Attorney-Advisor (Contract), IS-0905-12Application Deadline: 4 December 2026
Department: Office of Contracting & Personal Property Management
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Washington, DC
Reporting To: Supervisory Attorney Advisor
Compensation: $102,415 - $133,142 / year
DescriptionOPEN DATE: November 6, 2026 CLOSING DATE: December 4, 2026 POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
Promotion potential to a grade 13APPOINTMENT TYPE: Term Not years SCHEDULE: Full TimeDUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC
Position sensitivity and risk:Non-sensitive/Moderate Risk
Open to all qualified applicantsOVERVIEWThis position is located in the Complex Agreements Division, Office of Contracting and Personal Property Management (OCon&PPM), within the Office of the Under Secretary for Finance and Administration at the Smithsonian Institution (SI).
The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex, dedicated to the increase and diffusion of knowledge. OCon&PPM is responsible for the planning, administration, and oversight of the Institution's contracting, simplified acquisition, personal property, and procurement policy programs.
The selected candidate serves as a contracting and acquisition advisor for both appropriated and trust-funded programs, with a primary focus on complex, high-value information technology (IT) acquisitions. Responsibilities include providing expert guidance and support throughout the acquisition lifecycle, including acquisition planning, solicitation development, contract negotiation, award, administration, and closeout. The incumbent supports the procurement of mission-critical technology systems, products, and services that further the Smithsonian's operational, business, and strategic objectives.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESAt the GS-12 level, the Attorney-Advisor (Contract) performs a full range of acquisition and contract management functions for complex procurements involving IT products, services, and enterprise-wide systems. Assignments frequently involve multi-year projects with multiple contract actions, modifications, claims, disputes, and terminations. The position requires the coordination of numerous contractors, program offices, and stakeholders with varying technical and functional responsibilities, ensuring successful contract performance and effective stewardship of Smithsonian resources.
Key responsibilities include:
- Providing expert acquisition and contracting advice to program offices and management on complex contractual matters involving information technology, professional services, and other specialized requirements.
- Planning, developing, soliciting, negotiating, awarding, administering, and closing out contracts for a broad range of technical and non-technical services, including acquisitions involving innovative business and financial arrangements.
- Managing acquisitions supporting critical institutional operations, including retail systems, security systems, financial management systems, payroll and personnel systems, database management solutions, mailing list services, and other enterprise technology initiatives.
- Serving as the lead contract administrator for assigned projects and providing guidance throughout the contract lifecycle, including matters related to solicitations, amendments, contract awards, modifications, performance issues, delivery schedules, claims, product substitutions, contract interpretation, and terminations.
- Developing acquisition strategies and preparing all required procurement and contract documentation while ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and institutional requirements.
- Drafting customized contract provisions, evaluation criteria, testing requirements, and other specialized clauses designed to protect the Smithsonian Institution's interests and address unique project requirements or evolving business needs.
- Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating agreements involving intellectual property, information technology, electronic media, data rights, confidentiality requirements, cybersecurity protections, and the safeguarding of personally identifiable information (PII).
- Advising Smithsonian offices and program officials on acquisition planning, procurement strategies, contract administration, and the application of Smithsonian policies and the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR).
- Supporting the Office of Contracting and Personal Property Management (OCon&PPM) by preparing, negotiating, administering, and managing a variety of contracts and agreements and providing recommendations on contracting policies, procedures, and best practices.
- Providing expert consultation to OCon&PPM leadership, contracting staff, and Smithsonian organizations on complex acquisition and contracting matters affecting institutional operations and strategic initiatives.
- Performing other related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTSTo perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to carry out each essential duty satisfactorily. The qualifications listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the role.
- A Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school and active membership in good standing with the bar of any U.S. state, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico are required.
- Possess two years of progressively responsible experience performing duties related to those described for this position.
- Due to the fiduciary nature of this role, the selected candidate is entrusted with safeguarding the Smithsonian Institution's interests and must consistently demonstrate sound judgment, discretion, integrity, and the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct.
- This position is subject to annual financial disclosure requirements and compliance with applicable ethics regulations.
Key qualifications include:
- The position also supports the continuous improvement of acquisition operations by identifying policy, regulatory, and procedural issues and recommending changes to senior leadership. The work directly impacts a broad range of Smithsonian activities, including exhibitions, research, education, advancement, technology initiatives, and other mission-supporting operations.
- Expert in contract strategy, negotiation, risk management, and acquisition policy plays a critical role in advancing institutional goals and ensuring effective stewardship of Smithsonian resources.
- Responsible for addressing complex contractual issues involving both appropriated and trust-funded activities, requiring the analysis of sophisticated legal, business, and acquisition matters.
- Must independently evaluate challenging contractual situations, identify risks, and develop practical, legally sound solutions that support institutional objectives while protecting the Smithsonian's interests.
- Require extensive negotiations with internal and external parties.
- Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a wide variety of contracts, agreements, and related documents, each tailored to the unique requirements of individual projects and programs.
- Managing multiple priorities and concurrent projects, ensuring timely and effective execution of acquisition activities across a diverse portfolio.
- Reviewing contracts and agreements sponsored by various Smithsonian bureaus and offices, providing strategic guidance on contractual matters, and evaluating existing contracting practices and procedures.
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.
