An exploratory project was initiated to develop a profile of professionals who directly care for natural science collections as well as a profile of the positions held by these individuals. The primary emphasis was on those positions involving collection management regardless of the formal institutional title of the position. Surveys were sent to 130 individuals working with natural science collections in the United States and Canada; 82. 3per thousand of the individuals responded. Analysis of the responses provided brief descriptions of the institutions represented; the collections with which the individuals were affiliated; the individual's job, background and training; professional development opportunities; and a more detailed description of the tasks involved with the individual's job. Seventy-two percent reported that collection manager best described their job function, but only 40per thousand formally held a title of collection manager. The majority reported a broad range of responsibilities under the following categories: specimen preparation; management of specimens, data, and records; personnel management;service; and general collection support and administration. About one-third also reported tasks in the areas of research and publications, teaching, and grant-writing.