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Facility Management Internships
HANDBOOK
2015 Edition
This handbook is written by OFMR Interns for OFMR Interns!
Table of Contents
Topic
Greetings from the OFMR Director and the
Associate Director of Organizational Development
Welcome from a Fellow Intern
Meet the Team
Fill in the blank
Getting your SI Badge ID
Identification List for Security
Your Supervisor
Project Outcomes
Stipends & Tax Information
Addressing Problems
What to do, what to do?
Procedures & Regulations
Social Media Expectations
Using SI Computers
After Your Internship
Professional Development
Events to Note
DC 101
Getting Around the Mall
Other Perks
Page
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
Fac il i ti e s. si .e du 2 | P a g e
Greetings from the OFMR Director, Kendra Gastright
Welcome aboard! Thank you for choosing to spend your summer with
us at the Smithsonian Institution, and particularly the Office of Facilities
Management and Reliability (OFMR). In OFMR, we encourage our
team members to be their best by empowering them to make good
decisions and providing a stimulating environment with meaningful
work. Your decision to join us will be one of the best you’ve made.
The primary goal of our organization is to provide world class services
to the Smithsonian Institution and ensure that OFMR continues to be a leader in the facilities
industry. Your internship is essential to fulfilling the Smithsonian Institution’s mission of “...the
increase and diffusion of knowledge.” We hope you will make great contributions and enjoy
your time in OFMR.
You should use this handbook as a ready reference during your time with OFMR. Again,
welcome, we are glad you are here!
Sincerely,
Kendra Gastright
Director, Office of Facilities Management and Reliability
Hello!
We are delighted to welcome you to the OFMR team and we look forward to working with
you on important projects! Our internship experience is about helping students begin to
make the transition from academic success as a student to professional success as an
employee. We strive to provide opportunities that will help inform you of career options so
you can make career choices that are consistent with your personal and professional goals.
This intern handbook was conceived and developed by our program staff with the help of
interns like you. Familiarize yourself with its content and quickly get an overview of what
others have experienced working with OFMR. Of course, ask any questions when you have
them.
Learn, Explore & Welcome to Your FM Internship Adventure!
Judie Cooper
Associate Director of Organizational Development
Fac il i ti e s. si .e du 3 | P a g e
Welcome from a Fellow Intern
Hi! Welcome to the Smithsonian. My name is Mike, and I was
one of the OFMR interns during the summer of 2014. I wrote this
handbook, and I hope it’s helpful to you. I tried to include all
the “inside tips” that made working at the Smithsonian so
special (like early morning access to museums before
opening hours, or getting a sandwich from Pablo in the
basement of the Smithsonian Castle), as well as the basics.
Some of this you will already know, like the fact that you need to secure your own housing.
Other things you may not end up needing—like the hours of the Office of Protection Services
(OPS) in Capital Gallery. But trust me when I say that if you’re the one person whose badge
does not work their first week (that was me), or the person that wants to have access to one
of the free fitness facilities available to SI affiliates (also me), then this information will be very
useful to you.
And still other things in this handbook are included for your benefit personally and
professionally—like networking, professional development, and even some tips for
unconventional things to do in DC (we’re not going to recommend the National Mall and
our own museums—that’s just expected of you at this point!)
I hope this finds you well. Thus begins your summer with OFMR!
All the best,
Mike Hoosier
OFMR Strategic Writing Intern, 2014
Washington University in St. Louis, Class of 2015
This handbook is written by OFMR Interns for OFMR Interns!
Fac il i ti e s. si .e du 4 | P a g e
Meet the Team
OFMR’s Organizational Development Services (ODS) unit provides a wide range of services
to the staff and the public. In addition to managing a robust internship program, ODS
organizes training for all OFMR staff, maintains and develops OFMR’s digital communications,
and educates the public through career expos, conferences, and exhibitions about the field
of facility management.
Judie Cooper
Associate Director Organizational Development Services
OFMR Intern Program Director
Judie Cooper has worked at the Smithsonian in various
leadership roles for almost forty years. In her current capacity, she serves as
the Director of Organizational Development Services and provides training
to new employees. As a certified facility manager, Judie is an active
member of the Washington-area chapter of IFMA—the International
Facility Management Association. She is the co-author of a new book, The
Care and Keeping of Cultural Facilities, which has been adopted across
the nation as a textbook in university facility management programs. Judie
is regularly invited as a guest lecturer on issues in facility management and
is a well-respected leader in the field.
