Smithsonian Institution Visa Sponsorship Jobs USA
The Smithsonian Institution is a world-renowned complex of museums, research centers, and cultural programs that occasionally sponsors work visas for specialized roles. It's a selective sponsor, making it a compelling but competitive target for international job seekers in research, education, and cultural heritage fields.
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Conservator, IS-1001-11
Please note: the page you are viewing is for internal candidates only.
OPEN DATE: June 25, 2026
CLOSING DATE: June 30, 2026
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Indefinite
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Chantilly, VA
Position sensitivity and risk:
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Who May Apply:
SI Only
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 National Air and Space Museum (NASM), Conservation Unit, is seeking to fill a museum conservator position with a specialty in textiles. We are seeking individuals with a diverse range of material experience and skills to support the examination, documentation, and treatment of a variety of textile objects in the NASM collection. The collection features artifacts from the 18th century to the present and represents a full range of historic, textile materials relating to the history of aviation and space exploration.
The Emil Buehler Conservation Laboratory has a range of testing and analytical capabilities and partners with other Smithsonian museums to enable access to a wide variety of analytical equipment.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This position will work with curators, conservators, and exhibition teams on the care and display of textiles and related component materials, while participating in an active exhibition and rotation schedule. The candidate should be self-motivated and willing to work independently, or in a team environment. Individuals should be able to clearly communicate verbally and in writing to complete documentation on each object and convey technical information. Knowledge of current museum and conservation practices and methodologies is required.
- Specifies preservation and archival quality materials to use in exhibitions, transport, handling, and storage of artifacts.
- Identifies and shares exhibition guidelines regarding textile display to include exhibition environmental parameters, mount and case specifications, and provides support for team and special projects.
- Reviews exhibition parameters and standard facility reports, mounts, design technical drawings, or case specifications for exhibit, display, and loan, while providing solutions to the registrars, exhibition team, and curators.
- Experience in creating mannequins and textile mounts for safe display and presentation, and provides designers and exhibition planners, with alternatives and options to achieve exhibition goals while keeping preservation of the collection paramount.
- Responsible for independently designing, proposing, documenting, and completing appropriate conservation treatments on a wide variety of textile materials within the NASM collection.
- Applies conservation treatments using chemical solvents, resins, and adhesives in accordance with prescribed treatment plans and established procedures.
- Produce timely written treatment proposals and condition reports corresponding to textile conservation treatments for a wide range of materials and condition issues.
- Perform technical examination and analysis of textile materials to assess condition issues and propose and execute appropriate conservation, preservation methods, and procedures in consultation with curators to meet project timelines.
- Knowledge of laboratory safety within museums and a conservation laboratory setting is required.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Education (if positive education is required) and Experience:
The ideal candidate will have completed graduate level training in museum conservation, with a specialty in textiles. Skills in materials science, conservation treatment, chemistry, or related subjects in addition to digital photography and technical writing are required. Professional status in the American Institute for Conservation or working toward this level is desired. Qualifications will need to be met at the IS-1001-11 level.
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.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
June 30, 2026
DEPARTMENT
National Air and Space Museum
EMPLOYMENT TYPE
Full Time
LOCATION
Chantilly, VA
WORKPLACE TYPE
Onsite
COMPENSATION
$85,447 - $96,843 / year
REPORTING TO
Supervisory Conservator
INTRODUCTION
Conservator, IS-1001-11
Please note: the page you are viewing is for internal candidates only.
OPEN DATE: June 25, 2026
CLOSING DATE: June 30, 2026
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Indefinite
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Chantilly, VA
Position sensitivity and risk:
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Who May Apply:
SI Only
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 National Air and Space Museum (NASM), Conservation Unit, is seeking to fill a museum conservator position with a specialty in textiles. We are seeking individuals with a diverse range of material experience and skills to support the examination, documentation, and treatment of a variety of textile objects in the NASM collection. The collection features artifacts from the 18th century to the present and represents a full range of historic, textile materials relating to the history of aviation and space exploration.
The Emil Buehler Conservation Laboratory has a range of testing and analytical capabilities and partners with other Smithsonian museums to enable access to a wide variety of analytical equipment.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This position will work with curators, conservators, and exhibition teams on the care and display of textiles and related component materials, while participating in an active exhibition and rotation schedule. The candidate should be self-motivated and willing to work independently, or in a team environment. Individuals should be able to clearly communicate verbally and in writing to complete documentation on each object and convey technical information. Knowledge of current museum and conservation practices and methodologies is required.
- Specifies preservation and archival quality materials to use in exhibitions, transport, handling, and storage of artifacts.
- Identifies and shares exhibition guidelines regarding textile display to include exhibition environmental parameters, mount and case specifications, and provides support for team and special projects.
- Reviews exhibition parameters and standard facility reports, mounts, design technical drawings, or case specifications for exhibit, display, and loan, while providing solutions to the registrars, exhibition team, and curators.
- Experience in creating mannequins and textile mounts for safe display and presentation, and provides designers and exhibition planners, with alternatives and options to achieve exhibition goals while keeping preservation of the collection paramount.
