The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History has an opening for a full-time Supervisory Museum Specialist, who will serve as the Lead Collections Manager for the United States National Herbarium. The Department of Botany seeks candidates with demonstrated expertise in, and a commitment to, the care and use of botanical collections and the supervision of herbarium staff. The incumbent will ensure specimens are properly acquired, documented, prepared, and stored, and will work with our collections team to coordinate all acquisitions, loans, exchanges, transfers, and disposals. This hire will represent the department in programs focused on the development of best practices for stewardship and care of collections and will serve on internal and external committees, providing lectures to outside groups on collections management and stewardship. The Lead Collections Manager will supervise the work of collections staff and recruit and oversee contractors, volunteers, and interns focused on collections improvement projects.

This federal position will be filled at the GS-13 level, with a starting salary of $121,785 and excellent benefits. The position is permanent, but may include a probationary period. United States citizenship is required. The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

For complete requirements and application procedures, please visit USAJOBS and refer to announcements 26R-JW-313797-DEU-NMNH (public candidates; https://www.usajobs.gov/job/864499200) and 26R-JW-313797-MPA-NMNH (current/former federal candidates; https://www.usajobs.gov/job/864499800). Applications and all supporting documentation must be received online by 1 May 2026. Each applicant will be notified via email upon receipt of their application.

Please be sure to read the relevant announcement and instructions carefully, especially regarding the required documents and their format. Initial review will be based upon applicant responses and resumes. Additional materials (e.g., a complete CV, vision statement, and letters of recommendation) may be requested from qualified candidates.

More information about the Department of Botany is available on our website
(https://naturalhistory.si.edu/research/botany). Please contact the Search Committee Chair, Eric Schuettpelz (SchuettpelzE@si.edu) or the Department of Botany Chair, Jun Wen (WenJ@si.edu) with any questions.