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Collections Manager and NAGPRA Coordinator, Anthropology Section
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Position Number: 5978264
Location: Boulder, CO
Position Type: Museum & Arts Administration

Collections Manager and NAGPRA Coordinator, Anthropology Section

Requisition Number: 61928
Location: Boulder Colorado
Employment Type: University Staff
Schedule: Full Time
Posting Close Date: 06-Feb-2025
Date Posted:

Job Summary

The Collections Manager works collaboratively with the anthropology curator(s), other collections managers, and collections staff in meeting the goals of the section as they apply to the mission of the CU Museum of Natural History-contributing to the knowledge of the natural world and human history through research, teaching, and public education-as well as together serving as the stewards for the collections in preservation and accessibility for future generations.

Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) requires institutions that receive federal funding to return Native American cultural items to their rightful owners. This role will support CU's compliance with this Act.
The University of Colorado Boulder is committed to building a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to contributing to an inclusive campus environment. We are an Equal Opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

The University of Colorado Museum fosters exploration and appreciation of the natural environment and human cultures through research, teaching, and community outreach. We provide academic training for graduate students in Museum and Field Studies; build, conserve, and interpret research collections; and offer exhibits and educational programs for the University and the public.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Collection Manager and NAGPRA Coordinator, Anthropology Section

I. NAGPRA

Possess expert knowledge of NAGPRA law and regulations.
Serve as the primary point of contact for all NAGPRA and international repatriation inquiries seeking information about Indigenous remains and objects falling under NAGPRA regulations and other applicable laws.
Develop and implement a detailed CU NAGPRA and international repatriation policy, in coordination with CUMNH Anthropology curators, CU's NAGPRA advisory committee, legal counsel and the administration, ensuring compliance with NAGPRA and all applicable laws and policies.
Research collections on CU Boulder campus, primarily the anthropology collections at CUMNH to develop provenience and provenance information, identifying burial-related items and other potential repatriation-eligible material.
Update and manage inventories of ancestral human remains and NAGPRA-eligible objects in CU collections, compile cultural affiliation documents, and prepare Federal notices and communications.
Work closely with Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (THPO) and/or their designees to coordinate tribal access to as well as repatriation and disposition of human remains and cultural items and archaeological collections in CU's custody.
Work closely with federal agencies to update inventories and provide support for consultations as they work to follow NAGPRA.
Represent CU as lead NAGPRA staff at regular meetings with tribal government officials and representatives to coordinate compliance, address tribal concerns, and when possible, coordinate culturally sensitive resolutions.
Advance CU's NAGPRA standing through attendance at conferences and workshops, service on advisory panels, and holding office or performing relevant committee assignments in professional organizations.
Collaborate closely with the CU NAGPRA advisory committee in matters of compliance and procedure.
Develop and submit grant proposals and funding requests to support NAGPRA activities.
Administer repatriation-related budgets and purchase all necessary materials and supplies.
Establish work priorities and supervise all assigned employees to support these tasks.
Work with the curator to supervise and implement other kinds of community engagement with collections, including culturally informed care practices and ethical returns/shared stewardship.
Serve as principal officer for relevant permits and licenses and is responsible for all collections-related legal compliance activities on behalf of the museum and the university, including reporting requirements: e.g., Archaeological and Paleontological Resources Protection Acts, Endangered Species Act and various wildlife Protection Acts, Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.
Ensure accessions are legally and ethically sound transactions (i.e., incoming materials are accompanied by legal documentation, such as signed deeds of gift, all relevant permits, and provenance documentation).
Manage state and federal permits/licenses pertaining to specimen/object holdings, collecting activities, and specimen/object transport (e.g., public land permits, Dangerous Goods regulations, import/export permits, scientific collecting licenses, wildlife salvage permits), including correspondence and required reporting to relevant regulatory agencies (APHIS,DOT, CDOW, IATA, NPS, USDA, USFWS).
Manage repository agreements with state and federal agencies.
Prepare deaccessions for review by the curator and collections committee and ensure ethical disposal or transfer.

