Community Outreach and Engagement Specialist

Company: Smithsonian Institution
Location: Washington
Posted on: November 19, 2023

Job Description:

Community Outreach and Engagement Specialist (IS-1001-12)Application Deadline: 16 December 2023Department: National Museum of the American IndianEmployment Type: Full TimeLocation: Suitland, MDReporting To: Museum CuratorCompensation: $94,199 - $113,039 / yearDescriptionOPEN DATE: November 17, 2023 CLOSING DATE: December 16, 2023 POSITION TYPE: Trust FundAPPOINTMENT TYPE: Temporary Not to Exceed Three (3) Years SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC Position sensitivity and risk: Open to all qualified applicantsWhat 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

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• 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.
  OVERVIEWCome join a mission driven institution and be a central contributor to a new and exciting initiative at the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian! The NMAI seeks a Community Outreach and Engagement Specialist to be a part of the museum's new Outreach & Engagement Planning Office. The Office is dedicated to advancing NMAI's mission through developing and supporting collaborations and partnerships with Native and Indigenous communities and allied organizations. The incumbent is responsible for maintaining and building new relationships with Native communities and working closely with the head of the Outreach and Engagement Planning Office and staff from all departments of the museum to propose, develop, implement, and evaluate community outreach and engagement projects and initiatives.This position is located at the NMAI in the Cultural Resources Center in Suitland, MD. Occasional travel to other NMAI locations or partnering institutions and Native communities may be required.DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
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  • Maintain ongoing communication with Native communities, individuals, and organizations.
    
  • Assist the manager of the Office with developing strategic plans for community outreach and engagements; work with the Office team on outreach and engagement planning across the Museum's departments, envisioning opportunities for community collaboration and co-creation.
    
  • Conduct outreach to Native communities, individuals, and organizations to determine appropriate methods, activities, and initiatives for engagement.
    
  • Conceptualize, propose, implement, document, and evaluate outreach and engagement projects and programs and takes on projects as assigned by the supervisor of the Office.
    
  • Serve as project manager for assignments and projects that are often long-term and complex which may include writing summary reports after community engagements and oversight of project teams consisting of other NMAI departments and contractors.
    
  • Ensure that programs, projects, and activities are brought to completion within scope, schedule, and budget, with a keen focus on effective and consistent communication internally and with community partners.
    
  • Assist in collection review preparations and activities with communities at the Cultural Resources Center and participate in other community outreach and engagement activities on and off site as needed.
    
  • Advise NMAI staff concerning community outreach and engagement.
    
  • Represent the Museum at local, regional and/or statewide community events, meetings, and online forums serving Native communities, museums, cultural centers, colleges, and organizations in order to propose initiatives and opportunities to the supervisor and to facilitate and sustain essential collaboration and partnerships within SI, NMAI and outside organizations.
    
  • Collaborate with staff across the Museum to assess current community relationships and partners, and develop a strategy for tracking, managing, and deepening those relationships.
    
  • Identify or provide training opportunities to enhance internal staff competence with effective community outreach and engagement practices.
    
  • Recommend budgets for community engagements and ensure provision of logistics in support of the program.
    QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTSRequired Qualifications and Experience:
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    • Lived or learned experience working directly with Native communities.
      
    • Experience developing and facilitating convenings and collaborative programs with community groups.
      
    • Knowledge of outreach and engagement strategies, programs, and projects.
      
    • Knowledge of Native perspectives on museums and the collections in their care.
      
    • Ability to plan, coordinate, and prioritize multiple projects independently and with a high degree of efficiency and accuracy.
      
    • Excellent organizational and long-range planning skills.
      
    • The ability to work independently and in a team.
      
    • Knowledge of budget and fiscal management principles to recommend project budgets.
      
    • Excellent communication skills to write statements of work, letters, memoranda, reports, etc., and to present lectures, seminars, and symposia to live audience.
      
    • Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and creatively on internal and external teams in a collegial and respectful manner.
      
    • Ability to manage conflicts and participate in problem solving with tact and empathy.
      Preferred Qualifications and Experience:
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      • 5-8 years of experience in community engagement or PhD in community-based research, Native American studies, cultural anthropology, American studies, applied anthropology, ethnic studies, history, sociology, or other related discipline.
        
      • Experience in museum collections access practices including handling and care of cultural belongings and advising others in these areas.
        
      • Experience in collections information systems and/or customer relationship management software; the incumbent may provide collections reports for Native community members as needed.
        
      • Experience applying qualitative and quantitative evaluative methods to analyze and evaluate community outreach and engagement program activities.
        
      • Proficiency in the functions of Microsoft Office software, including include Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and virtual meeting platforms with the ability to learn new automated systems.
        
      • Working proficiency in KE EMu.
        
      • Working proficiency in Salesforce.
        
      • Working proficiency in second language (Indigenous, Spanish).
        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 InclusionThe Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact NMAI-Human Resources@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 .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: .
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Keywords: Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC , Community Outreach and Engagement Specialist, Other , Washington, DC