Application Deadline: 8 November 2024
Department: Office of Public Affairs
Location: Washington, DC
Compensation: $68,405 - $75,245 / year
Description
OPEN DATE: October 29, 2024
CLOSING DATE: November 12, 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)/Low 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 in the Office of Public Affairs, Office of Communications and External Affairs, Smithsonian Institution (SI). The office coordinates and advises public affairs offices across all SI units, produces the Smithsonian's flagship website, media relations and an online newsroom, manages social media platforms and internal communications to promote SI content covering art, history, culture, and science.
The incumbent of this position serves as a junior Writer – Editor/Speechwriter assisting the senior Speechwriter by drafting, researching, editing, and fact checking written materials. The materials include speeches, congressional testimony, introductions, columns, articles, written documents, and other messages related to SI's vision. Supports the future strategic direction of SI through Secretary's vision and values using social media tools and other platforms.
The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex, with a variety of museums and the National Zoo. This position is in the central Smithsonian Office of Public Affairs (OPA).
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Support to the Senior Speechwriter
- Assists the Senior Writer-Editor gathering and verifying facts, obtaining materials from SI units and other sources, locating materials in libraries and archives, assembling visual aids (photographs, charts, other visual aids) for use. Working from rough notes, prepares first drafts for review by the Senior Speechwriter.
Column Writing
- Responsible for drafting and/or editing SI's internal newsletter, the Secretary's Monthly Columns for Smithsonian Magazine and the Torch, interviews the Secretary for each column's focus and ideas. Works closely with staff throughout the Smithsonian to obtain relevant information for the columns. Works closely with editors from the Smithsonian Magazine and the Torch, in order to meet deadlines and other requirements for the columns, such as length, conformance to style, and factual accuracy. Serves as the Secretary's liaison to the publications staff and editors, asking for the Secretary's input for approval when necessary. Responsible for ensuring that all materials are completely accurate, fact-checking the content with staff throughout SI. Ensures the Secretary's speeches and other statements are appropriately published on the Smithsonian website.
Speech writing
- Drafts public statements, including speeches, congressional testimony, video scripts, power point presentations and commencement addresses. Materials include written and visual products that articulate, interpret, and explain important policies, programs, and research findings. Incumbent acquires information about a variety of subjects; analyzes, selects, and presents the information in the proper format; and ensures that written products contain no conflict with the policies and objectives of related programs.
General Writing and Special Projects
- Drafts, and edits a variety of written content for in-house digital publications and materials that reflect the approach and preferences of the Secretary for organizing several types of written materials. When the Secretary prepares written draft materials, the incumbent is expected to revise the original when appropriate, while maintaining the Secretary's intent. In addition, the incumbent might prepare drafts for the Secretary, which will be edited, reviewed, and returned for completion.
- Drafts, reviews, edits, or fact checks materials drafted by offices outside the immediate Office of the Secretary, to include the Under Secretary's Offices, the Office of Advancement, and the Office of Government Relations.
- Drafts some social media content related to the Secretary's speaking engagements. Coordinates with other SI staff members and offices to facilitate the production of written materials authored by the Secretary. Obtains visual materials of Secretary's speaking engagements and other events for publishing.
- Participates in special projects that have a high priority for the Secretary to carry out the Secretary's vision and priorities, as they relate to the communication needs of SI and the Secretary's office.
Performs other duties as assigned
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
To qualify for this position, applicants must possess a bachelor's degree (B.A.) from an accredited four-year college or university and/or 3-5 years of related experience (described below); or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Knowledge of the principles and methods of written and oral communication and skill in applying principles and using methods in developing and disseminating information about the organization's programs and activities to the public and employees through written material and online media.
- Knowledge of SI policies, guidelines, and activities for identifying the characteristics of target audiences to assist in the determination of the most effective communication techniques to use in reaching these audiences.
- Ability to analyze material written by others, in terms of objectives, style, grammar, manner of presentation and the ability to reorganize or revise material, as necessary.
- Skill in handling the pressures and responsibilities of meeting deadlines, including those associated with the production of dated communications products, such as monthly publications and online staff newsletter.
- Skill in initiating, establishing, and maintaining good working relationships with individuals serving as sources of information, editors or managers of other publications, and staff and non-staff from diverse cultural communities.
- Skill with Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Publisher or similar.
We would like to inform you that throughout the application process, there may be occasions when a writing sample is requested. This could occur at any point, so we encourage you to be prepared to provide such a sample if needed.
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 rejection of your application 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
OCEA-ADMI@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: https://www.si.edu/oeesd.
