Exhibits Specialist (Technical Coordinator) - IS-1010-12

Exhibits Specialist (Technical Coordinator) - IS-1010-12 Smithsonian Institution - 4.1 Washington, DC Job Details Full-time $102,415 - $133,142 a year 17 hours ago Benefits Commuter assistance AD&D insurance Health insurance Dental insurance Flexible spending account Vision insurance 403(b) Life insurance Qualifications Carpentry Project team coordination Project reporting Exhibit development Electro-mechanical components Power tools for woodworking Safety regulations Forklift Metal fabrication Schedule management Production planning 3D printing Welding Milling machines Machine maintenance Production scheduling Safety protocol implementation Progress tracking (project management tasks) CNC machining Full Job Description Exhibits Specialist (Technical Coordinator) - IS-1010-12 Please note: the page you are viewing is for internal candidates only.

OPEN DATE

May 11, 2026

CLOSING DATE:

May 15, 2026

POSITION TYPE:

Trust Fund

APPOINTMENT TYPE

Indefinite

SCHEDULE

Full Time

DUTY LOCATION

Landover, MD Position sensitivity and risk: Non-Sensitive/Low Risk Open to SI only 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 Smithsonian Institution Exhibits (SIE), Office of Under Secretary for Museums & Culture at the Smithsonian Institution (SI). SIE is the Smithsonian-wide resource for exhibits planning, design, and production, providing expertise and support to Smithsonian museums, research centers, and offices. The purpose of this position is to apply a full range of technical and creative skills in the design, development, production, and installation of museum exhibitions. This position involves projects of considerable complexity and requires specialized techniques and the use of a variety of materials.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Exhibits Technical Coordinator (25%) Develops production and installation schedules and oversees the coordination of complex exhibit installations. Provides technical expertise for both stationary and traveling exhibitions, overseeing the full lifecycle of installation, operation, deinstallation, and coordination. Exercises technical independence in the production and development of exhibition projects, including structurally accurate casework, artifact mounts, graphics, and other exhibit elements designed to enhance the presentation of valuable museum artifacts. Plans exhibit projects from initial design reviews and logistical scheduling through load in technical integration, and quality control, ensuring compliance with conservation, safety, and accessibility standards. During operational phases, monitors exhibit performance, resolves technical issues, and documents processes. For deinstallation, ensures safe dismantling, packing, inventory management, and post project evaluations. Manages coordination, arranges transportation, and adapts layouts to diverse gallery spaces. Supports budgeting for projects, estimating completion timelines, and preparing detailed work schedules. Identifies appropriate materials and methods, assists in project estimating, provides feedbackon designs and drawings, and orders exhibit components. Works closely with the production team and with project managers, designers, curators, clients,vendors, contractors, and other museum personnel. Exhibits Production (75%) The Exhibits Specialist manages the planning and delivery of complex exhibition structures and components, ensuring that museums and galleries achieve a presentation that enhances the exhibition experience. Prepares and produces finished exhibit elements, working from conceptual ideas, scale layouts,detailed design drawings, or digital files. Creates a wide range of exhibit components including casework, graphics, models, dioramas, electromechanical interactives, mounts, panels, platforms,and unique one-of-a-kind structures. These components are created to withstand heavy public use and hightraffic environments. Creates portable exhibits that are designed and constructed to allow for efficient disassembly, packing, shipping, and reassembly. Selects exhibition methodologyand manages advanced technologies. This includes creating and producing molds for casting processes, applying highquality finishing techniques, and utilizing Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining, interactive and structural engineering, 3D modeling, additive and subtractive manufacturing, digital sculpting, 3D printing, and metal machining. Operates large CNC routers, milling machines, saws, planers, jointers, drill presses,welding equipment, and a varietyof hand tools, as well as material handling equipment and aerial lifts. The incumbent repairs and refurbishes existing exhibit elements. Produces two- and three-dimensional Computer-Aided Design (CAD) shop drawings and models that detail construction methods, materials, tolerances, and assemblies for use in production. Creates and details components using CAD/CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing) software such as AutoCAD, Inventor, Fusion 360, Mastercam, and ZBrush. Mockups, prototypes, and first article components are developed to assist clients and colleagues in visualizing details and securing approvals prior to construction. Ensures that all machinery and equipment are properly maintained and repaired as needed. Adheres to established safety and security regulations. Supports compliance with safe workplace guidelines and Safety Data Sheets (SDS). Contributes to overall shop organization and broader safety initiatives. In addition, develops mockups, prototypes, and first-article components that enable clients, designers, and colleagues to visualize and refine exhibit concepts prior to final construction, producing models and preliminary components that serve as the basis for design approval and technical validation. Prototyping involves refining and enhancing the attributes of the created objects in close collaboration with members of the exhibit team, including designers, curators, and exhibit developers. Performs other duties as assigned.

