Virtual Explainer (Remote Museum Aid)

Application Deadline: 10 March 2026

Department: National Air and Space Museum

Location: Washington, DC

Compensation: $19.48 / hour

Description

OPEN DATE: February 23, 2026
CLOSING DATE: March 10, 2026 * Please note that the announcement may close prior to the posted closing date if the applicant limit of 200 is reached. *
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: NTE - 1-year
SCHEDULE: Intermittent
DUTY LOCATION: Remote


Position sensitivity and risk: Non/Sensitive (NS)/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.
• Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
  
  

OVERVIEW

The Virtual Explainers present live, virtual demonstrations to audiences on behalf of the National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution. The position is in the Museum's Education Department under the supervision of the Gallery Programs Manager.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Virtual Explainers present demonstrations that explain various scientific principles and concepts related to topics in aeronautics and space flight and exploration. Our dynamic portfolio of virtual visitor experiences includes a digital planetarium show and a story time program for kindergarten through 2nd grade participants.
• Virtual Explainers also assist with developing new virtual programs.

Virtual Explainers are scheduled for shifts Monday- Saturday, between the hours of 9am- 5pm. Hours are flexible according to your academic schedule.



QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Education (if positive education is required) and Experience:

To be an Explainer, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Currently be enrolled in a degree-granting program
• Maintain a 2.7 GPA
• Provide availability for a minimum of two shifts per week. Shifts are three hours long, either morning (9 AM -12 PM ET), afternoon (12 PM - 3 PM ET), and Evening (3 PM - 6 PM ET), Monday through Friday.
• Be able to commit to, at minimum, 12-months of work with the program
• Be able to engage diverse audiences in a virtual classroom setting
• Have good written and oral communication skills
• Have consistent access to a robust internet connection, quiet work environment, reliable computer, webcam, and microphone
• Be willing to attend ongoing virtual trainings and proactively engage in self-study on topics related to aeronautics and space science
  
  

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 NASM-HR@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. To review The Smithsonian's EEO program information, please click the following: https://www.si.edu/oeo