Thomas R. Harney joined the staff of the Smithsonian Institution in 1969 as Science Information Officer in the News Bureau of the Office of Public Affairs. In this capacity, he worked with the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) to inform the public of research developments and exhibitions through news releases and articles. In 1976, Harney was appointed Writer-Editor at NMNH, and in 1990 he became NMNH's Public Information Officer. The position of Public Information Officer was absorbed into the newly established Office of Public Affairs at NMNH about 1994.