Department: Other Agencies and Independent Organizations
Location(s): Washington, District of Columbia
Salary Range: $102415 - $133142 Per Year
Job Summary: The Smithsonian Institution (SI) is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo. This position is in the Discovery, Acquisitions, and Technical Services (DATS) department, Smithsonian Libraries and Archives (SLA). The SLA gathers, organizes, and disseminates the records and history of the Institution to support its research and education programs. More than one selection may be made from this announcement.
Major Duties:
Qualifications: Basic Qualification Requirements: All librarians must meet the requirements for professional education in library science or possess equivalent experience and education. A. Completion of 1 full academic year of graduate study in library science in an accredited college or university, in addition to completion of all work required for a bachelor's degree. OR B. A total of at least 5 years of a combination of college-level education, training, and experience. To qualify on this basis, the applicant must establish conclusively that the education, training, and experience provided a knowledge and understanding of the theories, principles, and techniques of professional librarianship; a knowledge of literature resources; and the knowledge and abilities essential for providing effective library and information services. In addition to meeting the basic qualification requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the specialized experience and/or education requirements listed below: GS-12 Experience: You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal Service. For this position Specialized experience is defined as managing an acquisitions or electronic resources unit or department that handles the acquisition, cataloging, licensing, lifecycle management, and access to electronic resources, serials, and electronic collections. This experience may include applying new rules and standards to existing workflows, completing large‐scale descriptive projects, and collaborating with colleagues on new initiatives. It also includes contributing to operating plans, supporting budget planning and expenditure forecasting, and ensuring the cost‐effective acquisition of serials and electronic resources. Your resume must be no more than two (2) pages and should clearly demonstrate how your experience aligns with the responsibilities and specialized experience required for this position. Do not copy language directly from the vacancy announcement, as you will be deemed ineligible for consideration. Instead, provide detailed, descriptive information about your actual experience. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be considered to determine the total number of years and months of experience. Be sure to note the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week.
How to Apply: Click on the "Apply Online" button on the upper right side of the page. Please Note: You must apply for this position online through the 'Apply Online' button and submit required supplemental documents (if they are relevant to you). Your resume must be no more than two (2) pages. You may submit required documents by uploading them online during the application process; OR You may manually fax required documents. Faxes are received by an automated system, not a physical fax machine. Documents that are faxed as part of the application process must be sent with the system generated cover sheet by the closing date. Documents faxed without the system generated coversheet are not retrievable and cannot be considered as part of the application package. The complete application package, including any required documents, is due in the Smithsonian Office of Human Resources on the closing date of the announcement by 11:59 PM Eastern Time. If you are unable to apply online, paper applications may be accepted with prior approval of the Contact Person listed below.
Application Deadline: 2026-03-20