Other Significant Facts:

Safe operation ofelectric-powered forklift trucks and applicable safety standards training. Operation and safe use of aerial man lifts, scaffolding systems, and self-arrest equipment training to perform complex tasks at heights related to exhibit installation ensuring compliance with safety protocols. May require travel and temporary duty (TDY) assignments.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the IS-11 level that is close or similar to the work of this job. For this position, specialized experience is defined as providing coordination and technical production expertise for museum exhibitions, overseeing the full lifecycle of exhibit fabrication, scheduling, load in/out, and ensuring compliance with conservation, safety and accessibility standards. Knowledge of exhibit methods, techniques, and materials which enables the creation, installation, finishing and maintenance of high-quality exhibit components, structures, and artifact mounts. Knowledge of fabrication practices to analyze requirements, design complex joinery, integrate diverse materials, and interpret technical drawings with precision. Knowledge of proper object handling and mount making techniques to securely display artifacts, along with conservation approved methods for packing and storage. Broad knowledge in exhibit construction and finishing methods, encompassing carpentry, CNC programming and machining, metalworking, plastic fabrication, welding, and 3D printing, extending to the fabrication of electromechanical interactives and the application of advanced finishing techniques to produce durable, high-quality exhibit components. Knowledge in project management principles and practices, applying them to effectively organize and coordinate work activities. This includes developing and maintaining production schedules, estimating resource requirements, defining milestones and deliverables, monitoring progress, evaluating outcomes, and preparing status reports to ensure projects are completed on time following established standards. Skill in following established safety procedures, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), tool guarding, and OSHA regulations for shops. Skill in safely operating electric-powered forklift trucks in confined spaces, including maneuvering through narrow aisles and on ramps, and in performing material handling tasks such as lifting, lowering, and transporting items. Proficiency in the use of aerial man lifts, scaffolding, and self-arrest equipment to support work at heights and ensure compliance with safety standards. Skill in the safe use, operation, and maintenance of a wide range of hand tools and power equipment, including routers, jigsaws, handsaws, table saws, crosscut saws, panel saws, planers, shapers, joiners, metalworking tools, and CNC machinery. Skills to contribute effectively to group tasks while fostering cohesion among colleagues, combined with the ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing to enhance collaboration. 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 [ ] . 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 About Smithsonian Institution Founded in 1846, the Smithsonian is the world's largest museum and research complex of 21 museums and galleries, the National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, and 14 education and research facilities. There are more than 6,500 Smithsonian employees, including approximately 500 scientists. The total number of objects, works of art and specimens at the Smithsonian is estimated at more than 157 million. Our Hiring Process Stage 5 : Second Interview Stage 6 : Tentative Offer Letter Stage 7 : Hired Stage 1 : Applied Stage 2 : Qualifications Review Stage 3 : Phone Screen Stage 4 : First Interview Stage 5 : Second Interview Stage 6 : Tentative Offer Letter Stage 7 : Hired Stage 1 : Applied Stage 2 : Qualifications Review Stage 3 : Phone Screen Stage 4 : First Interview Stage 5 : Second Interview Stage 6 : Tentative Offer Letter Stage 7 : Hired 1 2 3 Application Deadline May 15, 2026 Department Smithsonian Institution Exhibits Employment Type Full Time Location Washington, DC Workplace type Onsite Compensation $102,415 - $133,142 / year Reporting To Ariana Lilligren View all opportunities at Smithsonian Institution