Editor

Summary

The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo. This position is located in Communications and Marketing, External Affairs, National Museum of the American Latino (NMAL), Under Secretary for Museums and Culture, Smithsonian Institution (SI).

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Duties

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The Editor position provides bilingual editorial, translation, and support services to all Unit departments. The position involves editing and producing a broad range of museum content for multiple platforms, including digital and print media, while ensuring accuracy, consistency, and high-quality communication.

In this position, you will:

• Copy-edit, write, proofread, and verify content for digital, print, exhibition, publication, and leadership communications.
• Edit and review print and digital content for accuracy, quality, style, formatting, grammar, spelling, and translation.
• Translate, adapt, and review content in English and Spanish for public-facing, internal, and stakeholder communications; ensures accuracy, clarity, relevance, consistent terminology, and alignment with the museum's voice and standards.
• Coordinate with vendors, authors, designers, printers, and distributors to develop and produce print and digital materials; oversees distribution, monitors requests, maintains inventory, and ensures the safe storage of products.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Investigation
• May need to complete a Probationary Period
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.

Conditions of Employment

Qualification requirements, including one year time-in-grade at the next lower grade level for promotion candidates, must be met within 30 days of the job announcement closing date. See the 'Required Documents' section for additional information.

For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on OPM Website.

Qualifications

Experience: You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal Service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as (1) writing, editing, and proofreading English- and Spanish-language content (2) translating and reviewing written materials from English to Spanish and Spanish to English while preserving the meaning, tone, and intent of the original text; and (3) ensuring accuracy, clarity, consistency, and appropriateness for multiple audiences.

Your resume must be no more than two (2) pages and should clearly demonstrate how your experience aligns with the responsibilities and specialized experience required for this position. Do not copy language directly from the vacancy announcement, as you will be deemed ineligible for consideration. Instead, provide detailed, descriptive information about your actual experience.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be considered to determine the total number of years and months of experience. Be sure to note the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week.

OR

master's or equivalent graduate degree

or

2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree

or

LL.B. or J.D., if related

This position has a Selective Placement Factor. A Selective Placement Factor refers to a knowledge, skill, ability, or other characteristic that is essential for satisfactory performance in a specific position, in addition to the basic qualification requirements. Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the Selective Placement Factor as described in this announcement. Applicants who do not meet the Selective Placement Factor will be eliminated from consideration.

Selective Placement Factor:

Successfully translate, adapt and review content between English and Spanish for use across the National Museum of the American Latino, supporting all museum departments. Providing translation and bilingual editorial support for public-facing, internal and stakeholder materials, including:

• Website content
• Exhibition and interpretive materials
• Public program descriptions
• Event listings
• Educational resources
• Advancement communications
• Newsletters
• Social media content
• Leadership materials
• Press and public affairs materials
• Visitor information
• Signage text

Education

There is no basic education requirement.

Additional information

This position is included in the bargaining unit.

Written Assessment: Applicants may be required to submit a writing sample and complete a written translation exercise from English to Spanish and Spanish to English. The assessment will evaluate writing quality, translation accuracy, grammar, vocabulary, clarity, tone, context, and appropriateness for multiple audiences.

Recruitment Incentive: Recruitment incentive(s) may be authorized for this position. However, approval for incentives are contingent upon various availability. If authorized, certain incentives will require the incumbent to sign a service agreement to remain in the Federal government for a certain time period.

Note: This statement does not imply nor guarantee an incentive will be offered and paid.

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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Help

The Federal Government offers a comprehensive benefits package.

Please see Benefits at for a complete description.

Flexible Spending Accounts -

Health Insurance -

Leave -

Life Insurance -

Long Term Care Insurance -

Retirement Program -