Gift Officer (IS-1001-13)

Description OPEN DATE: June 28, 2024

CLOSING DATE: July 26, 2024

POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund APPOINTMENT TYPE: Indefinite

SCHEDULE: Full Time DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC

Low Risk/Non-Sensitive 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 and 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 as low risk. 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 Come join a dedicated and creative team at an exceptional time for the Smithsonian, an institution with a bold vision for the future: to build a better tomorrow for all. Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III and the Institution’s leadership are launching a campaign to support this vision. The Smithsonian Campaign for Our Shared Future will secure funds for all Smithsonian museums and centers as the institution reimagines its mission to find solutions for collective challenges in a rapidly changing world. The campaign will provide a foundation for critical research to ensure people and nature thrive together, build unparalleled education programs with families and partners, collect the world’s most precious objects, document the present while reflecting on the past, and reimagine the visitor experience both in-person and online. We are bringing the Smithsonian off the National Mall and across the country through dynamic programming and affiliate partnerships, creating access for all. The Smithsonian is also developing two new museums—the National Museum of the American Latino and the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum. These museums will share the experiences and perspectives of Latinos and women across history and deepen our shared understanding of what it means to be American. The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) is part of the Smithsonian Institution’s unique complex of 21 museums and galleries, the National Zoological Park, and nine research centers. The NMNH mission is to promote understanding of the natural world and our place in it, thus inspiring curiosity, discovery, and learning about the natural world through its unparalleled research, collection, exhibitions, and education and outreach programs. The museum’s collections tell the history of the planet and are a record of human interaction with the environment and one another. Because of the boundless curiosity of NMNH researchers, the breadth and depth of the collection, and the ability to inspire future generation of scientists, the museum has a vital role to play. In the next decade, the museum will welcome 60 million people through its doors and engage millions more digitally. Through NMNH, people can both discover the world and learn to become better stewards of it.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES NMNH seeks experienced and dynamic gift officers to serve as members of its successful fundraising team, supporting the museum’s mission and strategic plan as it heads into a capital campaign. This is an exceptional opportunity for an energetic professional with strong frontline fundraising skills to play an important role in building private support for the exhibitions, educational and outreach activities, research, and endowment needs of the Museum. The incumbent will assist the advancement office with prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities. The Gift Officer will work creatively to match donor interest with unit priorities, develop funding proposals, and negotiate complex gifts.

The Museum seeks to achieve and sustain total philanthropic support of $20 million on an annual basis as we enter the comprehensive phase of our fundraising campaign and beyond.

Buoyed by an extremely powerful institutional brand, an expansive base of volunteers, and substantial support from a small group of lead donors, our challenge now is to leverage the extraordinary strength of the higher levels of the donor pyramid. We are growing the museum's donor base at the five-, six- and seven-figure levels, acquiring new donors through annual giving, and moving funders through the giving cycle.

Identifying, cultivating, and soliciting new donors at all levels will be critical to the success of the Museum’s future fundraising efforts.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS Successful candidates will possess strong leadership and communications skills, and a track record in building philanthropic relationships with individual donors and prospects to achieve aggressive fundraising goals. Progressive fundraising experience, experience with diverse constituents, a drive to succeed, and ability to close major gifts should be demonstrated in your application. Candidates must have strong organizational skills, and the initiative and ability to work independently. Experience with complex higher education or a large cultural organization is preferred. The position is based in Washington, DC and reports to the Chief Advancement Officer.

Travel of up to 25% of the time is required.

Applicants who wish to qualify based on 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 your application being rejected and may also result in termination after employment begins. The Smithsonian Institution values and seeks a diverse workforce. Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."

To Apply: 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.

Applicants, who wish to qualify based on 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 your application being rejected and may also result in termination after employment begins.

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 oastaffing@si.edu

• 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
• We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: www.si.edu/oeema .
  
  

Founded in 1846, the Smithsonian is the world’s largest museum and research complex of 19 museums and galleries, the National Zoological Park and nine research facilities. There are 6,000 Smithsonian employees, including approximately 500 scientists. The total number of objects, works of art and specimens at the Smithsonian is estimated at nearly 137 million.