Parking Associate (IS-0303-05)
Smithsonian Institution
Chantilly, VA, USA
USD 46,610-52,825 / year
Posted on Mar 5, 2026
OPEN DATE: March 5, 2026
CLOSING DATE: March 19, 2026 (This job will close once 100 applications are received which may be sooner than the closing date.)
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Indefinite
SCHEDULE: Part Time
Open to all Qualified Applicants
What are Trust Fund Positions?
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.
- Application Deadline
- March 19, 2026
- Department
- National Air and Space Museum
- Employment Type
- Part Time
- Location
- Chantilly, VA
- Workplace type
- Onsite
- Compensation
- $46,610 - $52,825 / year
- Reporting To
- Parking Operations Manager
OVERVIEW
This position is within the Business Operations Unit, National Air and Space Museum (NASM), Smithsonian Institution (SI). The NASM is a center for research into the history and science of aviation and spaceflight, as well as planetary science and terrestrial geology and geophysics. Over 9 million people per year visit the NASM in the National Mall Building and the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center (UHC) in Chantilly, Virginia. The Museum is comprised of six major departments headed by an executive team. There are approximately 280 full-time employees and 90 part-time employees. The annual operating budget is approximately 35 million dollars, plus an additional $250 million being raised to support Transformation efforts to reimagine all display and common areas in the National Air and Space Museum in the National Mall Building.
The incumbent serves as a Parking Associate and is responsible for providing support and assistance to ensure the effective and efficient operation of a parking facility. The Parking Associate focuses on customers, transactions, and procedures of a high volume, fast paced parking location. This position is functionally based at the Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.
The incumbent serves as a Parking Associate and is responsible for providing support and assistance to ensure the effective and efficient operation of a parking facility. The Parking Associate focuses on customers, transactions, and procedures of a high volume, fast paced parking location. This position is functionally based at the Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Operations
- Assists with the day-to-day operations of the parking facility. Ensures effective and safe entrance and exit of vehicles through parking gates. Independently and accurately operate a POS cash register.
- Accurately collects both credit and cash parking charges from customers and returning correct change and receipts. Communicates cash overages or shortages to the Supervisor.
- Works in a highly effective team environment with other Associates and Supervisors.
- Communicates and collaborates with visitor services, store, IT and other museum staff.
- Document opening and closing till amounts.
- Adheres to SOP’s surrounding cash handling, opening and closing duties. Abides by uniform standards and dress codes.
- Patrols parking areas and reports safety concerns or hazards to security. Provides traffic control as needed (rarely).
- Assists in removal of snow and ice from vehicle entry lanes as needed (rarely).
- Completes and submits a written report of accident damage to vehicle or equipment malfunction (rarely).
Customer Service
- Provides friendly customer service and direction to customers entering and exiting the parking facility. Discussion of museum experience, if visitor shows interest, ask about visit that day, and offers that they should return soon.
- Directs customers to ensure smooth traffic flow throughout parking lot.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
- Knowledge of the practices, methods and processes of the day-to-day operations of a parking program in order to provide support and assistance to the Business Operations Unit.
- Basic knowledge of funds control procedures and the operation of a cash register, including the ability to maintain accurate cash accountability records.
- Ability to investigate and reconcile discrepancies relating to such items as receipt control, parking charge issues, or safety concerns.
- Ability to work with others and provide high-quality and efficient customer service to meet customer needs.
- Skill in oral communications in order to identify sources of problems, solicit information, and deal with a variety of situations with diplomacy and tact.
Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.
The Smithsonian Institution values and seeks a diverse workforce. 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 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. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: https://www.si.edu/oeesd.
About Smithsonian Institution
Founded in 1846, the Smithsonian is the world’s largest museum and research complex of 21 museums and galleries, the National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, and 14 education and research facilities. There are more than 6,500 Smithsonian employees, including approximately 500 scientists. The total number of objects, works of art and specimens at the Smithsonian is estimated at more than 157 million.
Our Hiring Process
Stage 1:
Applied
Stage 2:
Qualifications Review
Stage 3:
Phone Screen
Stage 4:
First Interview