Stephanie Lieberman
Media and Technology Specialist
OFMR Intern Program Coordinator
Stephanie is a Media & Technology Specialist for the Office of Facilities
Management & Reliability (OFMR). Stephanie is an experienced
technology professional who is passionate about advancing educational
and communication tools for learning institutions. In her current role, she
manages her unit’s internal and external websites, project manages a
variety of technology initiatives, and supports several organizational
development programs. Stephanie is the Program Assistant for the
Smithsonian’s FM Internship Program.
Shawnda Lawson-Smith
Management Support Assistant
OFMR Training Program Coordinator
Shawnda is OFMR’s Training Program Coordinator. She manages OFMR
courses and collaborates with all the training providers and students in
OFMR to help make sure their course work is a success. Shawnda ensures
that OFMR staff remain current with the latest training industry practices.
Fac il i ti e s. si .e du 5 | P a g e
Fill in the blank
Please fill out the following worksheet—it contains spaces for some of the most important
things you can know starting out here at the Smithsonian. Take special attention to note the
names and contact information of any superior with whom you will be working. Also, take
this time to introduce yourself to your peers! You’re all pretty impressive—it’d be sad for you
not to socialize.
1
2
3
What is your SI Email? If you don’t have one, or don’t
know how to get one, ask your supervisor now!
Who is the point of contact at the Office of Fellowships
and Internships if you have questions about your
appointment?
Who is your supervisor?
4
Who are your fellow interns-introduce yourself! Network,
share, and stay in touch!
5
Who are the OFMR program coordinators?
Name
Office #
Cell #
Email
6
Who should I talk to first if I am experience difficulties
during my time here? Who else if I still need help?
7
What should I do if I hate my project and this experience is
not what I expected?
8
Will I be able to find my way to my work station the next
day? If not, whose contact information should I take so
that I can feel confident? (some of our buildings are tricky
to navigate at first!)
9
Did you discuss dress code with your supervisor?
10 Did you discuss with your supervisor the time you are
expected to report each day, and how many hours per
week you are expected to be present?
11 Did you discuss with your supervisor how you should
communicate your absence if you have an emergency
or illness?
12 Have you secured housing? YOU SHOULD HAVE SECURED
HOUSING BEFORE YOUR ARRIVAL. If you have currently not
secured housing, notify us immediately.
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Getting Your Smithsonian ID Badge
The most important thing to do your first week is to initiate the process of getting your
Smithsonian ID Badge. Organizational Development Services will make arrangements for you
to meet with security to begin this process. In order to receive an intern badge you must be
fingerprinted and successfully complete a background check with our security office. The
badge and security process takes time, so it is very important that you know how to contact
your supervisor so that you can access the places you need to go to complete your project
if you are waiting for badge clearance. Your badge is purple to distinguish it from those of
full-time employees, but this does not make it any less important, as your badge is what gives
you access to your work area. More importantly, your badge provides you exclusive access
to many areas of SI—areas that are often not open to the public. It also enables you to take
advantage of the great “Intern Perks” listed on page 22 of this handbook.
Your badge will be issued by the Personnel Security and ID Office. Office hours for OPS are:
Office of Protection Services
600 Maryland Avenue SW, 4th floor
M-F, 8am to 4:30pm.
Please note: The Personnel Security and ID Office accepts walk-ins only on Mondays and
Fridays. Appointments for Tuesday-Thursday are scheduled online. You can make an
appointment by going to the Office of Protection Services and selecting “Request SI
Credential.” Schedule an appointment. Again, we will assist you with this process!
All individuals requesting a Smithsonian photo ID badge are required to provide their social
Security Numbers. Additionally, to receive or replace a Smithsonian ID badge, all SI
employees will be required to show two forms of identification (including at least one photo
identification such as a driver’s license, state-issued ID card, Student ID, or Smithsonian ID).
For a list of acceptable identification documents, please reference the list on the following
page.
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Acceptable Forms of Identification List for Smithsonian Security
The applicant must provide two forms of identification to PSIO staff. At least ONE identity
source document must be a valid state or federal government-issued picture identification
(ID). Note that all forms of identification, with the exception of a U.S. Passport, must be
unexpired.
