Management Support Assistant for Travel & Purchasing, IS-0303-07

Application deadline: 18 September 2026. Department: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. Location: Edgewater, MD. This announcement will close upon receipt of 300 applications, which may occur before the stated closing date. Open to all qualified applicants eligible to work in the United States.

About the role

The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) is a leading research unit of the Smithsonian Institution dedicated to advancing environmental science and education. Situated on a 2,650-acre campus, SERC serves as a living laboratory for long-term ecosystem research across forests, agricultural lands, wetlands, shorelines, and estuaries. Located in a semi-rural setting within convenient commuting distance of Annapolis, Baltimore, and Washington, DC, SERC is home to a vibrant community of more than 200 staff members, including scientists, administrators, educators, technicians, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate and undergraduate researchers.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting travel coordination and purchasing operations for the Center.

• Travel management (70%):
  • Daily use of ConcurGov travel system for travel management
  • Provide travel management support to SERC staff and invitational travelers, including international travelers
  • Prepare and review travel authorizations, vouchers, and local vouchers
  • Monitor payment of vouchers and ensure all payment/funding discrepancies are resolved
  • Assist in training new staff in best practices and expectations for travel planning and voucher submissions
  • Provide support to staff on the use of Government Travel Charge Cards, including briefing personnel on the proper use
  • Provide updates to SERC administration on travel expenditures and travel frequency
• Procurement/purchasing (30%):
  • Prepare and process purchase card transactions, purchase orders and contracts as assigned by supervisor
  • Assist in preparing and organizing procurement documentation, including statements of work, request for proposals, vendor enrollment
  • Assist with monthly review and reconciliation of transactions by purchase card users to ensure accuracy and compliance with Smithsonian policy and regulations

Requirements

• Associates degree or higher
• Familiarity with travel authorization, voucher processing, travel documentation requirements and professional procurement processes is preferred but not required
• Experience with Concur and/or other travel management systems and/or PeopleSoft financial software is preferred but not required
• Strong time management and organizational skills
• Significant experience with Microsoft Suite, especially MS Excel
• Strong customer service, communication and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and to prioritize tasks according to schedule and importance
• Strong self-motivation and ability to work independently

Candidates must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. Pre-employment background check and subsequent background investigation required. Must maintain a bank account for direct deposit/electronic transfer.

Benefits

• 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)

Pay

$57,736 / year

Schedule

Full Time. Trust Fund position (paid from Smithsonian endowment, revenue, donations, grants, and contracts; not part of the civil service).