Supervisory HR Specialist (Recruitment & Placement), IS -0201-15
Application Deadline: 14 July 2026
Department: Office of Human Resources
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Washington, DC
Reporting To: Deputy Director, Talent Management
Compensation: $169,279 - $197,200 / year
Description
OPEN DATE: July 1, 2026
CLOSING DATE: July 14, 2026 (This announcement will close once 100 applications have been received, which may occur prior to the listed closing date.)
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Indefinite
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC
Position sensitivity and risk:
Non Sensitive / High 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 the U.S. is not required to apply; however, it must be provided before a final offer letter can be issued.
- 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 Trust Branch, Talent Management, Office of Human Resources (OHR), Under Secretary for Finance and Administration, Smithsonian Institution (SI). The Smithsonian Institution is a museum, education, and research complex dedicated to the increase and diffusion of knowledge. The Office of the Under Secretary for Finance and Administration supports the Institution’s enabling functions, including finance, budget, information technology, and facilities management. The Office of Human Resources (OHR) leads and supports all Smithsonian units, including museums, research units, and education centers, in the recruitment, development, and retention of a skilled and dedicated workforce.
The incumbent plans, directs, and oversees the personnel and activities of the Trust Branch, which provides recruitment and placement services across the Institution, excluding senior-level positions.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Recruitment & Staffing Program Design
- Serves as principal advisor to the highest levels of management within SI on all Trust staffing, recruitment, and hiring activities and practices. Serves as principal advisor to the highest levels of management within SI on all recruitment, sourcing and related program issues including classification and position management as it relates to placement activities. Represents the Director, OHR at conferences and meetings and speaks authoritatively on issues related to areas of specialization. Meets with and makes presentations to representatives of other SI organizational elements.
- Provides senior subject-matter leadership and expertise for assigned functional areas. Issues encountered in day-to-day and long-term operations require in-depth analysis of problems that have been intractable; their resolution requires mastery of HR policies, regulations and laws as well as innovation and creativity. The incumbent applies a wide variety of analytical methods, techniques and processes in conducting, planning and supervising studies in areas where the direction, limits and techniques involved cannot be established in advance. Frequently encounters conflicting information on goals, objectives and interrelationships among programs and functions.
- Oversees or conducts reviews of new legislation or proposed government-wide HR regulations. Based upon in-depth studies and analysis, determines impact and applicability of issuances on the programs of the Smithsonian. Provides authoritative advice and consultation to top management and provides recommendations on initiatives required to implement the issuances. Develops formal and informal briefings for top managers on program and policy impact of new or proposed regulations and directives.
- Develops and implements solutions to major operating problems. Provides expert advice and consultation to all levels of Smithsonian management. Develops and implements solutions to major operating problems in the HR management system and provides expert assistance and consultation.
- Represents the Smithsonian at high level meetings and conferences where initiatives are likely to have wide-ranging impacts. Serves on Smithsonian, interagency and other types of committees of broad importance as a recognized authority on all aspects of areas of specialization.
- Other duties as assigned.
Supervision
- Plans, organizes, directs, supervises, and manages the personnel and activities of the Branch. Uses team leaders or senior HR Specialists on a permanent or ad hoc basis to oversee and coordinate complex, long term projects.
- Serves as a hands-on supervisor to Human Resources Specialists (Recruitment) and support staff, providing technical guidance on complex staffing actions and issues. Ensures consistent application of HR policies, procedures, and practices.
- Exercises the full range of supervisory authorities, including workforce planning, performance management, employee development, and resolution of employee relations matters. Makes or recommends selections, determines training needs, and recommends performance awards and bonuses, and recognizes employee contributions.
- Provides guidance on projects and program activities, balancing day-to-day operational requirements with longer-term priorities. Coordinates work within the Branch and with other organizational components to support effective program operations.
- Exercises delegated managerial authority to set annual and multi-year plans and schedules for projects accomplished in-house and, as applicable, through contract support. Determines goals and objectives for the Branch, establishes priorities, and allocates resources, including realignment of work to address shortfalls or meet priority needs.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
To qualify for this position, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience. Specialized experience is defined as experience:
• Managing human resources activities for a variety of functional areas; including recruitment, staffing and hiring.
• Formulating long- and short-range recruitment goals that directly impact organization-wide initiatives.
• Solving mission-critical human resources problems that cross multiple program lines.
• Leading a staff/team of human resources personnel through significant organizational change to optimize the use of personnel resources and talent.
• Promoting and maintaining good working relationships with key individuals or groups both inside and outside the organization to accomplish special goals and objectives.
• Responding to stakeholder inquiries related to recruitment strategies and functions, including resolving critical problems and issues related to program management, policy application, and human resource initiatives.
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.
Selections may be made for vacancies across the Smithsonian Institution (SI). By applying to this position, you agree to allow your application and other personal information to be shared with one or more SI hiring officials for employment consideration for same/similar positions within the location(s) identified in this announcement.
At any stage of the application process, SI may request that applicants provide additional documentation, including:
a. A current performance appraisal;
b. Work samples; and
c. References who may be contacted by the hiring unit
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.
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
