NAGPRA Collections Associate (BIA)

****The final salary for this position is dependent upon total Education and Experience****

The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology (MMA) at the University of New Mexico (UNM) seeks an NAGPRA Collections Associate to conduct Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) compliance for Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) collections. We seek an enthusiastic professional with experience in osteology and archaeology and familiarity with the material culture of the U.S. Southwest.

We seek an experienced, forward-thinking, collegial museum professional to work collaboratively to serve the Museum's mission of "working towards greater understandings of the fullness of human experiences in the Southwest and the world," and vision of "restoring voices, reconciling injustices and realizing community." Founded in 1932, the Maxwell Museum holds large anthropological collections in four collecting divisions (archaeology, ethnology, osteology and archives), with particular strengths in scholarship and research in the U.S. Southwest. The successful candidate will be a member of the Museum's collection staff and will join a dedicated team of museum professionals in collections, archives, education, exhibitions, public programs and administration.

The Maxwell Museum is strongly committed to: fulfilling the ethical and legal requirements of NAGPRA; fostering strong collaborative relationships with Native American communities; the respectful curation of Indigenous cultural collections; and the repatriation of ancestral human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony as specified in 43 CFR Part 10. The successful candidate will join a dedicated team of collection professionals working to document and care for collections, build collaborations with source and descendent communities, and support an active program of NAGPRA consultations.

Position Summary

Under supervision of the Curator of Archaeology and Collections Manager for Osteology, the NAGPRA Collections Associate will conduct NAGPRA compliance for BIA collections housed at the Maxwell Museum, including assessing collections for NAGPRA eligible ancestral remains, funerary objects, and cultural items. Tasks also include organizing and assisting the BIA with tribal consultations and updating and completing NAPGRA inventories, summaries, and notices for submission to National NAGPRA. As time permits, they may work on non-NAGPRA BIA collections including cataloguing, inventory, and digitization. This is a full-time, 3-year term position ending in 2027 with possibility for renewal.

Minimum Qualification:
Bachelor's degree in Anthropology, Museum Studies, Native American Studies, or related field.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Review and, as necessary, update information previously submitted to National NAGPRA and, with tribal permission, update MNI (minimum number of individuals) for ancestral remains.
2. Work with Museum staff to associate any funerary objects to those ancestors. Rehouse as requested by tribes.
3. Work with BIA staff to receive Duty of Care permissions from tribes to conduct NAGPRA work on collections.
4. Assess additional BIA collections for NAGPRA eligible ancestral remains, funerary objects, and cultural items. With tribal permission, determine MNI for ancestral remains. Work with Museum staff to associate any funerary objects to those ancestors. Rehouse as requested by tribes.
5. Complete collection management tasks for the respectful care and curation of Native American cultural collections on repository for the BIA, according to consultation with Tribal representatives.
6. Organize and assist the BIA with tribal consultations, with Museum support.
7. Update and complete NAGPRA inventories, summaries, and notices for submission to National NAGPRA.
8. As time permits, work on non-NAGPRA BIA collections by cataloguing, inventory, and digitization.
9. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

See the Position Description for additional information.

Bachelor's degree; at least 3 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

• Training and experience in human osteology; experience with preparing NAGPRA inventories and reports preferred.
• Knowledge of and experience working with archaeological collections, particularly the material culture of Native American groups in the U.S. Southwest.
• Familiarity with the ethical and legal requirements of NAGPRA
• Proven ability to navigate highly sensitive and confidential issues and to act with a high degree of cultural sensitivity.
• Knowledge of museum and/or lab collection policies, practices, and procedures. Familiar with archaeological excavation methods and documentation.
• Demonstrated training and experience with collections care best practices when working with archaeology collections, records, and archives.
• Ability to gather data, compile information, and prepare reports. Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated computer proficiency, including experience utilizing museum collections databases.
• Experience multitasking a variety of tasks, meeting deadlines, and working collaboratively as part of a team of museum professionals. Demonstrated attention to detail while working on complex projects.

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visit UNMJobs to submit an application.

Positions posted with a Staff Type of Regular or Term are eligible for the Veteran Preference Program. See the Veteran Preference Program webpage for additional details.

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

The University of New Mexico requires all regular staff positions successfully pass a pre-employment background check. This may include, but is not limited to, a criminal history background check, New Mexico Department of Health fingerprint screening, New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department fingerprint screening, verification of education credentials, and/or verification of prior employment. For more information about background checks, visit https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3280.html. Refer to https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3200.html for a definition of Regular Staff.