Public Affairs Specialist

Position sensitivity and risk: Non-sensitive/Low Risk Who May Apply: Open to all qualified applicants 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 Public Affairs Specialist is located in the Office of Communications and Marketing, which has responsibility for directing, planning, and coordinating the communications and promotion of the museum’s mission, activities, and accomplishments to its audiences. The incumbent prepares informational materials, serves as a media contact, and formulates and implements outreach to media, influential publics and stakeholders, and drafts and supports marketing plans for assigned exhibitions, initiatives, and programs. Strong writing and organizational skills are essential.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Public Affairs Develop media plans, to include the calendar for outreach, the story or theme relevant to individual media segments, and the methods to distribute the themes. Compile and track media coverage of the museum to evaluate success of the plans and methods. Respond to inquiries from the media by providing information packets and factual verifications; conduct research and collect materials including short original video and photos for pitching, public awareness, and promotional use. Provide information and responses according to media plans and Smithsonian policies. Schedule museum or other site visits for photo shoots and filming by news outlets, production companies, and Smithsonian photographers, and coordinate necessary building access. Schedule and make logistical arrangements for media events including VIP tours, press previews, and exhibition previews. Maintain friendly and cooperative relationships with a large spectrum of local and national media, and keep them informed of the wide range of the museum’s activities. Conduct regular measurement of the department’s media reach and draft reports. Writing and Editing Coordination Write and edit materials for the media including press releases, media advisories, calendars, fact sheets, etc. Write and edit materials for the general public including two original weekly e-newsletters, program descriptions, museum signage, social media posts. Confere with curators, educators, and other museum staff to identify and develop information for use in news releases, TV and radio programs, articles, and meetings with media representatives. Create materials that support media coverage for a wide range of events including facesheets and backgrounds, runs-of-show and coordinate internal memos to alert staff museum-wide of communications needs. Author materials in accordance with the museum and Smithsonian policies. Marketing Coordination Write and update textual content, select suitable and relevant images, and share this content through digital distribution channels. Manage the department’s Google Ads grant by measuring, adjusting and refocusing the campaign as needed. Work with the communications team to host press and influencers for familiarization with the mission, collection, programming and expertise. Coordinate promotional efforts, messages, and content consistency with other museum and Smithsonian staff who manage similar outlets. Monitor the responses to campaign messages and materials, identify trends, and post or distribute further content to sustain positive interest and online dialogue.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

To qualify for this position, applicants must possess 2-3 years of related experience. Knowledge of communication principles, methods, and techniques to prepare and disseminate information about the museum’s activities to the general public through print, electronic, and broadcast media. Knowledge of art and museum practices to communicate the messages of a modern and contemporary art institution. Ability to research, compile, and analyze information to write news releases on museum activities. Skill in exchanging information with a wide variety of museum staff and outside museum constituents to coordinate interviews and tours with the media. Knowledge of AP and MLA style guides to write and edit documents prepared for the media and the public. Knowledge of media resource databases to research media contacts and clips. Knowledge of key measurement platforms including Cision and Meltwater. Knowledge of Adobe Illustrator, Canva and toolbox for Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. 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. Applicants must provide documentation as part of the application. Any false statement in your application may result in rejection and may also result in termination after employment begins. The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact View email address on click.appcast.io . Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case‑by‑case basis. The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer . To review The Smithsonian's EEO program information, please visit #J-18808-Ljbffr Smithsonian Institution