Human Resources Specialist (Liaison), IS-0343-11
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
Edgewater, Anne Arundel / Maryland
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JOB DETAILS
SALARY
$85,447–$111,087 Per Year
LOCATION
Edgewater, Anne Arundel / Maryland
POSTED
6 days ago
Description
OPEN DATE: March 26, 2026
CLOSING DATE: April 24, 2026 * This announcement will close once 300 applications have been received, which may occur prior to the listed closing date *.
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Indefinite
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Edgewater, Maryland
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
ABOUT SERC
SERC is a unit of the Smithsonian Institution that is dedicated to environmental research, education and public engagement. The 2,650-acre campus includes forests, farmlands and wetlands, 15 miles of shoreline, and 10+ miles of walking trails. Located in Edgewater, Maryland, SERC is only 25 miles from Washington, D.C., and only 5 miles from Annapolis.
The SERC campus is a showcase of sustainability including including 7 LEED Platinum buildings and renewable energy systems. Staff includes 150 employees. There are over 40 resident interns throughout the year and over 500 volunteers and citizen scientists who support diverse programs. A 40-person, centrally managed maintenance and security staff are on site. SERC receives over 22,000 visitors annually, including 6,000 school children on field trips. For more details about SERC visit our website at https://serc.si.edu/.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The position will serve as the SERC Human Resources officer and chief HR liaison with the Smithsonian Office of Human Resources by performing human resources administration functions and analyses, serving as head timekeeper, conducting orientation for new employees, helping to train supervisors, and assisting SERC leadership with personnel matters. This position is responsible for overseeing both Federal and non-federal (Trust) hiring processes, ensuring consistency, efficiency, and compliance across categories of employment.
- Advise SERC leadership on workforce planning, personnel matters, and organizational initiatives
- Provide regular reporting to SERC leadership on HR processes, and metrics
- Attend and participate in trainings and meetings with Smithsonian central Officer of Human Resources
- Represent SERC on Smithsonian wide efforts to improve HR policies and practices.
- Make improvements in efficiency, communications, and support for all HR processes across SERC
- Help to ensure compliance with federal law, Smithsonian policy, and SERC's research mission
- Ensure HR systems accuracy, consistent policy application, and functional database integrity across the unit
- Manage recruitment activities, development of position descriptions, and onboarding for both Federal and non-Federal (Trust) positions
- Submit requests for personnel actions, recruitments, promotions, awards, change in appointment, etc... to central Smithsonian Office of Human Resources
- Partner with hiring managers to provide smooth and efficient hiring, providing technical advice on staffing strategies for scientific and technical positions
- Deliver training, briefings, and communications on HR policies for staff and supervisors.
- Monitor employee training compliance and performance appraisals by supervisors, updating SERC leadership on metrics
- Serve as liaison with the Smithsonian’s Office of Global Affairs for visa related issues for international personnel
- Advise managers and employees on visa eligibility, restrictions, and compliance requirements.
- Oversee HR recordkeeping and ensure confidentiality, data security, and regulatory compliance.
- Use workforce data and HR analytics to inform decision-making on staffing, retention, compensation, and organizational effectiveness.
- Engage with colleagues in the Smithsonian’s Office of General Counsel, Office of Human Resources to help ensure SERC maintains compliance and engagement with Federal Laws, Smithsonian Directives, and other related policies and procedures.
- Maintains accurate records of time worked by employees
Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Candidates must possess specialized experience in similar positions, such as demonstrated skill in implementing HR policies and procedures across multiple areas, such as recruitment, position classification, and employee relations,
- Knowledge of HR principles, concepts, and regulations across classification, recruitment, employee relations, compensation, performance management, training, and HR systems.
- Understanding of or ability to learn about scientific research operations, with the ability to align HR policies and practices to support SERC research goals.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain, advocate, and implement new practices or policies
- Ability to establish and sustain collegial relationships and trust with all employees.
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 coyleb@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 provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact coyleb@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
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