Program Manager (GEO-TREES), IS-0340-13

Job Description

Job Description

Description

OPEN DATE: August 26, 2026                   

CLOSING DATE: September 25, 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: Temporary, Not to Exceed (NTE) two years, with the possibility of extending for an additional year, contingent upon the availability of funds.

SCHEDULE: Full Time

DUTY LOCATION: On Site - 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 but will be required before a Final Offer Letter is 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 Washington, DC, within the Forest Global Earth Observatory (ForestGEO), Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), under the Office of the Under Secretary for Science and Research at the Smithsonian Institution (SI).

STRI provides a global platform for groundbreaking research on tropical forests and marine ecosystems, with a focus on their biodiversity and the ways in which they support human well-being.

The ForestGEO program is a global network of scientists and forest research sites dedicated to advancing the long-term study of the world's forests. The GEO-TREES initiative addresses the uncertainty of satellite estimates of forest carbon by creating a trustworthy global carbon verification system based on existing collaborations among scientists at forest research sites worldwide.

The purpose of this position is to serve as Program Manager, responsible for managing, coordinating, and supporting the implementation of the technical aspects of the GEO-TREES program.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Operations  

• Manages day-to-day operational and administrative management of the GEO-TREES technical program, including developing program work plans and implementation, planning field and data collection schedules, reviewing technical contracts and budgets, and development of new funding opportunities.
• Supports the coordination and oversight of scientific data collection activities conducted by international research partner institutions and private companies, including reviewing related contractual documents to ensure alignment with program objectives.
• Supports strategic planning and implementation; organizes and facilitates strategic planning meetings and contributes ideas in developing strategies for the GEO-TREES program.
• Drafts and edits GEO-TREES external communication and strategic planning documents in conjunction with GEO-TREES Executive Board.
• Facilitates program governance for the GEO-TREES program. Supports planning for governing bodies, including Executive Board, Science Advisory Board, and Technical Implementation Groups.
• Ensures information flow and objective accomplishments among these bodies.
• Drafts guiding documents to support setting program policies, including governance rules, terms of reference for working groups, codes of conduct for workshops, and related materials.
• Prepares GEO-TREES program progress and summary reports for multiple partners and stakeholders including annual financial reports.
• Summarizes scientific findings from the network to prepare various forms of communication, such as press releases and blog articles.
• Facilitates workshops and symposia for international participation in GEO-TREES science initiatives.
• Manage day-to-day operational and administrative management activities of GEO-TREES including planning events, developing new funding opportunities, managing budgets and providing technical support to contracts, tracking progress towards project objectives, preparing regular reports on program progress, and developing the program’s work plan and implementation.

Network Development and Partnership Management

• Facilitates development and maintenance of long-term partnerships with universities and research organizations around the world.
• Drafts agreements and memoranda of understanding with partner organizations.
• Organizes meetings with partner sites to review budget plans, work plans, and contract terms.
• Administers academic appointments through fellowships and internships.
• Assists in planning and executing recruitment activities.
• Collaborates with partners to identify shared priorities.
• Drafts position announcements, organizes and serves on search committees, and supports onboarding of postdoctoral fellows and interns.
• Interpret scientific findings from the network for the preparation of reports and proposals.
• Maintain long-term partnerships with site partners, universities, research organizations, and other scientific collaborators engaged in forest biomass and ecosystem monitoring initiatives around the world.

Financial Planning and Management 

• Manages program financial resources including financial planning, budget formulation, and budget execution.
• Provides routine budget updates to the Director, network partners, and program stakeholders.
• Contributes to procurement activities through contract document review, requirement development support, and coordination with acquisition staff.
• Assists the Director in submitting proposals, monitoring progress, and reporting on grants.
• Ensures financial and grant resources are executed in accordance with Smithsonian policies and procedures.
• Uses ERP Financials and ERP Portal to track expenditures and create financial and narrative reports for the ForestGEO Director and Executive Board.
• Works with site partners to develop and review budgets for fieldwork and data collection.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Other Significant Facts

• Position requires incumbent to obtain and maintain COTR 2 Level Certification.
• Special events may require occasional national and/or international travel.
• The incumbent may need to work extended days and/or weekends.
• Position may require overtime work.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Experience and knowledge required for this position is as follows:

• Mastery of program management principles and practices, along with a strong understanding of scientific research methods and data collection standards, to plan, coordinate, and evaluate complex program activities across multiple research sites and partner institutions.
• Expert knowledge of program planning, performance measurement, and evaluation techniques to develop long-range program goals, milestones, and criteria for assessing program accomplishments.
• Advanced skill in qualitative and quantitative analytical techniques to design, conduct, and interpret studies involving program operations, administrative systems, and organizational performance.
• Comprehensive knowledge of management and organizational principles to analyze and improve administrative processes, develop or revise work methods, and recommend changes affecting multiple organizational components.
• Basic knowledge of acquisition processes sufficient to review contract documentation for alignment with program objectives and coordinate program requirements with contracting officials.
• Skill in collaborating with international scientific programs and partner institutions to accomplish shared goals and strengthen the GEO-TREES program and global research capabilities.
• Skill in planning, organizing, and conducting workshops, meetings, and other activities that support the development and maintenance of long-term partnerships with universities and research organizations worldwide, including the management of budgets and work plans across partner organizations.
• Skill in analyzing financial and administrative data to manage program resources efficiently, including tracking expenses and developing and managing budgets for a program of international scope.
• Skill in communicating effectively and tactfully, both orally and in writing, with individuals from diverse cultural and national backgrounds.
• Skill in coordinating logistics for large workshops, training sessions, meetings, and other program events.
• Skill in using computer systems and software applications for financial management, tracking, monitoring, and financial oversight of large projects.
• Skill in fostering team motivation by building commitment, pride, and trust and encouraging collaboration to achieve shared goals. 

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.

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. 

 

Relocation expenses are not paid.

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact View email address on ziprecruiter.com. 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 (

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