Exhibits Specialist (Cost Estimating) IS-1010-12

Position sensitivity and risk: Non-Sensitive/Low Risk

Open to SI only applicants

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).

This position is located organizationally in Smithsonian Institution Exhibits (SIE), Office of the Under Secretary for Museums & Culture, Smithsonian Institution (SI).

SIE is the SI-wide resource for exhibit planning, design and production. SIE provides expertise and support to all public-facing exhibit functions within SI museums, research centers and offices. This position provides comprehensive and objectively-based information for making decisions on the administrative and programmatic aspects of unit operations. The incumbent manages projects requiring expert level knowledge in:

… in all phases of exhibition development, design and production.

Evaluation and Analysis (30%)

Independently develops descriptive, diagnostic and predictive analytic products that provide valid and accurate information that informs decision making by the SIE Exhibits Production Management Team. Applies qualitative and quantitative analytical techniques which frequently require complex modification to fit a wide range of variables; refines existing work methods, materials and techniques to analyze specific issues and resolve problems. Develops and proposes procedures and controls to track production staffing metrics, stakeholder engagement data, organizational performance and impact metrics.

Completes reports and provides recommendations that influence decisions by SIE management, stakeholders and project managers. Studies, analyzes and makes recommendations concerning the cost, efficiency and productivity of administration, operation and performance of strategic initiatives and projects. Establishes criteria to measure the achievement level of projects and/or organizational goals and objectives. Identifies and develops ways to resolve problems and address issues or conflicts which directly affect the accomplishment of SIE’s strategic goals. Reviews production process effectiveness related to the delivery of projects at the operating level that affect other organizational units within and outside of SI.

Evaluates relevant organizational data to determine effectiveness and to suggest improvements. Provides issues/project analysis and makes recommendations concerning new/revised activities and operations. Supports assessment of SI’s workplace environment and audience engagement to carry out goals, priorities and follow-up actions to enhance workplace satisfaction.

Reviews, analyzes and estimates projects and administrative standard policies and directives within SI and SIE to ensure the effectiveness in achieving organizational objectives. Drafts policies using best practices and recommends appropriate changes and corrective actions to the supervisor and SIE senior management. In addition, the incumbent provides supervisor with evaluative material needed for effective direction of projects.

Cost Estimation (30%)

Develops cost estimates for and analyses of projects. Performs cost/benefit and economic evaluations of current and projected projects. Engages expert consultants throughout the evaluation lifecycle as part of technical work groups, expert groups and peer reviews. Provides clear communication of SIE intentions for project cost estimating with SI and SIE Managers and stakeholders through sharing resource/industry knowledge as it impacts projected costs/revenue. Analyzes and evaluates – on a quantitative and qualitative basis – the effectiveness of program operations or policies in meeting established goals and objectives by analyzing and evaluating functions and activities being considered for contracts.

Advises SIE management, project managers and all stakeholders on product availability and required lead-time to obtain materials, assisting all staff in identifying long lead-time materials. Finalizes contracts using a comprehensive knowledge of service contracting requirements and scheduling. Monitors and analyzes overall capacity commitment and impact on project production and budget. Assists SIE supervisors with tracking commitment of SIE staff hours. Alerts supervisors of potential scheduling, capacity and project estimate issues.

Serves as a resource for supervisors and production staff on production solutions and impact on SIE cost estimates during all phases of project development, design and production.

Data Visualization and Reporting (20%)

Communicates findings, conclusions and recommendations to SIE management and other decision makers in non-technical, accessible language; creates data visualization to advance the understanding of the information and insights presented. Prepares and drafts summary reports for diverse audiences and all levels of institutional and unit leadership to support implementation of management, operational and production functions.

Develops and deploys dashboards to communicate unit resource utilization toward organizational and audience goals and metrics. Proactively researches project costs for materials and contracted services. Collects costing data and uses software applications to develop and maintain SIE’s “Materials and Finishes Library” for use by SIE staff and clients. Maintains library of recent costs of frequently used materials as well as the production costs of private sector vendors to advise on estimates and approaches.

Research, Project Production and Management (15%)

Conducts complex research and provides analysis to support the SIE management team, Project Managers and staff in the development, implementation, and optimization of project production performance measurement efforts.

Applies understanding of data analysis and technology to design sound studies that evaluate organizational performance and audience engagement related to pan-institutional strategic goals and provide actionable insight.

Develops and recommends management and/or production evaluation plans, procedures, and methodologies to ascertain effectiveness; supports preparation of project parameters and provides administrative management recommendations that may be needed to align best with project need, budget, timeline, and deliverables.

Interfaces with institutional staff at all levels to define project requirements, ensure projects are executed correctly, and resolve all issues leading to the efficient and effective execution of project deliverables.

Conducts independent research relating to a range of problems and needs identified by leadership aimed at clarifying substantive issues; projects involve managerial review, large and complex organizational issues, and improvements in efficiency and effectiveness. Supports and facilitates the analysis of data; measures costs, integrity and accuracy for defined variables; provides guidance into data analysis and survey methodology; and performs work to create finished products that contributes to data-driven decision making.

Executes research, planning, and management tasks in accordance with project management best practices. Keeps leadership informed about the status of projects and is responsible for implementing work on time and on budget.

Data Collection (5%)

Provides expertise in data collection and analysis techniques to best support the business and organizational goals of the Smithsonian and the execution of SIE projects.

Validates data integrity and reliability by reviewing draft methodologies. Incumbent associates data with explainable methodologies that bring clarity to its use and purpose in analysis of institutional programs and resources.

Assesses data collected in existing systems for accuracy and reliability, identifies issues, and suggests improvements, independently conducting workshops, focus sessions, and individual sessions as required.

Develops monitoring and evaluation procedures to obtain data upon which decisions for changing strategies can be made. Supports all SIE departments in design of survey methodologies and execution of data collection, including defining sampling frames, developing questionnaires, and the technical design and production of data collection forms to gather appropriate data to inform decision-making.

Applies extensive knowledge of software/systems for data collection and analysis which may include AWS, Tableau, Qualtrics, SPSS, Excel. Supports development and implementation of data governance policies, standards, and procedures.

Performs other duties as assigned.

OTHER IMPORTANT FACTS

Requires availability for occasional travel.

Education and Experience: To qualify for this position, applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from an accredited four-year college or university and/or 3-5 years of related experience (described below); or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

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 Hillh@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