OPEN DATE: July 24th, 2026 CLOSING DATE: August 7th, 2026 (This job will close once 100 applications are received which may be sooner than the closing date.) POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund APPOINTMENT TYPE: Temporary Not To Exceed 1 Year.
SCHEDULE:
Full Time DUTY
LOCATION:
Washington, DC Position sensitivity and risk: Non-sensitive (NS)/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 Management Support Assistant will provide analytical, evaluative and administrative assistance for a variety of financial, procurement and logistical activities, as well as general administrative support for the Center for the Study of African American Religious Life.
In this position, you will: Track expenditures. Determine or verify financial and other codes based on transaction, source, purpose, and program; enter transactions into a funds tracking system Order a variety of goods and services using the Smithsonian’s procurement system Enterprise Resource Management (ERM). Prepare travel arrangements as needed, including booking hotels, transportation, and rental cars and prepare travel authorizations and vouchers. Conduct studies of clerical work processes in various organizations to identify, analyze and recommend solutions to problems in administrative procedures, work processes and methods.
Assist with preparation of material such as correspondence, reports and briefing slides using a variety of office software. Draft and edit material based on past practice, verbal instructions and knowledge of office programs.
Experience:
Job details are sourced from the employer's original posting.
Open job postingAbout the company
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) is a leading research institution in astrophysics, part of the Smithsonian Institution, conducting ground- and space-based astronomy research and developing scientific instrumentation.