Audiovisual Production Specialist
Smithsonian Institution
Posted: April 3, 2026 (0 days ago)
This job was posted recently. Fresh listings typically have less competition.
Senate
Legislative Branch
Location
Washington, District of Columbia
Salary
$130,469 - $181,570
per year
Type
Full-Time
More Production & Operations jobs →Closes
Base salary range: $147,649 - $221,900
Typical requirements: Executive-level leadership experience. Senior executive qualifications required.
Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).
This role involves overseeing printing, bindery, and mailing operations for the U.S. Senate, ensuring high-quality production while managing staff, budgets, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
A good fit would be someone with extensive experience leading similar operations, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to build relationships with government staff and vendors.
It's ideal for a detail-oriented leader who thrives under pressure and understands regulatory compliance.
The Senate Sergeant at Arms is seeking a Production Manager. The complete vacancy announcement and application can be found on the United States Senate Career Page at https://sen.gov/1VNZQ.
This vacancy announcement closes at 7pm EST on the closing date. Late applications will not be accepted. Other Duties/ Responsibilities Serves as Operations Manager in his/her absence.
Required Work Experience Eight years of experience, including at least three years of experience managing a comparably sized printing operation or general services department.
Required Special Skills/ Knowledge As part of our hiring process, we may conduct a skills assessment to better understand an applicant’s proficiency in key areas relevant to the role.
In-depth knowledge of printing and bindery methods, enabling effective planning and management of production workflows to ensure high-quality output.
Strong troubleshooting skills to quickly identify and resolve issues related to production processes, materials, and workflow bottlenecks, minimizing delays and maintaining quality standards.
Knowledge of, or ability to learn, departmental rules, regulations, procedures and functions, including policies and regulations set by the Senate Rules Committee and the Senate Committee on Ethics.
Knowledge of, or ability to learn, PGDM production and work order entry system. Knowledge of, or ability to learn, USPS mailing regulations.
Knowledge of equipment, computers and relevant software/Web applications, and spreadsheets and databases.
Ability to schedule equipment, personnel, and services requirements to ensure customer requirements are met. Knowledge of all aspects of managing printing/mailing or publishing operations.
Ability to supervise, plan, coordinate, assign, direct and evaluate the work of production professional, and managerial staff. Ability to formulate and manage a large budget.
Ability to conduct research and accurately prepare and process a variety of executive reports, records and documents.
Ability to allocate resources effectively to meet productivity and organizational goals and objectives.
Ability to manage multiple responsibilities and adhere to strict deadlines in a fast-paced environment to meet productivity and organizational goals and objectives.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Senate office and committee staffs, the public, and SAA directors, managers, supervisors, and subordinates.
Ability to communicate effectively. Desired Qualifications Experience with supervising, training, evaluating and discipline of staff members.
Ability to delegate assignments and manage projects in a timely manner.
Experience in writing and conducting employee performance evaluations, providing positive and constructive feedback, and implementing performance improvement plans to foster a positive and productive work environment.
Ability to manage overall operations and is responsible for the safety, efficient, and successful management of staff, productivity, and production quality as established by PGDM.
Ability to create and manage efficient staff rotation schedules across multiple print facilities to ensure seamless production continuity and optimize workforce utilization.
Experience managing production schedules, quality control, and inventory management.
Knowledge of the practical application of technologies used in the printing industry to include the principles, techniques, procedures, and knowledge of print production processes including Prepress, Offset Press Operations, Digital Operations, Finishing Operations, Direct Mail, Wide Format Printing, fulfillment, and delivery.
In-depth knowledge of printing styles and imposition techniques, including work and turn, work and tumble, sheetwise, and perfecting, to optimize material usage and production efficiency.
Comprehensive knowledge of USPS regulations to ensure compliance and streamline mailing processes for print materials.
Ability to multitask and adapt to changing priorities, with a detail-oriented approach and the capacity to quickly learn and pivot in line with departmental initiatives and directives.
The ideal candidate will be adept at establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with internal customers, external vendors, and resources. Bachelor's degree preferred.
Working Conditions Since this position requires onsite presence in support of the U.S.
Senate when in session, this position requires the employee to be available and prepared to work during a lapse, in inclement weather, on holidays, and during late night, overnight, and weekend sessions.
In the context of government furloughs, this position is considered excepted. This position directly supports essential services of the U.S. Senate.
As such, this position requires the employee be available and prepared to work during a lapse, in inclement weather, on holidays, weekends, and during late nights to ensure essential services to the Senate continue without interruption.
In the context of government furloughs, this position is considered excepted. The U.S. Senate network cannot be taken offline for maintenance during the workday, or while the Senate is in session.
As such, maintenance windows may only occur at night, on weekends, and occasionally on holidays.
Employees who perform systems upgrades, maintenance, wiring, backups, support our alternate data centers will have schedules that include working nights, weekends, and holidays.
Must be able to remain in a stationary position to operate a computer and other office productivity machinery.
The person in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office to confer with customers and staff. Frequently moves boxes/ equipment weighing less than 50 pounds for various needs.
This position may require the incumbent to be available for sudden recall in response to emergency events affecting the Senate campus/community, which may include after-hour or weekend work, and to potentially deploy to alternate sites in support of the Senate’s contingency operations.
Major Duties:
Leads and directs section employees through supervisors, ensuring compliance with policies.
Oversee all personnel matters, including performance evaluations, hiring and promotion recommendations, disciplinary actions, and staff training and development.
Contributes to short- and long-term planning for staffing, equipment, and maintenance, and ensure effective implementation to maintain uninterrupted services.
Researches and recommends technologies supporting printing, mailing, publishing, logistics, and record-keeping functions.
Advises on technology direction, manage major technical projects, and oversee service enhancements.
Develops and monitors the department’s operating budget, analyzes financial reports, and manages procurement activities.
Ensures materials, equipment, staffing, and resources are properly planned and aligned to meet job specifications, production schedules, quality standards, and delivery commitments for print and mailing projects.
Other duties, as assigned.
Check your resume before applying to catch common mistakes