Acceptable forms of identification include:
• U.S. Passport (expired or unexpired)
• Certificate of U.S. Citizenship (INS Form N-560 or N-561)
• Foreign passport with I-551 stamp or attached INS Form I-94 indicating unexpired
employment authorization
• Alien Registration Card with photograph (INS Form I-151 or I-688)
• Temporary Resident Card (INS Form I-688)
• Employment Authorization Card (INS Form I-688A)
• Reentry Permit (INS Form I-327)
• Refugee Travel Document (INS Form I-571)
• Employment Authorization Document issued by the INS with contains a photograph (INS
Form I-688B)
• State-issued driver’s license
• State-issued identification card
• School ID card (with a photograph)
• Voter’s registration card
Fac il i ti e s. si .e du 8 | P a g e
Your Supervisor
Soon after your intern orientation, you’ll begin your assignment in OFMR. All interns are
placed with a supervisor, who oversees their projects and serves as their immediate contact
with other Smithsonian Staff. You will likely want to shadow your supervisor to learn more and
be exposed to ongoing projects.
During the first week, you should discuss the following topics with your supervisor:
Dress Code
What is appropriate will vary depending upon one’s job assignment. Dress in OFMR is
business casual, unless you are making a formal presentation.

For men, this may include slacks or Khakis and button-up shirts or polo.

For women, business casual may include knee-length skirts and blouses, as well as
dress pants or khakis.
While business casual dress is fine, casual shoes are not acceptable! During your time with
OFMR you will be performing site visits to areas that may present the potential for foot
hazards, so we ask that you wear appropriate footwear. This means closed toe shoes and
NO SANDALS!
Due to the behind the scenes nature of your work, we request that you do not wear flip-flops
or open back shoes. Solid tennis shoes/good walking shoes are appropriate for the first day.
Speak with your individual supervisor about specific requirements for different
buildings/facilities. Depending on the project, jeans and a t-shirt, even shorts might be
appropriate. If you have a question about dress code please ask your supervisor or the intern
program coordinators. If you are wearing inappropriate attire you will be dismissed for the
day and given one opportunity to come back and dress appropriately for the rest of your
internship. If we have to have more than one conversation with you regarding dress code,
you will be dismissed from the program.
Ask these questions your first week!
 What is the procedure for requesting time-off?
 What are your specific start and end times?
 When/how long is lunch?
 Who is your “timekeeper?”
 Is there someone keeping specific track of when you arrive and depart for the day?
Who should you notify when you are sick, and how do you report sick leave or other
emergencies?
 How is your time to be spent?
 What are your “project outcomes” and when are they due?
o HINT: Establish a timeline for your project outcomes early-on.
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Project Outcomes
What is a Project Outcome?
A project outcome is simply the finished product of your work—the fruit of your hard work. In
this sense, all interns will have project outcomes, though they will vary by project. These
products are part of how your performance will be measured during your time at the
Smithsonian, and they will be the most important evidence you can point to of your
contribution. For that reason, take pride in your efforts—it means taking pride in your
contribution here at the Smithsonian.
Project outcomes can range from policy analyses and other written documents, to
evaluations of various facilities, to other physical products like event
organizing/management or administrative work. All such deliverables can be evaluated,
and thus may be used as the basis for letters of reference or recommendation. For more
information on your learning objectives and assignments, check your project description and
speak with your supervisor.
OFMR Intern contributions are treasured by our team. It is OFMR’s goal to make sure that
intern’s efforts go towards projects that will be helpful and can be used by our team going
forward.
Please note: Project outcomes and project changes are subject to change at any time, at
the discretion of your supervisor. For any questions or concerns, speak with your supervisor
and the program coordinators.
Fac il i ti e s. si .e du 10 | P a g e
Stipends and Tax Information $$$!
If you are receiving a stipend you must return your signed Award Agreement and required
paperwork to The Office of Fellowships and Internships (OFI) prior to your arrival or you may
not receive your stipend payment. Be sure to check with your banking institution to confirm
the correct routing number for electronic funds transfer, and do not rely on the routing
number on your check. All stipend payments will be credited to you via direct deposit: no
paper checks or check cards will be issued, so make sure all of the proper paperwork is
submitted and is submitted properly.
