Description:
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
- 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.
OVERVIEW
This position is based at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) in Edgewater, Maryland. SERC is a research center of the Smithsonian Institution, located on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay, approximately 10 miles south of Annapolis, 40 miles west of Washington D.C., and 40 miles south of Baltimore. The 2,650 acre SERC campus contains a laboratory, office complex, educational, and waterfront facilities.
We are seeking a public engagement program assistant to facilitate the programs and activities of the SERC Education and Public Engagement Programs.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Monday-Friday schedule, 8 hours/day full time
- Implement public and educational programs across a variety of audiences and topics, including public and K-12 programs.
- Lead classroom, laboratory, virtual, and outdoor activities. Topics will include estuarine and fisheries ecology, forest ecology, plant ecology, watershed dynamics, and wetland and water quality.
- Lead virtual programs via programs such as Zoom and Google Classroom.
- Lead on-the-water programs, such as canoeing and kayaking trips.
- Coordinate volunteer activities such as training, scheduling, tracking, and recognition for various volunteers of different ages and backgrounds.
- Develop content for communication materials including webpages, newsletters, brochures, and other written materials. May also include demonstrations, table exhibits, and videos.
- Incorporate SERC research into programs and content for a variety of external audiences. This involves working with a team of educators, senior scientists, technicians, undergraduate interns, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and visiting scientists—interfaces with scientific researchers to interpret environmental science concepts and research concepts and methods for non-scientists.
- Assist with various promotional events and activities, such as tours, lectures, Science Saturdays, demonstrations, and exhibits designed to increase program visibility as well as to engage members of the community and recruit volunteers.
- Assist with training and mentoring interns.
- Care of live animals such as fish and turtles.