Science Communication Volunteer Jobs in Oak Ridge, TN

The TENN herbarium is seeking a highly organized, detail-oriented individual to join our department as the Herbarium Collections Manager.
The TENN herbarium houses over 710,000 plant and fungal specimens and is one of the largest collections in the southeastern United States. The Herbarium Collections Manager supports research in the herbarium focusing on taxonomy, systematics, invasive species, conservation of rare plants/fungi, and field botany/mycology. For more information on our collection, see the TENN herbarium website - https://herbarium.utk.edu/
This key team member oversees the day-to-day management, preservation, and accessibility of our plant and fungal biodiversity collection, which includes specimen curation, record keeping, and monitoring specimen inflow/outflow. In addition, the Herbarium Collections Manager leads a team of undergraduate students and volunteer assistants with specimen curation and scientific outreach projects. The Herbarium Collections Manager reports to the TENN Herbarium Director, Dr. Jessica M. Budke, and collaborates with the Director and Curators to plan and implement herbarium goals, priorities, and programs.
This is a full-time, permanent position with health and retirement benefits. Initial appointment for six months starting October 1, 2026, with extension pending positive performance evaluations.
Responsibilities
Will include but are not limited to:

1. Oversee the day-to-day management, preservation, and accessibility of this biodiversity collection, which includes specimen curation, record keeping, and monitoring specimen inflow/outflow.
2. Hire, train, schedule, and supervise members of the public as herbarium volunteers and undergraduate student curation technicians to carry out tasks such as label making and mounting, filing, imaging, databasing, and georeferencing specimens.
3. Supervise and teach undergraduate student interns enrolled in the Herbarium Internship course.
4. Respond to inquiries from members of the university community, visiting scientific researchers, governmental and consulting agencies, and members of the public.
5. Perform outreach and science communication through herbarium social media pages/feeds.
6. Conduct tours for visiting scholars, students, and the public.
7. Manage the TENN website to share plant information with internet users worldwide.
8. Upload data to and manage online databases containing information on specimens in the TENN collection.
9. Manage and track applications and final reports for research funds overseen by the EEB Collections Committee.

Qualifications
Required Qualifications

• Education: Master's degree from an accredited university in Plant Sciences, Botany, Ecology, Biology, Horticulture, or related field
• Experience: 1-3 years of herbarium/botanical experience
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  
  • Knowledge of botanical museum principles, practices, and procedures
  • Strong interpersonal communication skills with the ability to lead a team of volunteer and student assistants to complete collection management projects
  • Sound reasoning, analytical thought, attention to detail, creativity, high levels of organization, and innovation in solving minor problems that occur day to day
  • Proficiency with computer software (e.g., Word, Excel, Photoshop, Dreamweaver)

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.
Preferred Qualifications

• Education: PhD from an accredited university in Plant Sciences, Botany, Ecology, Biology, Horticulture, or related field
• Experience: Previous experience with plant/fungal taxonomy and knowledge of plant/fungal families and genera is preferred.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  
  • Ability to learn new programs to manage and maintain websites/databases as needed
  • Excellent verbal and written communication, including experience communicating through social media

Work Location

• Location: Knoxville, Tn
• Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR11
• Anticipated hiring range: $60,000-$64,000
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions
To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments as a single document. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before August 1, 2026.

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter

About The Department
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology is in the top 10% of ecology programs in North America based on research impact (Keville et al., 2017), ahead of peer institutions such as UCLA and UC San Diego. Our faculty and students come from around the globe. Our faculty is a mix of internationally known senior researchers and an energetic group of junior faculty at the cutting edges of their fields. We train graduate and undergraduate students with research interests in ecology, evolutionary biology, animal behavior, conservation biology, behavioral and population genetics, computational biology, development of theory for evolution and ecology, ecosystem and community ecology, global change biology, diverse areas of organismal biology, and biology education.
About Us
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees-the Volunteers-who uphold the university's tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.
UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee's flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy's largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.
UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.
The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as "Best Employer for New Graduates," "One of America's Best Large Employers," and "Best Workplace for Women," and has been designated as "Best Place for Working Parents" by Forbes Magazine.
Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!