Reporting to the Under Secretary for Finance and Administration/Chief Financial Officer, this position serves as the principal advisor to Smithsonian leadership on employee and visitor safety, fire and life safety, industrial hygiene, occupational health, environmental management, and radiation safety.
The incumbent represents the Smithsonian before federal, state, and local regulatory agencies and directs the Office of Safety, Health, and Environmental Management (OSHEM) and its programs.
Serves as principal advisor to the Secretary, Deputy Secretary/COO, Under Secretaries, and museum, research, and administrative leadership on matters relating to safety, occupational health, industrial hygiene, fire and life safety, environmental management, radiation protection, and the Smithsonian Scientific Dive Program.
Provides executive leadership on highly technical and sensitive issues affecting employee, volunteer, and visitor safety; protection of facilities and collections; regulatory compliance; and institutional risk management. Develops policies, goals, priorities, and resource strategies that advance Institution-wide safety, health, fire protection, and environmental programs.
Serves as Director of the Office of Safety, Health and Environmental Management (OSHEM), providing overall leadership and direction for the Office's programs, operations, personnel, and resources. Directs, through subordinate managers and supervisors, a multidisciplinary workforce of safety, fire protection, industrial hygiene, occupational health, environmental, radiation safety, and administrative professionals.
Establishes strategic priorities, assesses program performance, and ensures alignment with Smithsonian mission requirements and regulatory obligations. Plans, directs, and evaluates Institution-wide safety, health, environmental, fire protection, and radiation safety programs designed to reduce risk, prevent injuries and losses, protect facilities and collections, and ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, codes, and standards.
Advises senior leadership on significant program risks, emerging issues, compliance concerns, and organizational priorities, recommending corrective actions and strategic improvements. Oversees evaluation processes that assess museum and facility performance in safety, environmental management, and fire protection. Ensures significant deficiencies and compliance concerns are identified, prioritized, communicated to leadership, and tracked through resolution.
Advises Smithsonian leadership regarding critical unresolved risks and compliance issues. Directs the development and implementation of environmental management, occupational health, industrial hygiene, and radiation safety policies and programs required to meet regulatory obligations and support Smithsonian operations. Provides oversight of compliance activities, environmental reviews, hazard assessment programs, medical monitoring, and radiation protection requirements.
Serves as Smithsonian Fire Marshal and authority having jurisdiction for fire protection and life-safety matters. Directs policies, standards, and programs that ensure compliance with applicable fire and life-safety codes and support protection of Smithsonian facilities, collections, staff, and visitors. Oversees fire protection planning, code compliance, construction review, and fire prevention initiatives.
Serves as Chair of the Smithsonian Safety Committee and provides leadership for Institution-wide safety awareness, training, risk reduction, accident prevention, and performance improvement initiatives. Oversees analysis of injury and loss trends, reviews significant incidents, and ensures implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
Directs the planning, allocation, and management of appropriated funds supporting safety, health, fire protection, and environmental programs. Ensures effective stewardship of resources and alignment of funding with organizational priorities.
Represents the Smithsonian in high-level policy discussions and serves as the Institution's principal representative with federal, state, and local regulatory agencies and external organizations on matters involving safety, health, fire protection, environmental management, and compliance. Provides authoritative guidance on significant policy issues, regulatory requirements, and program developments.
Provides executive leadership for the development and implementation of improved management approaches, systems, and practices that enhance program effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability. Serves as the final authority on issues elevated beyond subordinate management levels and promotes continuous improvement through application of emerging best practices and regulatory developments.
The Smithsonian offers a comprehensive benefits program for both federal and trust employees. See www.sihr.si.edu for details. We also offer a rich program of services and opportunities to balance and enhance your work life.
They include: Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (an accredited educational program for children between the ages of 3 months to 6 years), transportation benefits, professional interest groups, employee advocacy groups, special events such as brown bag lunches, an annual picnic on the Mall, an annual holiday party, free lectures, behind-the-scenes tours and employee discounts at our theaters, shops and after hours events.
These and other programs have made the Smithsonian one of the top places to work in the government.
This position is with Smithsonian Institution , Other Agencies and Independent Organizations.
The posted pay range is $151661 – $228000/yr.
This position is eligible for telework.
This position requires a Other security clearance.
Applications close on 2026-11-17.
This position is open under the 'Disability' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government · Retrieved 2026-11-04 · Not affiliated with or endorsed by OPM or USAJOBS.gov
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