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  • Employer: University of California, Berkeley
  • Salary: $70,948.99 (Step 1) - $95,433.17 (Step 16)
  • Posting Closes: This position is open until filled.

At the University of California, Berkeley, we recognize that every member of our community has benefited, and continues to benefit, from living, working, and occupying the ancestral territories of California Native Nations. Consistent with our values of community and diversity, the University has a responsibility to acknowledge and make visible its role in the injuries committed against California Native Nations. In this way the University seeks to prioritize respect for both the historic culture and the contemporary presence of Native Americans throughout California and on its campus by striving to hold UC Berkeley more accountable to the needs of American Indian and Alaska Native Nations and Native Hawaiian Organizations.

Given the unique history of the state of California, and UC Berkeley’s role as the flagship land grant institution of the UC system, as well as the inherent sovereignty of Native Nations, it is imperative that the university include Tribal needs and perspectives within the fabric of the institution.

The NAGPRA Repatriation Team will report to the Chancellor’s Designee, the Assistant Chancellor, Government and Community Relations in the Office of the Chancellor.

The Government and Community Relations (GCR) office builds relationships with community leaders, elected officials, government agencies and third-party advocates to further the mission of UC Berkeley in the public sector. The issues of primary focus for the GCR team include student financial aid, admissions, scientific research and other policies at the forefront of higher education and government. GCR also coordinates the University’s response to a wide range of political and policy issues, and advises administrators and faculty on strategies to gain constructive dialogue with government and community leaders.

Under general supervision of the UC Berkeley Repatriation Coordinator, and as part of the UC Berkeley NAGPRA team, the incumbent supports policy compliance, registration, documentation, and reporting requirements in support of the campus’ repatriation obligations, set forth by the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) of 1990, the California Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (CalNAGPRA) of 2001, and the University of California systemwide policy on Native American Cultural Affiliation and Repatriation.

The incumbent supports research of new, pending, and changing systems, programs, and guidelines related to relevant Federal regulations, industry practice, and registration standards, as pertinent to NAGPRA/CalNAGPRA. The incumbent also performs routine maintenance such as registration-related filing and data management, and answering requests from other institutions, descendant communities, and other stakeholders. The incumbent also responds to requests for digitization and/or in-person use of archives and records in collaboration with Collections and Registration staff for NAGPRA/CalNAGPRA purposes.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 04/15/2024. This position is open until filled.

Responsibilities

Collection database and records management

  • Creates and updates collection database records as required to track holdings from claims through to repatriation or transfer.
  • Identifies reporting needs and assists in the development of new tools as needed to streamline consultation planning, repatriation, and documentation.
  • Reviews and updates provenance and provenience records.
  • Maintains digital and physical records of NAGPRA activities relating to claims and reporting.
  • Drafts and tracks legal documents relating to transfer of title, physical disposition, Held-In-Trust, loans, and repository agreements of NAGPRA holdings for tribes, other institutions, and/or government agencies.
  • Consolidate and develop a tracking system for NAGPRA archives on campus.

NAGPRA support

  • Facilitates NAGPRA/CalNAGPRA documentation requests and maintains records of information shared with external stakeholders.
  • Assists with locating and assembling information such as archives, accession files, archaeology site records, results of previous scientific testing and research where available; conservation records, and loan history.
  • Conducts object research when required and produces reports for NAGPRA claims. Works with collections staff and the Information Systems Manager to produce complex reports.
  • Liaises with agency representatives as appointed, for activities involving federal or state collections.
  • Maintains documentation and records related to tribe-requested testing and analysis.
  • Assists with NAGPRA/CalNAGPRA consultation.
  • Contributes to team administrative activities when extra support is needed.
  • Assists with couriering and freight planning as needed.

Assistance with monitoring of compliance with Federal NAGPRA and CalNAGPRA guidelines.

  • Assists with the composition of claim reports, Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) CalNAGPRA compliance documentation, and Federal Register publications when required.
  • Identifies current holdings not previously reported to NAGPRA/NAHC; assists in the creation or modification of NAGPRA inventories and/or summaries for previously unreported holdings.
  • Manages the registration, documentation, re-housing, tracking, and reporting of new campus finds.
  • Prepares reports on former repatriations, transfers, and determinations made.
  • Conducts data analysis and statistics reporting on collections.
  • Assists in the writing of official correspondence and reports with the Repatriation Coordinator and NAGPRA program staff.
  • Contributes to reporting for compliance and tracking activities on campus for the NAGPRA unit, including the biannual reports and audits, for activities pertaining to the position’s specialization.
  • Keeps NAHC CalNAGPRA Inventories and Summaries up to date.
  • Attend trainings and conferences to stay current on new regulations and tools to assist with performing NAGPRA registration related job duties.

Other projects as assigned.

Required Qualifications

  • A minimum of two years of practical experience with modern museum registration practices using complex information databases (such as CollectionSpace or other).
  • Knowledge of safe handling, storage, packing, movement, security, and pest control for museum collections.
  • Capacity to safely lift up to 35lbs, and use safe handling techniques and equipment including a forklift, pallet jacks, and carts.
  • Demonstrated ability to work with and analyze large sets of data using Microsoft Excel.
  • Demonstrated capacity to integrate legislation and policy into registration procedures.
  • Experience organizing and communicating large amounts of information from multiple sources in a logical manner.
  • Close attention to detail is required.
  • Able to train other staff and volunteers on data entry protocols.
  • Ability to quickly recognize registration and collections related problems and propose solutions.
  • Willing to work with human ancestral remains as well as records, photographs, archives, and collections associated with them.
  • This position may be required to travel within the United States on occasion (primarily California) to assist with transfers of cultural material or inventory work.
  • California State Driver’s License and willingness to drive a van to assist with couriering.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Knowledge of NAGPRA and CalNAGPRA.
  • Experience with archaeological and ethnographic data.
  • Experience working with Tribes, First Nations governments, communities, and/or Indigenous Peoples.
  • 5+ years of experience in museum registration or collections management.

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