Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist

Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist (Media Manager) (IS-1035-14)

OPEN DATE: October 2, 2024

CLOSING DATE: October 16, 2024 (This job will close once 100 applications are received which may be sooner than the closing date.)

POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund

APPOINTMENT TYPE: Indefinite

SCHEDULE: Full Time

DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC

Position sensitivity and risk: Non-sensitive (NS)/High 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.

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

This position is located organizationally in the Office of Public Affairs (OPA), Assistant Secretary for

Communications and External Affairs, Smithsonian Institution (SI). SI is a diverse museum and research complex dedicated to the increase and diffusion of knowledge. This OPA position supervises a portion of OPA’s public affairs functions. Add summary of unit and position.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Media Relations

Plans, directs and executes national and international communications campaigns to convey complex information concerning SI programs, research on program related areas, responsibilities and outreach activities. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with members of the top tier national and international news media, specialized groups interested in SI programs and with non-SI museums and academic and research organizations. Responds to information requests from local, regional,national and international news media, as well as specialized and general publics, on various programs in written and oral form, often requiring detailed explanations of performance in a particular situation.

Serves as spokesperson for SI and units. Manages media relations for senior leadership. Manages

crisis communications. Partners with OPA managers for the creation and maintenance of photo and video archives.

Public Affairs Advice and Guidance

Serves as principal advisor. Provides guidance, assistance and consultation to other specialists in SI museums and research centers in initiating and maintaining direct contacts with the public, specialized groups, community and governmental entities and crisis communications. Evaluates community relations and outreach programs and recommends modification when appropriate. Prepares and oversees articles for publication in print, broadcast, blogs, podcasts and online media. Serves as principal advisor to the Director of OPA and the Assistant Secretary for Communications and External Affairs on all media matters. Works with Office of Government Relations on congressional communications, Office of General Counsel for information requests, Office of Advancement for donor communications and marketing colleagues for partnerships and advertising.

Supervision

Performs all the major aspects of a supervisor which include:

interviewing and selecting candidates for positions

training

assigning work

conducting performance evaluations

recommending promotions, reassignments and other personnel actions

reviewing the completeness and thoroughness of work assignments

counseling employees on problems related to work responsibilities

adjudicating complaints

responding to technical inquiries from subordinates to facilitate the completion of work

Demonstrates leadership in planning and directing activities. Ensures the development and implementation of goals and objectives. Formulates policies and procedures. Ensures the integration of policies with those of other OPA teams.

Performs other duties as assigned.