OPEN DATE: 04/21/2026
CLOSING DATE: 05/05/2026 (This job will close once 100 applications are received which may be sooner than the closing date).
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Temporary, Not-To-Exceed Four Years
PROMOTION POTENTIAL: IS-09
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.
Come join a dedicated and creative team at an exceptional time for the Smithsonian, an institution with a bold vision for the future: to build a better tomorrow for all. The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex. The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) is part of the Smithsonian’s unique complex and is one of the most visited museums in the United States. Its mission is to promote understanding of the natural world and our place in it. NMNH has a collection of 148 million specimens and artifacts. Each one reflects a moment in space and time and in these moments, we find Earth’s story.
The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), Smithsonian Institution, is seeking a Financial Specialist to provide financial and procurement management services in support of Museum unit functions. This position sits within NMNH under the Under Secretary for Science and Research and is responsible for funds management, procurement coordination, travel administration, and accountable property support – all performed under assisted supervision.
Education and Experience: To qualify for this position, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level; OR education from an accredited college or university; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience required for this position is as follows:
For this position specialized experience is defined as experience in preparing financial reports and budget analyses; supporting federal procurement activities; applying federal financial management regulations (e.g., FAR, FTR, OMB Circulars); and using Microsoft Excel to analyze and report financial data.
In addition to meeting the specialized experience requirement, qualified candidates will demonstrate the following competencies, which will be evaluated through resume review by subject-matter-expert (SME):
- Knowledge of, and skill in applying organization's missions, functions, goals, objectives, work processes, and sources of funding; commonly used budget and/or finance practices, procedures, regulations, precedents, policies, and guides that specifically pertain to the work assigned.
- Knowledge of federal, trust, grant, and discretionary fund management practices, regulations, and policies.
- Ability to develop management statistics, with assistance, using spreadsheets containing personnel, salary, budget, and equipment information. es.
- Knowledge of federal contracting policies and procedures including other contracting methods.
- Ability to communicate clearly and professionally – both orally and in writing – with program staff, vendors, and administrative offices across the organization.
- Ability to identify, analyze, and resolve routine financial discrepancies and payment problems with a solution-oriented approach.
- Demonstrated tact, courtesy, and sound judgment in working with diverse stakeholders including researchers, administrators, contractors, and vendors
- Knowledge of federal travel regulations (FTR) and SI travel policy sufficient to certify travel and local vouchers with accurate chartfield notation and to assist staff with travel system questions.
- Knowledge of property management procedures including physical inventory, accession, transfer, and excess property coordination
Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree related to the position.
Or a Combination: Education and experience may be combined to meet the basic qualifications.
Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."
To Apply:
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.
Unofficial school transcripts must be submitted with your application package by the closing date of the announcement. If selected for the position, you must provide official transcripts before appointment.
Applicants who wish to qualify based on education completed outside the United States. Education completed outside the U.S. 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.
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.