You will not be paid if you do not submit the required paperwork. Please contact the FM
Intern Program Coordinators first if you have any questions relating to stipends.
A Few Things to Note about Stipends:
 Are not considered salary
 Are limited to helping defray living expenses during the term of appointment and
cannot be paid retroactively
 Can only begin after all required paperwork has been returned
 Arrive around the 10th and 25th each month
 For U.S. citizens and those considered U.S. residents: taxes are NOT withheld
And About Taxes...
For non-U.S. citizens taxes may or may not be withheld depending on existing tax treaties the
U.S. has with the awardee’s country of origin.
Awardees receive a financial summary at the end of each calendar year and are
responsible for meeting their own state and federal tax obligation.
REMEMBER THIS! A Note from the Office of Fellowships and Internships
If you received a stipend Iast year, you should not expect to receive a W-2 or 1099 for your
appointment.
Instead, financial statements, which summarize stipend payments received in the previous
year are sent to SI stipend recipients in February. These are not official tax documents but
hopefully are helpful for tax purposes.
Non-U.S. Residents who received a 2014 SI stipend payment should have also received a
1042-S form, which is an official tax document, in February.
Stipend recipients may find the IRS website to be helpful, especially Publication 970, which
can be found here.
Fac il i ti e s. si .e du 11 | P a g e
Addressing Problems
Any new job can be frustrating or confusing, and internships are no different. Here at the
Smithsonian, you will be working on projects of vital importance, and outside of your projects
you will be learning about the inner workings of facilities management from SI personnel that
have decades of experience. We’ll even take you on field trips!
Still, if you find yourself facing problems in your assignment—with you peers, your supervisor,
or with your project itself—please do not hesitate to approach us and ask for help. Also, if
you find yourself facing any difficult personal problems, please feel comfortable
approaching your program directors. Often times they can work with you to accommodate
you if something comes up.
If you think keeping your problems to yourself is a good idea, just look at Sue...
This is Sue. She keeps her problems to herself.
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What to do, what to do?
Real-life Scenario #1: What to do
Tyler [real name changed] was assigned to work on one project for the entire summer with a
particular zone manager. After a week, he realized his supervisor was not going to be very
active in his learning at SI. His project was monotonous, and he did not feel it was particularly
educational or as valuable as he would like it to be, considering he would be searching for a
job at the end of his internship. Instead of keeping quiet, however, Tyler approached the
program directors (See Page 5) and described his predicament. Together, they crafted a
solution that gave him much more experience and a better idea of FM, and also allowed
him to finish his original project.
Real-Life Scenario #2: What Not to do
As an ambitious young intern, Jack [real name changed], thought he was going to be
running the show at the Smithsonian. On his second day he came to his supervisors and said
that his “project was not challenging enough” and that his skills “far exceeded” what he was
tasked with. While his supervisors and the program directors worked with Jack to
accommodate some of his wants, he did not make a great lasting impression and ended up
missing out on some valuable opportunities that might have presented themselves had he
been more open-minded.
Takeaways:
 Be Honest about expectations and desires
 Be respectful to your colleagues, peers, and supervisors (it sure does seem obvious)
 Address problems early
 Be open-minded: accept new experiences
 Communicate with program advisors and supervisors
 Be patient: you’ll learn as you go!
Fac il i ti e s. si .e du 13 | P a g e
Procedures & Regulations
Code of Ethics
The Smithsonian is a public trust and is accountable to
the general public as well as to the Smithsonian’s
multiple stakeholders in carrying out all of our activities in
a conscientious and responsible manner. Representing
the Smithsonian is a privilege. You have a responsibility
to maintain the highest standards of honesty, integrity,
professionalism, and loyalty to the Institution.
All of your activities must support the Smithsonian
mission. Conduct that would compromise the integrity of
the public’s confidence in the Smithsonian must be
avoided.
Please read the Smithsonian’s Statement of Values and
Code of Ethics:
http://www.si.edu/content/governance/pdf/Statement_of_Values_and_Code_of_Ethics.pdf
Doing so will help you to understand our core values and ethical standards.
