About Us

At a Glance | Museums | Research Centers | Education and Outreach

The Office of Human Resources (OHR) leads and supports the Smithsonian’s 19 museums and 9 research facilities in hiring, developing, and retaining a talented, dedicated and diverse workforce. OHR plays an essential role in enabling the Smithsonian’s mission to increase and diffuse knowledge as we provide organizational support services and expertise, conduct efficient and transparent processes and encourage, recognize, and reward best practices and excellence. We do this by being a knowledgeable, approachable, professional resource in providing quality services to our employees in the following areas:

Recruitment advisory and resources
Workforce planning
Employee compensation and benefits
Labor and employee relations
Training and development
Policy and performance
Employee assistance
Executive resources

Our continued success relies on strengthening our interagency and outside partnerships, promoting accountability, and increasing our flexibility to respond quickly to new opportunities and challenges.

Today's Smithsonian extends two traditions that have defined the Institution throughout its history: a tradition of public engagement, public service and public outreach, and a tradition of scientific and scholarly research and innovation. As the Smithsonian seeks to expand its connections with the American people it continues to build and challenge a workforce with an amazing diversity of skills. The Smithsonian’s mission is to provide the tens of millions of people who visit its museums, participate in public programs, read its magazines or engage it through the internet with an experience they will remember for a lifetime. You can help create the memories.