Job Description
Advancement Specialist IS 1001-11
Application Deadline: 10 June 2026
Department: National Postal Museum
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Washington, DC
Reporting To: Director of Advancement
Compensation: $85,447 - $111,087 / year
OPEN DATE: May 27, 2026
CLOSING DATE: June 10, 2026 (This job will close when the first 150 applications are received which may be sooner than the closing date).
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Indefinite
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC
Position sensitivity and risk: Non-sensitive / Low 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 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.
The Smithsonian Institution’s National Postal Museum (NPM) brings the story of communication and the postal system to life across 23,000 square feet of dynamic exhibition space, complemented by a research library, Postal Store and Philatelic Center, and museum shop. Home to nearly 6 million objects—ranging from miniature stamps to full-scale vehicles—the museum offers a fascinating look at how mail has connected people and shaped the world.
Welcoming more than 400,000 visitors each year, NPM is the Smithsonian’s most-visited museum off the National Mall. Through innovative exhibitions, cutting-edge research, and engaging educational and public programs, the museum transforms the history of mail and philately into an accessible, relevant, and inspiring experience for diverse audiences.
This position sits within the Advancement Department and reports directly to the Director of Advancement. The department is a driving force behind NPM’s success, building meaningful relationships with donors and external partners to expand the museum’s impact. It also cultivates and stewards relationships with the Museum Advisory Council and the Council of Philatelists, whose leadership and advocacy are critical to the museum’s continued growth and impact.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assists with the stewardship of donors in maintaining continuous engagement, helps plan and execute the annual appeal, and acknowledges gifts from donors.
- Helps steward the Councils, including planning meetings and maintaining communications.
- Prepares reports and materials needed for donor engagement, solicitation, and stewardship in consultation with the supervisor to determine the best possible approach.
- Plans, manages, and executes special events, including the gala, and/or educational programs for donors such as symposia, tours, receptions, and other cultivation events.
- Assists front-line staff with managing their portfolios, pipeline reviews, and prospect strategy sessions. Identifies and engages constituents with both larger gift potential and an interest in the Smithsonian.
- Maintains, enters, and ensures that information in the advancement database is verified and updated regularly.
- Manages, prepares, and tracks approval of gift agreements, memoranda of understanding, and other gift related documentation.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Education and Experience: To qualify for this position, applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from an accredited four-year college or university and/or 3-5 years of related experience (described below); or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience required for this position is as follows:
- Knowledge of fundraising strategies, principles, and techniques needed for promoting the organization’s programs and developing prospects into donors.
- Skill in gathering, evaluating, and interpreting complex fundraising data.
- Ability to research prospects to match their interests with the organizational programs and determine the appropriateness of internal information according to donors’ preference.
- Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with people having different interests.
- Strong ability to communicate in writing to edit, proofread, and prepare various written materials.
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 NPM-HR@si.edu. 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 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