Diversity & Prevention of Workplace Harassment
We are all partners in fostering an inclusive workplace that involves our differences and
allows each individual to achieve and maintain excellence. It is important that we embrace
these policies so the Smithsonian can continue to provide equal employment opportunity,
promote diversity and inclusion, and to constructively resolve workplace conflict.
“The Smithsonian has a zero tolerance policy of workplace harassment based on race, color,
religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, disability, genetic information,
marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, and reprisal/retaliation. Anyone engaging
in behavior or conduct that violates these policies will be subject to appropriate disciplinary
measures which could include removal from the Smithsonian.”
~Excerpt from Workplace Harassment Policy
These complete statements can be found on Prism (SI’s Intranet).
Intellectual Property & Media Release
All interns are required to sign a copyright agreement. The Smithsonian retains the rights to all
the work you produce at the Smithsonian. In accordance with this agreement, you must
receive the special permission of the Office of General Counsel to use your internship
products outside of the Institution (for commercial gain).
Fac il i ti e s. si .e du 14 | P a g e
Social Media Expectations
While in residence you may be privy to confidential information or have access to nonpublic areas. Sharing information in social media outlets becomes a concern because
confidential information becomes public. Such confidential information must be kept
internal and should not be disclosed. Everyone at the Smithsonian is expected to carefully
consider any Smithsonian related content they are considering posting to the Web.
The following are general guidelines for behavior on social media sites*:
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
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

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Content should never compromise the Smithsonian and its mission
The tone of social media accounts and their posts should be professional, dignified,
and respectful
Activities such as anonymously posting information about the Smithsonian and using
pseudonyms or false screen names are strongly discouraged
If publishing content to a personal social media account, you should include a
disclaimer making it clear that the views expressed are personal and not those of the
Smithsonian
Discuss the content with your Supervisor, Advisor, Academic Appointment of your
museum’s/unit’s Office of Public Affairs first and ask for advice on what is permissible
Upcoming exhibitions or new acquisitions should not be announced to the public or
the media on anyone’s personal blog, Facebook page, Twitter feed, or other outlet
Do not list the names of your colleagues (even first names)
Do not include photographs of collections areas or other non-public spaces
Please Note: The Smithsonian regularly monitors the Smithsonian content on the web
*See SD 814 on Prism (the Smithsonian’s Intranet) for additional guidance
Fac il i ti e s. si .e du 15 | P a g e
Using Smithsonian Computers
Smithsonian computers and email are, as a general rule, to be used only for Smithsonianrelated activities. You are required to sign a Computer User Agreement and participate in
computer security training. This will arrive by email the first week. Nobody should expect
privacy while using Smithsonian computers, networks, and email accounts.
You are in violation of Smithsonian policies and risk termination if you:
 Harass or threaten other users or interfere with their access to SI computing facilities
 Send or forward racially, sexually, or ethnically offensive material
 Send material that is slanderous or libelous or that involves defamation of character
 Plagiarize
 Send fraudulent email
 Break into another users computer or mailbox
 Lobby an elected official, promote a political candidate, or promote a personal,
social, religious, or political cause regardless of worthiness
 Search for or use websites that involve hate groups or racially offensive or sexually
explicit material
 Gamble
 Send malicious programs such as computer viruses
 Promote ventures involving personal profit
 Participate in activities that promote computer crime or misuse, including, but not
limited to, posting or disclosing passwords, credit card and other account numbers,
and system vulnerabilities
 Violate any software licensing agreement, especially by distributing software
 Infringe on any copyright or other intellectual property right
 Send mass mailings of a non-business nature
 Disclose confidential business information
 Participate in chain letters
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After Your Internship
At the end of your internship you will be expected to evaluate the program and your
experience with OFMR. Here are some of the things we will ask of you:
Experience Essay
We ask that every intern compose an 8-9 page reflection of your time here at the
Smithsonian and OFMR.
Questions such as these can serve as a starting point for a larger composition.
 What did you learn about facilities that you did not know before?
 Did you gain an appreciation for the complexities of FM?
 How did your project benefit you? Us?
Exit Survey
At the end of your internship we will ask you to complete a short exit survey so we can
improve the program in future years.
However, if you notice something you would like changed, do not wait until the end to say it!
Voice your concerns early on so we can work to make this experience of value and worth
remembering.
