Exhibition Coordinator, IS-1001-11

Application Deadline: 7 July 2026

Department: Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Washington, DC

Compensation: $85,447 - $111,087 / year

Description

OPEN DATE: June 16,2026

CLOSING DATE: July 7, 2026

POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund

APPOINTMENT TYPE: Permanent

SCHEDULE: Full Time

DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC

Position sensitivity and risk:Non-sensitive/Low Risk

Who May Apply:
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.

OVERVIEW

The Smithsonian's Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden (HMSG) is a leading voice for contemporary art and culture and provides a national platform for the art and artists of our time. We seek to share the transformative power of modern and contemporary art with audiences at all levels of awareness and understanding by creating meaningful, personal experiences in which art, artists, audiences, and ideas converge. We enhance public understanding and appreciation of contemporary art through acquisition, exhibitions, education and public programs, conservation, and research. In order to fulfill its mission, HMSG develops collaborative relationships with institutions and organizations within the Smithsonian, the United States, and abroad. The collection consists of approximately 13,000 objects of modern and contemporary art, consisting of paintings, sculptures, variable media, and works on paper.

The Exhibits, Design, and Special Projects department is responsible for the planning, design, and implementation of all exhibitions and special projects, including the preparation of technical and contractual documentation and specifications; cabinet shop production, and exhibition installation and de-installation. The selected candidate will serve as an Exhibition Coordinator, providing professional project coordination and administrative support for the department.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Coordination
• Coordinates and facilitates the execution of exhibitions and special projects.
• Facilitates the efforts of the Exhibits department, other HMSG stakeholders, and those of outside contractors, and assures that the objectives of exhibition projects are satisfied.
• Maintains and administers the museum's Master Calendar of Exhibitions and Special Projects, monitors progress of exhibitions and special projects as assigned, updates content, syncs with exhibition and programs calendars, and identifies conflicts when they appear.
• Coordinates contractors and museum staff in the safe and timely implementation of special projects, initiatives, and exhibitions.
• Assists the Director of Exhibits with project coordination of larger-scale projects

Procurement, Budgeting, and Resource Allocation
• Provides support to department head in the budget formulation process. Focusing on technical aspects, identifies potential resources needed and processes required to implement exhibitions and projects.
• Prepares purchase orders, contracts, requisitions, and similar documents for their assigned projects. Creates, reviews, and comments on scope of work (SOW) statements for work to be contracted and procured from outside vendors.
• Provides administration of contract work from solicitation and contract award through on-site inspections and work approval.
• Uses project management software to devise payouts and methodologies to track funds for exhibitions and special projects and prepares reporting.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Experience: To qualify for this position, applicants must possess 3-5 years of related experience (described below).

Experience required for this position is as follows:
• Knowledge of administrative practices and procedures in order to provide coordination in support of the exhibitions and special projects of the department, such as coordinating administrative operations with other staff and offices, data entry and follow up, and preparing reports.
• Knowledge of SmartSheet or similar project management software in a museum environment.
• Knowledge of Federal policies, procedures, and regulations for the procurement of goods and services.
• Ability to create, customize, maintain, and administer schedules, layouts, filters, and timeline graphs.
• Ability to effectively coordinate schedules of staff and contractors in order to ensure safe procedures are followed at all times.

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.