Program Coordinator (IS-1001-11)

Company: National Museum of the American Indian
Location: Suitland
Posted on: February 20, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Description OPEN DATE: 02/18/26 CLOSING DATE: 03/09/26 POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund APPOINTMENT TYPE: Temporary NTE 3 years SCHEDULE: Full Time DUTY LOCATION: Suitland MD Position sensitivity and risk: Non- Sensitive /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 The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) seeks experienced and highly motivated candidates to fill the position of Program Coordinator for an initial term of three years. The initial term may or may not be extended. The purpose of the position is to serve as the primary point of contact for inquiries related to the Four Pathways program by working in close partnership with the NMAI Assistant Director for Collections to manage program administration, budget coordination, and grant reporting. The Four Pathways of Return guides the NMAI in working with communities to return or care for cultural heritage items in ways that address past harms and support ethical stewardship. Integrating the NMAI Act and related Smithsonian policies, it helps determine the best pathway – Community Loan, Shared Stewardship, Repatriation, or Ethical Returns – to provide communities with greater authority over their cultural heritage. The NMAI is responsible for affirming to Native communities and the non-Native public, the historical and contemporary culture and cultural achievements of the Indigenous peoples of the Western Hemisphere by advancing, in consultation, collaboration and cooperation with them, a knowledge and understanding of their cultures, including art, history, and language, and by recognizing the Museum's special responsibility, through innovative public programming, research, and collections, to protect, support, and enhance the development, maintenance, and perpetuation of Indigenous culture and community. This position is located at the National Museum of the American Indian’s Cultural Resource Center in Suitland, MD . The Smithsonian Institution is an equal opportunity employer. Please note, this is a trust position, and applications are not through USA Jobs; all that is required is an uploaded CV or resume to the online job application and a cover letter in the space provided at the online form. Please highlight how your resume and experience connect to the requirements of the position in your cover letter. A resume can be more than two pages given that it 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. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Serves as the primary point of contact for inquiries related to the Four Pathways program by working in close partnership with the Assistant Director for Collections to manage program administration, budget coordination, and grant reporting. Supports the conceptual development and strategic direction of the program, advising on feasibility, resource needs, and implementation. Guides the development and execution of the Four Pathways program, including staff training, performance monitoring, and creation of program materials such as the Four Pathways Program Guide. Designs strategies to sustain and expand the program, recommending improvements based on data analysis and evaluation. Advances effective communication between NMAI and other Smithsonian units, ensuring consistent messaging and coordination. Manages daily communications with program participants, providing resources and support and resolving issues independently. Serves as the principal advisor and support to the Assistant Director for Collections and the Four Pathways program, providing strategic recommendations and coordinating activities requiring attention from the program and Shared Stewardship and Ethical Returns Core Group. Leads and participates in consultations with tribal representatives, ensuring respectful and culturally sensitive engagement. Independently manages logistics for repatriations, consultations, and special projects, collaborating with staff across the Smithsonian units as needed. Supports the Registration Department in its management of packing, shipping, and return logistics for items associated with the Four Pathways program, collaborating closely with relevant staff as needed. Performs other duties as assigned. Manages procurement tasks, including catering requests and logistical arrangements for invitational travelers (i.e., individuals invited to the museum for official purposes, including travel, lodging, and related needs, which may include off-site visits). QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS Demonstrates strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to correspond diplomatically and effectively with a broad range of stakeholders, including museum staff, senior leadership, tribal representatives, and the general public. Ability to communicate clearly and professionally when conveying program-related information, such as updates to standard operating procedures and policy guidance. Demonstrates a comprehensive knowledge of Smithsonian Institution and NMAI policies, procedures, and operational requirements, including federal administrative processes such as budget formulation, funds management, procurement, and contract oversight. Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently, maintaining attention to detail and adapting to shifting priorities. Ability to apply a broad and nuanced understanding of Indigenous cultures to inform program development and stakeholder engagement tasks. Demonstrates advanced interpersonal and customer service skills to effectively engage with varied audiences including Native and Indigenous community members, researchers, and international partners. Knowledge of evaluative techniques and administrative principles to assess program effectiveness, support decision-making, and improve operational outcomes. 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." 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. 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. The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact NMAI-HR-STAFF@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 . To review The Smithsonian's EEO program information, please click the following: https://www.si.edu/oeo

Keywords: National Museum of the American Indian, Centreville , Program Coordinator (IS-1001-11), Administration, Clerical , Suitland, Virginia