Returning Your Badge
Yes, unfortunately, before leaving you will have to return your badge. This is necessary for
security purposes—no exceptions.
Taxes, Again.
Because interns are paid by a stipend, taxes are not deducted from their paycheck. This
means you are responsible for declaring your own taxes and making sure they are paid. OFI
will send you a financial statement of your total earnings. If you have any more questions,
call OFI.
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Professional Development
One huge perk of working for OFMR is that the intern directors are huge on helping you
advance in your career. They go out of their way to provide the following opportunities to
enlighten you and enhance your prospects.
Professional Development Days
One day a week all OFMR interns will gather for small breakout meetings focused on
professional development, both in facilities management and in other industries. PD days
include icebreakers, guest speakers, field trips, and other outings.
Networking
Take advantage of the various networking opportunities that OFMR and SI have to offer. OFI
has various intern orientations, resume workshops, and other events. OFMR will introduce you
to some very important figures in the Smithsonian as well. Put yourself out there. As long as
you can get your work done, we encourage you to meet and speak with any high profile
officials that you can. Whether you’re looking for a job after this internship, or if you’ll want
help securing another opportunity the next year, it will be helpful to have these names on
your radar.
Shadowing
Along with meeting prominent officials and managers, we encourage you to shadow them
to gain an appreciation for their work. Just speak with the program director or coordinator
about your interests and expertise, and we can probably find someone in OFMR that will be
relevant for you.
Publication Opportunities
All interns are required to write a longer reflection essay towards the end of their internship,
and give a presentation to the Zone Managers about their time at SI. In lieu of a longer
reflection, interns are welcome to submit individual compositions after events. These should
address questions similar to those used in the longer reflection piece, and can potentially be
used for newsletters and other OFMR and SI publications.
It is important to note that your writing can be published with OFMR and SI! Various
newsletters and FM magazines could use your work. Speak to the program directors if you
are interested in being published through SI.
Recommendations
At the end of your internship you can ask your supervisors or those you worked closely with
for letters of recommendation to future opportunities—one more reason to make your time
at SI count! Please note, just because you participated in an Internship with our team,
doesn’t mean you get a letter of recommendation. Strong letters of recommendation must
be earned through hard work and outstanding performance.
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Events to Note
The following are opportunities exclusive to OFMR interns. Be sure to make these unique
memories!
OFMR Exclusives
OFMR takes its interns on exclusive tours for OFMR interns-only. These visits range from tours of
specialized facilities in and outside of SI, to important cultural and historic sites that
sometimes partner with the Smithsonian. Past visits have included:
 U.S. Capitol Tour
 The U.S. Holocaust Museum
 Google Washington DC HQ
 Bureau of Engraving and Printing
 Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC)
 Olde Towne Pet Resort
 Segway Adventures
 Natural History After-hours Tour
 Udvar-Hazy Center (Planes! Space!)
 Collections storage facilities
 Front Royal
Team Building Exercises
 Lunches
 Smithsonian Imax Viewing
 Bowling, Movies, Ballgames (anything you would like to suggest!)
 Don’t forget, as an SI employee you’re entitled to one free SI IMAX movie each week!
Just show your badge and you’ll gain free admittance. (Not including commercial
releases.)
 And of course, schedule tours your own! Past classes of interns have networked to
schedule visits at various government buildings or to gain discounts to various other
opportunities.
Your Intern badge is “Super.” It can even get you from one “Frozone” to another. It
can...okay, no more puns. Just use the badge!
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DC 101
Living in Washington can be fun and exciting, especially for those who have never lived here
before. As you’ve probably already discovered, Washington is a busy city with no shortage
of things to do. Still, navigating the city can be a hassle. Here are some general tips for living
in the District.
Commuting & Travel:
Driving: You most likely will not want to drive to/from work. Traffic in the District, especially
during rush hour, is infamously bad. Perhaps even more importantly is that parking is very
hard to find, and when you can find it, it is very expensive.
Interns From Around Here: Trust us. You know traffic here. You know parking.
And if you don’t…let me tell you - it’s actually, truly nightmarish. And don’t get me started
about how expensive it is. You don’t want to drive if you can avoid it. If you must drive,
carpool for your own sake.
Metro:
By far the easiest way to get around the District and the surrounding area is by the Metro
and Metrobus. (You will be hard-pressed to find a place that the Metro system does not go.)