- Responsible for independently designing, proposing, documenting, and completing appropriate conservation treatments on a wide variety of textile materials within the NASM collection.
- Applies conservation treatments using chemical solvents, resins, and adhesives in accordance with prescribed treatment plans and established procedures.
- Produce timely written treatment proposals and condition reports corresponding to textile conservation treatments for a wide range of materials and condition issues.
- Perform technical examination and analysis of textile materials to assess condition issues and propose and execute appropriate conservation, preservation methods, and procedures in consultation with curators to meet project timelines.
- Knowledge of laboratory safety within museums and a conservation laboratory setting is required.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Education (if positive education is required) and Experience:
The ideal candidate will have completed graduate level training in museum conservation, with a specialty in textiles. Skills in materials science, conservation treatment, chemistry, or related subjects in addition to digital photography and technical writing are required. Professional status in the American Institute for Conservation or working toward this level is desired. Qualifications will need to be met at the IS-1001-11 level.
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.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
June 30, 2026
DEPARTMENT
National Air and Space Museum
EMPLOYMENT TYPE
Full Time
LOCATION
Chantilly, VA
WORKPLACE TYPE
Onsite
COMPENSATION
$85,447 - $96,843 / year
REPORTING TO
Supervisory Conservator
Job Roles at Smithsonian Institution
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Smithsonian Institution Visa Sponsorship Jobs USA
Target Research and Curatorial Roles
Smithsonian's sponsorship activity is concentrated in specialized academic and research positions. Focus your applications on curatorial, scientific, and program roles where niche expertise is harder to source domestically and sponsorship is more likely to be considered.
Understand Which Visa Types They Support
Smithsonian sponsors H-1B, TN, J-1, and F-1 OPT and CPT visas. If you're on OPT or CPT, your student work authorization can be a strong entry point before transitioning to a longer-term sponsored visa category.
Leverage J-1 Exchange Visitor Programs
Smithsonian actively uses the J-1 visa for exchange and fellowship programs. If you're early in your career, a J-1 fellowship can serve as a genuine pathway into the institution and build relationships that support future H-1B sponsorship.
Apply Through Official Channels Early
Smithsonian is a federal institution with structured hiring timelines tied to its academic and museum calendar. Submit applications well before posted deadlines, late applications rarely make it through its formal review process in time for visa processing.
Frame Your Expertise Around Mission-Critical Needs
Smithsonian sponsors when a candidate's skills are genuinely hard to replicate locally. Emphasize highly specialized knowledge in your field, whether in conservation, natural history, cultural studies, or scientific research, to make the sponsorship case clear to hiring managers.
Find Sponsoring Roles Before You Apply
Not every Smithsonian job listing signals sponsorship willingness. Use Migrate Mate to filter for verified sponsoring employers in hospitality and cultural institutions so you're targeting roles where international candidates are already being hired.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Smithsonian Institution sponsor H-1B visas?
Yes, Smithsonian Institution does sponsor H-1B visas. Sponsorship is selective and tends to be focused on specialized roles in research, curatorial work, and academic programs where the institution needs expertise that's difficult to source locally. It's not among the highest-volume sponsors, so competition for sponsored roles is meaningful, and applicants should target positions that closely match their specialized background.
What visa types does Smithsonian Institution sponsor?
Smithsonian sponsors H-1B, TN visa, J-1 visa, F-1 OPT, and F-1 CPT visas. The J-1 visa is particularly relevant given the institution's extensive fellowship and exchange programs. F-1 OPT and CPT are accessible entry points for current students, while H-1B and TN visa sponsorship is reserved for full-time professional roles requiring specialized qualifications in fields aligned with Smithsonian's research and cultural mission.
Which departments or roles at Smithsonian Institution are most likely to offer visa sponsorship?
Sponsorship at Smithsonian tends to concentrate in research, curatorial, conservation, and scientific program roles across its museums and research centers. Positions requiring deep domain expertise, such as natural history, astrophysics, cultural anthropology, or archival science, are more likely to involve sponsorship than general administrative or operational roles. Academic and fellowship programs under the J-1 category are another consistent area of international hiring.
How do I find open jobs at Smithsonian Institution that offer visa sponsorship?
Migrate Mate is the most direct way to identify Smithsonian roles where visa sponsorship is a realistic outcome. Rather than sifting through general job boards where sponsorship willingness is unclear, Migrate Mate surfaces employers with a verified sponsorship track record so you can focus your applications on positions where international candidates are actively being hired. Filter by visa type to match your current status.
How do I approach the application timeline at Smithsonian Institution as an international candidate?
Smithsonian follows a structured, institution-driven hiring process. If you're targeting H-1B sponsorship, be aware that USCIS H-1B cap petitions must be filed in early April for an October 1 start date, meaning your hiring process typically needs to conclude by February or March. J-1 and OPT timelines are more flexible. Start outreach and applications at least three to four months ahead of your target start date to give the institution's HR and legal teams adequate preparation time.