 500 scientists. The total number of objects, works of art and specimens at the Smithsonian is estimated at nearly 137 million.