That being said, the first thing to do if you have not already is to purchase a SmarTrip card.
SmarTrip is the Metro’s primary (and cheaper) fare system. You can buy a SmarTrip at any
station and add money to your card—as you swipe it at the turnstiles it is
automatically deducted from your card. Currently, OFMR does NOT offer any financial
assistance with travel expenses.
The Bus: Busses tend to be cheaper than the rail, especially during peak fare hours. It’s well
worth a look to see if a useful Metrobus picks up near you.
To plan a detailed route, follow this link to use the “Metro Trip Planner”—
http://www.wmata.com/rider_tools/tripplanner/tripplanner_form_solo.cfm
Safety:
This is a city! Please be mindful of your surroundings. Smartphone and device theft in metro
has increased significantly over the last few years. Please keep personal items and electronic
items safely packed away when in transit. OFMR program coordinators will give more tips
about safety at the weekly professional development activities.
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Getting Around the Mall
Biking
Want to bike but don’t want to buy a bike? Capital Bikeshare is DC’s bikesharing program
and it might be for you. With Capital Bikeshare just pick up a bike almost anywhere in DC,
ride it to your desired location, and drop it off at a separate Capitol Bikeshare bike dock.
Daily, monthly, and yearly memberships are available.
For more information, visit Capital Bikeshare’s website—
https://www.capitalbikeshare.com
SI Shuttle
The Smithsonian offers a regular shuttle for transportation to its various facilities on the
National Mall, and from the National Mall to the Museum Support Center, Herndon, Hazy
and Crystal City. To view the schedule, visit OFMR’s site on PRISM and look under “OFMR
Resources.”
Getting To and From Special OFMR Events
For events inside the District that are metro-accessible or within walking distance, interns are
welcome to meet at the event (for example, for “Morning at the Museum” interns meet at
the Natural History Museum). For events outside the District which require other
transportation, transport is provided by OFMR.
Memorable Spots
Besides the monuments on the National Mall and all of the Smithsonian’s Museums, there are
several other popular destinations. Below are some neighborhoods, restaurants, and other
spots that are popular with locals:
Dupont Circle (Z Burger, Kramer Books and Afterwords Café, Embassy Row)
Gallery Place/Chinatown (Spy Museum, National Portrait Gallery)
Nationals Park
Foggy Bottom (Founding Farmers, Rasika-reservations needed!)
Georgetown (Georgetown Cupcake, Old Stone House)
Tyson’s Corner (Silver Line in Virginia)
Farmers Markets: http://freshfarmmarkets.org/ (The one in DuPont Circle is not to be
missed!)
 Tidal Basin Paddle Boats: http://www.tidalbasinpaddleboats.com/
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Other Perks
Fitness membership
SI interns are entitled to use the physical fitness facility at NASM, MNAH, and Capitol Gallery.
Ask your program director for more details.
Staff Discounts
 20% discount at all Smithsonian Museum stores
 20% discount at the National Gallery of Art Museum Stores
 Reduced rate at Smithsonian staff cafeterias
 Use of Smithsonian staff food facilities
 (Check out “the Boiler Room” beneath the Castle! Their chef Pablo makes the best
deli sandwiches.)
 One free IMAX, planetarium or Butterfly Pavilion ticket/week, subject to availability
(does not include special feature-length commercial movies), and additional tickets
at a reduced rate
 Free weekday parking after 3p.m. and weekend parking at NASM and NMNH
 Free parking at NASM’S Udvar-Hazy Center
 Smithsonian Library Card
 Free Membership in the Agricultural Federal Credit Union (visit the branch in the
basement of the Smithsonian Castle)
 Scholarship applications to selected TSA courses, seminars, and lectures
 Free admission to other non-Smithsonian museums who have reciprocity with the
Smithsonian (all you need to know is it’s a partnership between museums that gets
your free/reduced admission).
 Staff Entrance to Museums
 Don’t forget, you can enter through the “Staff entrance” with your badge and skip all
of the lines at any SI museum—it really does come in handy!
 Ability to participate in SI programming: SHAPE Walk, Weight Watchers, OFMR and
Smithsonian staff events such as the annual Folklife Festival
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Your Notes
Your Questions
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