Smithsonian Ambassador Program

The Smithsonian Institution (SI) is the largest museum and research complex in the world consisting of 19 museums, the National Zoological Park, 13 gardens, 9 research centers, and many other facilities. While most of these facilities are in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan areas, some are in New York City, Cambridge, MA, Fort Pierce, FL, and Panama.

Program Overview

Smithsonian Ambassadors assist visitors in navigating the Smithsonian by meeting them where they are, outside roving the National Mall. The core mission of the Ambassador program is to make connections between visitors and the Smithsonian, promoting Institutional initiatives and striving to help every visitor they meet have the best experience possible.

Volunteer Duties

Smithsonian Ambassadors are located outdoors on the National Mall. With a mobile cart serving as their home base, they alternate between roving the Mall and being stationed at the cart. Ambassadors engage with visitors, answer their questions, and orientate them to the Smithsonian. Being a Smithsonian Ambassador is a great opportunity for someone who is enthusiastic about working with the public and sharing their excitement for discovering the Smithsonian in an outdoor setting.

Location

Shifts for this opportunity will take place entirely outside on the National Mall, with the mobile cart serving as a home base.

Pre-shift briefings will be held at the Office of Visitor Services, located at:

Ripley Center, 1100 Jefferson Drive SW, Suite 3150, Washington, D.C. 20560.

Required Skills, Abilities & Qualifications

• Comfortable operating outdoors, except during extreme weather events.
• Ability to rove for long periods of time.
• Ability to maneuver a mobile cart over uneven terrain along the National Mall; accommodations available upon request.
• Flexibility and enthusiasm in an ever-changing environment.
• Excellent verbal communication skills.
• Ability and desire to interact with people of all ages and backgrounds, and with a wide variety of needs.
• Successfully operate as part of a team and independently.
• Comfortable with using a smart phone and doing basic internet research.
• Effectively use Smithsonian technology to support visitor needs and volunteer administrative requirements (i.e. signing up for volunteer shifts, trainings, etc.).
• Be 18 years or older.
• Must clear a federal background check, initiated through the Smithsonian.

Schedule Requirements

Smithsonian Ambassador candidates must be able to commit to the program for at least one season, which lasts from March 17th to November 28th, 2026. Weekday volunteers are expected to serve at least 30 shifts per season and weekend volunteers will be expected to serve at least 15 shifts per season. There will be a morning and afternoon shift, each of which will be 3 hours long.

Ambassadors are required to wear a provided uniform while performing their duties. Ambassadors are expected to stay up to date on current Smithsonian offerings and actively participate in program development. To that end, participation in continuing education and enrichment opportunities will be required as they are announced and scheduled.

Training

New Smithsonian Ambassadors are required to complete pre-training tasks and attend all training sessions, which may take place both in-person and online. Training sessions include Smithsonian history and composition, volunteer resources, and visitor engagement. Returning Ambassadors are required to complete training at the beginning of each season.