Repatriation Specialist (Extended Temporary)

The Repatriation Specialist is a 1.0 FTE (full-time-equivalent), ETE (extended temporary employee) position that functions within the Research Division of the Arizona State Museum (ASM), University of Arizona (UA), reporting to the Repatriation Coordinator. The incumbent is responsible for assisting the Repatriation Coordinator in conducting records research, documentation, and reporting for the repatriation of human remains and cultural items from archaeological collections from Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) lands housed at ASM pursuant to Federal legislative requirements under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). Key duties include conducting background and archival research on human remains and collections to be repatriated; identifying, locating, and assembling cultural items; documenting cultural items (if required); creating and maintaining repatriation-related databases; coordinating the flow of collections between museum divisions (Collections and Research); and drafting consultation documents and a preliminary notice for repatriation.

Arizona State Museum (ASM) is the oldest and largest anthropological research facility in the U.S. Southwest, with expansive collections that are exceptional resources for the teaching, study, and understanding of the region's 13,000-year human history.

Established in 1893, ASM is one of the University of Arizona's original research units (UA was established in 1885). ASM scholars are leaders in their fields, with research cutting across many disciplines. Each year, ASM hosts students and researchers from around the globe who consult the collections to expand the frontiers of knowledge in archaeology, ethnology, ethnohistory, materials science, climate science, and other related fields; by students seeking to learn the current state of knowledge in those same fields; and by Native artists seeking to learn from and gain inspiration from ancestors and relatives.

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Duties & responsibilities:

• Conducting records research on relevant collections.
  • Uses
    library, archival, catalog card, photographic image, and site and land
    history records to identify pertinent archaeological and curation
    information of collections leading to repatriation.
• Identifying, locating, and assembling cultural items:
  • Uses
    project records and museum collections records to identify and locate
    previously categorized cultural items and identify additional
    (previously unknown) cultural items.
  • Identifies cultural items loaned to other institutions and works with the Registrar to recall loans.
  • Assembles
    cultural items in designated areas in preparation for repatriation and
    creates and maintains new storage location data.
  • Rehouses cultural items, as necessary, in consultation with the Conservation Laboratory.
• Documenting cultural items (if required) and creating and maintaining databases:
  • Completes and/or facilitates documentation of all cultural items (if required).
  • Updates computerized records used to manage repatriation.
  • Produces counts and formal descriptions of cultural items based on established procedures.
• Preparing inventory lists of human remains and cultural items:
  
  • Prepare integrated lists of human remains and cultural items used for repatriation.
  • Prepare documents for consultation with affiliated Tribes according to established procedures.
  • Update NAGPRA inventories, as needed, in coordination with the Repatriation Coordinator.
• Other
  tasks as assigned by the Repatriation Coordinator to assist planning
  for and managing the repatriation of human remains and cultural items
  from BIA collections housed at ASM pursuant to Federal regulations.
• Additional duties may be assigned.

Knowledge, skills & abilities:

• Working knowledge of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA).
• Ability to handle human remains and cultural items in keeping with approved curation protocols and cultural sensitivity.
• Working knowledge of the archaeology of the US Southwest.
• Familiarity with working with tribal communities.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required and a minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
  

• Master's degree in anthropology or related field.
• Experience working with archival records.
• Experience documenting archaeological artifacts or museum objects.
• Archaeological excavation experience.
• Experience in creating and maintaining computerized databases.