OPEN DATE: June 30, 2026
CLOSING DATE: July 29, 2026
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Permanent
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC
Position sensitivity and risk:
Non-sensitive (NS)/Moderate Risk
Who May Apply:
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.
This position is located in the Office of Advancement, National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI), NZCBI leads the Smithsonian’s global effort to save species, better understand ecosystems and train future generations of conservationists. Its scientists also work in field stations around the world. More than 200 scientists and their partners in more than 30 countries create and share knowledge to aid in the survival and recovery of species and their habitats. Findings from these studies provide critical data for the management of captive populations and valuable insights for the conservation and management of wild populations. Collectively, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute care for more than 2,000 animals representing more than 380 species.
Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute includes a 163-acre exhibition complex in the District of Columbia, within the US National Park Service's Rock Creek Park, and a 3,200-acre conservation research facility outside Front Royal, Virginia, contiguous with the Shenandoah National Park and the Appalachian Trail. The Institute’s goals include excellence in animal care, research on endangered species, and education and high-quality visitor experience. On-going renovation and upgrade of the facilities to meet the highest standards of animal care and state-of-the-art research and education requirements, with over 100 buildings, some over 100 years old, requires a major investment of funds, only some of which is provided by the Federal appropriation to Smithsonian and the Zoo. Support for public programming and research is significantly dependent upon revenue from concessions income, special events.
Program Management
- Develops and manages prospect activity for the portfolio of prospects ranging from major gifts to principal giving.
- Seeks opportunities to expand the portfolio and increase giving from current donors. Develops individual strategies and execution activities to increase giving and expand portfolio.
- Executes prospect management practices in accordance with established guidelines and seeks to maximize the opportunities for prospects and donors.
- Ensures activity and information is recorded accurately, timely, to identify and engage the appropriate stakeholders. The position works collaboratively with and in support of the Advancement staff and others as needed.
Prospect Management
- Secures contributions from individuals, foundations, corporations, and other organizations by discovering and cultivating a productive relationship with prospective donors.
- Manages relationships with current and prospective donors, including identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors.
- Develops and executes strategies for engagement, presents opportunities for giving and negotiation, and completes solicitation efforts.
- This includes all aspects of plan development and execution of programs and projects to meet the established fundraising goals and performance metrics.
- Ensures adherence to policies, guidelines, and regulations. Evaluates and addresses challenges encountered with projects and plans and determines engagement of appropriate staff and supervisor as part of resolution.
- Engages staff, volunteers and leadership in cultivation and solicitation of donors in addition to soliciting gifts personally. Prepares correspondence and develops cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship materials.
Performs other duties as assigned.
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Requires mastery of professional fundraising techniques and understanding of the current philanthropic market to develop strategies for raising funds from a variety of prospects.
- Strong oral presentation skills to engage and inform donors and donor prospects and negotiate significant gifts on behalf of the Smithsonian or unit.
- Skill in developing written materials designed to recognize and encourage the organization's donors where their funding has benefited the unit programs.
- Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with a variety of individual or institutional donors of diverse backgrounds and interests.
- Skill in analyzing individuals and institutions to develop prospect portfolio and prospect donors in achieving fundraising goals.
- The work involves development of strategies specific to individual and/or institutional donors in the unit’s major gifts portfolio. The position’s effort contributes to the achievement of a significant part of the unit’s overall fundraising 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.
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 LaDonnys Biagas,
[email protected]. 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
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) leads the Smithsonian's global efforts to save species, better understand ecosystems, and train future generations of conservationists. Founded in 1889, NZCBI is part of the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum and research complex. Its two campuses are home to more than 2,100 animals, including some of the planet’s most critically endangered species. NZCBI’s employees, located in the nation’s capital, Front Royal, Virginia, and worldwide, are leaders in conservation, care, exhibition, and research of wildlife and habitats.
