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Academic Version: Applying my personal experiences and academic research as a professor of Sociology and Asian American Studies to provide a more complete understanding of political, economic, and cultural issues and current events related to American race relations, and Asia/Asian America in particular.
Plain English: Trying to put my Ph.D. to good use.
Normally I include several Asian American-related job announcements into one post, but this one caught my eye as being a particularly important position, so I mention it here by itself.
Director of Asian Pacific American Program, Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is accepting applications and nominations for the position of
Director, Asian Pacific American Program (Announcement # EX-10-22). The closing date is November 1, 2010.
Given the increasing importance of Asian and Pacific heritage and innovation in today’s world and its global economy, the importance of the Pacific and Indian Oceans and their ecology, as well as the growth of the Asian American population and its influence in the United States, the Smithsonian requires a robust Asian & Pacific Islander American program in the coming years. To that end, the Smithsonian is in the midst of transforming its current Asian Pacific American Program into the Smithsonian Asian & Pacific Islander American Center.
The Director will lead the initiative to develop a Smithsonian Asian & Pacific Islander American Center at the Institution and nationally, building upon the foundation of the Smithsonian’s current Asian Pacific American Program. The Director will be responsible to work with and build collections, expand staff, create a national advisory board, and help formulate a new type of museum presence that takes full advantage of new media and the growth of Asian American and Pacific Islander American communities.
The Director has the primary responsibility to enhance public understanding of the heritage of Asian & Pacific Island Americans and their historical and contemporary contributions to the American experience, to world cultures, and to the study and appreciation of the natural world as articulated in the Smithsonian’s Strategic Plan “Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery.” The Director enables the Smithsonian Institution as a whole to appropriately represent Asian & Pacific Islander Americans in its research programs, collections, and educational and outreach activities, in its workforce, its advisory boards, and among fellows and interns.
Duties & Responsibilities
Advises and consults with the Secretary, the Under Secretary for History, Art, and Culture and other appropriate senior management officials on pan-Institutional programs and issues with respect to the representation of the diverse heritage of Asian & Pacific Islander Americans, their historical and ongoing contributions to the American experience, and connections to various other groups, communities and the nation as a whole. In this capacity, manages any pan-Institutional Asian & Pacific Islander American fund.
Directs the current Asian Pacific American Program and will direct the Smithsonian Asian & Pacific Islander American Center, with responsibility for its scholarly activities, exhibitions, educational and public programs, its on-online presence, the development and management of its staff, board, and volunteers, oversight and enhancement of its fiscal resources, and its consistency and compliance with Smithsonian policies, plans, and procedures.
Coordinates a distinguished advisory board of public officials, civic, business, philanthropic, and academic leaders with a view of supporting programs and initiatives and advancing the national interest in the representation of Asian & Pacific Islander American achievement in history, arts, culture, science and technology, in the context of the American experience and its connections to world cultures.
Develops and maintains scholarly and educational relations with other Smithsonian museums, research centers, consortia and programs, and seeks collaborative projects and activities that represent Asian & Pacific Islander American heritage and contributions to the American experience and relationship to other world cultures. Such may involve joint staff appointments, collaborative research, the acquisition of important artifactual, art, and documentary collections, exhibitions, educational and public programs, websites and publications, online and media products, community outreach, et al.
Promotes Institutional partnerships with museums, universities, educational consortia and community organizations. Develops strategies that identify and encourage increased Asian American and Pacific Islander American candidate pools for Smithsonian employment. Facilitates opportunities to train Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans in museum-related fields of study, in an effort to increase internships and fellowships in the museum profession.
Serves as primary liaison within the Smithsonian to Asian American and Pacific Islander American community groups, national organizations, scholarly and professional associations, academic departments and other organizations. Aids the Secretary, Under Secretary, and Office of Government Relations in representing Asian and Pacific Islander American activities, issues and needs at the Smithsonian to the Office of Management & Budget, the Regents, members and committees of Congress.
Builds public awareness of all of the Smithsonian’s Asian American and Pacific Islander American programs and activities, and works with the Office of Public Affairs as appropriate in order to do so.
Raises funds for the Center and its activities. Develops relationships with corporate and philanthropic sectors, encourages and applies for government and foundation grants so as to increase resources available for research and educational activities focused upon Asian American and Pacific Islander American heritage and contributions to the American experience. Works with the Office of Development as appropriate.
Maintains active scholarly or professional standing and reputation by conducting research, or publishing work, or making public presentations in the Asian American and Pacific Islander American fields.
Experience and Qualifications We Seek:
Knowledge of the historical, cultural, artistic, and scientific contributions of Asian American and Pacific Islander American communities and individuals with a broad inter- and trans-disciplinary perspective and an orientation that allows for the inclusion of diverse peoples and communities.
Experience and demonstrated results in presenting Asian American and Pacific Islander American contributions, themes and issues through scholarly research, public programming, exhibitions and /or publications with particular emphasis on reaching, interacting, and engaging with communities through new, digital social media, websites, and applications.
Demonstrated ability to connect Asian American and Pacific Islander American-related contributions, themes and issues to those of other Americans and peoples of the world.
Demonstrated entrepreneurial ability to build relationships and collaborate with Smithsonian museum and program directors and staff as well as external organizations to leverage support for and participation in programs.
Successful track record of raising funds from individuals, foundations, corporations and governmental organizations through gifts, grants and partnerships.
Communications and nimble social skills to represent the organization, its mission, vision, topical and content focus to Smithsonian directors and senior management, advisory groups, government officials and international dignitaries, community leaders, members, and civic groups and to the media.
Demonstrated skills for leading and managing a multi-disciplined and culturally diverse workforce, including fostering teamwork and high morale, attracting, retaining, and mentoring staff, fellows, interns and volunteers, and implementing EEO/Affirmative Action policies and programs.
How to Apply
E-mail your resume and cover letter indicating your interest in position # EX-10-22 to:
Tom Lawrence
Office of Human Resources
202-633-6319
lawrencet@si.edu
Applications must be received by the closing date.
This a senior Smithsonian Trust position. Salary range is based on a comprehensive market survey of positions with similar authority and scope of responsibilities. The individual selected for this position is subject to a full-field background investigation and will be required to file a confidential statement of employment and financial interests.
The Smithsonian provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for the application/hiring process, please call (202) 633-6370 (voice) or (202) 633-6409 (TTY).
