****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 a Collections Associate (NAGPRA Collections Associate) to assist the Registrar/Sr. Collections Manager for Ethnology in collection management and registration tasks related to ensuring the Museum’s compliance the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). We seek an enthusiastic professional with knowledge and education in NAGPRA compliance and familiarity with documenting and caring for the material culture of Native American groups in the Southwest and greater United States.

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 US Southwest. The successful candidate will be a member of the Museum’s collection staff and will join a team of museum professionals in collections, archives, education, exhibitions, public programs, and administration.

The 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 Registrar/Sr. Collections Manager for Ethnology, the NAGPRA Collection Associate’s primary duties will include activities to document and prepare Ethnology collections and records for consultation with Native American communities. Applicants should be aware that this position requires handling and interacting with culturally sensitive objects. Responsibilities will include reviewing museum records, NAGPRA summaries, and archival materials on file in the Museum; compiling lists and reports on cultural items in the collection; updating database catalog records with additional information; assisting with compiling information to respond to collection queries and requests for information from Native American representatives; rehousing cultural items (and other collections care activities) as directed by tribes through consultations; and tracking and maintaining records of project activities. In addition to the primary work to support the NAGPRA efforts for Ethnology collections, the NAGPRA Collection Associate’s will also support the museum’s general NAGPRA efforts by providing assistance to the museum’s NAGPRA Coordinator and other collections staff as needed, such as researching past loans, analyses, and conservation efforts; providing database support; and assisting with preparations for consultations and repatriations. This is a full-time, 5-year term position, with possibility for renewal.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist the Registrar/Sr. Collections Manager for Ethnology in the review and research of museum collection records to support the museum’s compliance with NAGPRA.
• Scan and compile information from museum records, previous NAGPRA summaries, archival documentation, and other sources to create lists and reports to be shared with Native communities.
• Update records in the Museum’s CollectiveAccess database based on documentation and consultation.
• Complete collection management tasks for the respectful care and curation of Native American cultural collections, according to consultation with Tribal representatives.
• Assist the Museum’s NAGPRA Coordinator with tasks related to consultation, communication, documentation, and other relevant activities.
• 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.

Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, Museum Studies, or Native American Studies. At least 3 years of documented experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

•  Familiarity with the ethical and legal requirements of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act through coursework, formal training, or work experience; NAGPRA experience desired.

• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience working with ethnology/anthropology collections, particularly the art and material culture of Native American groups in the US Southwest and other regions.
• Demonstrated knowledge of museum collection policies, practices, and procedures.
• Demonstrated training and experience with collections care best practices when working with ethnology collections and museum records and archives.
• Proven ability to navigate highly sensitive and confidential issues and to act with a high degree of cultural sensitivity.
• Ability to gather data, compile information, and prepare reports. Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills.
• Computer proficiency, including experience with museum collections databases, Microsoft Suite, Adobe Acrobat Pro, and scanning software. Knowledge of and experience with CollectiveAccess software is desirable.
• Strong organizational skills including experience in juggling a variety tasks and meeting deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse colleagues and constituencies as part of a team of museum professionals.

Only applications submitted through the official UNMJobs site will be accepted. If you are viewing this job advertisement on a 3rd party site, please 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.