II. Curation and Collections Administration

Collections Curation and Care

Possess expert knowledge in the care and management of museum collections and expert subject area knowledge of the collection types supervised.
Manage daily curatorial needs of permanent collections and research and teaching collections, including object preparation and processing, identification, cataloging, housing, and conservation.
Review and process collections transactions (accession, loans, deaccessions, and repository agreements), ensuring strategic alignment with unit objects and compliance with local, state, federal, and international laws.
Facilitate unit projects and initiatives, including grant project implementation and management.
Ensure long-term preservation conditions of physical collections through environmental monitoring, integrated pest management, storage infrastructure, archival practices, and collections improvement activities.
Review and process collections use requests and facilitate research access (loan and exhibit proposals, research visits, destructive sampling, image rights, etc.).
Maintain accurate collection inventories, object tracking, and access control.
Work to enhance and expand collections by facilitating donations, acquisitions, and/or field collections, as appropriate, including establishing relationships with local agencies and donors or participating in fieldwork.
Maintain section archives, publications, and library, except when the archivist is present on staff - in which case, works collaboratively with curator and archivist to support their management of these.
Manage and monitor environmental, health, and safety conditions in collections and lab areas.
Prepare collection objects and data for in-person and virtual exhibitions and collaborate on social media content.
Work with building proctors to ensure the facilities are sufficient for protecting collections and staff.
Respond to emergencies that threaten the collections, e.g., protecting objects, documenting the nature and extent of damage, working with facilities management for proper cleanup actions, and facilitating conservation of collections following an emergency.
Participate in cross-departmental groups (i.e., collections committee, working groups, etc.) to accomplish collections-wide objectives.
Assist with developing, updating, and implementing section policies and procedures in collaboration with the other collections manager and under the guidance and supervision of section curators. Upon hire, will work closely with the curator(s) to revise and implement policies around shared stewardship and ethical returns.
Develop project-specific protocols and workflows for student employees.
Work with the curator and CU Counsel to ensure that policies and procedures are aligned with the University.
Manage repository agreements for Cultural Resources Management collections.
Maintain object documentation to archival and community data standards.
Help manage digitization projects, digital asset archiving, and digital asset metadata preservation in collaboration with other staff and the archivist.
Work collaboratively with other collections managers across the museum's divers sections to store and manage data and assets.
Will work with the curator to facilitate the migration of the section's collections management system from Re:discovery Proficio into Arctos.
Guide collection projects and priorities and assess short- and long-term strategic goals.
Manage purchasing activities and expense reports, continuing and grant budgets pertaining to collections, and hourly timesheets.
Participate in fiscal planning and decision-making including use of endowment funds and large monetary gifts.
Solicit external funds for the improvement of collections through grant writing.
Perform grant administration and project management, including management of grant budgets and preparation of interim and final reports for funded projects.
Prepare annual reports on unit metrics and activities.
Work with University Risk Management to ensure proper collections coverage during annual underwriting of the Fine Arts and Special Collections Insurance Policy.
Write, update, and implement emergency preparedness plans for collections.
Work with the curator to plan annual fundraising events and other museum outreach activities that involve section collections.

III.Supervision

Train and supervise Museum and Field Studies graduate assistants and collections assistants.
Recruit, train, and supervise undergraduate hourly students, graduate assistants, professional research assistants, contract staff, and volunteers.
Supervise students and visiting researchers using collections.
Work with teaching assistants and faculty using collections for lab-based courses to ensure proper care and object handling by students.

IV. Service

Host visitors and conduct tours of the collections.
Respond to information inquiries and data requests.
Provide object identifications for the general public.
Serve as a liaison with university courses, K-12 schools, and other groups.
Collaborate with the Public Section on label copy and object preparation.
Serve on museum and university committees.
Review section content on the Museum's website.
Participate in scholarly activity outside the University by attending professional meetings and serving on professional boards, task forces, and/or committees.
Review manuscripts in the individual's area of expertise.
Participate in grant review committees.
Serve as a professional mentor for Museum and Field Studies and cognate graduate students.
Give guest lectures, demonstrations, and tours to classes, students, and community members.
Give public talks and/or outreach presentations.
Provide informal education programming and curricula for K-12 school groups.
Support University courses by arranging access to collections and facilitate course loans.
May teach and/or assist curators with classes, including museum practicum and independent study hours. Teaching responsibilities must be approved by the museum director and the curators, and duties must not conflict with the collections management obligations of the section.

V. Hazardous Materials and Biohazard Management

Be responsible for office and collections safety, conduct training, and develop protocols relating to proper care, handling and processing of biohazardous material and contaminated objects (e.g., specimens, heavy metals and pesticides applied to conditions).
Maintain an inventory of chemicals used/stored in collections areas, manage hazardous waste generated in collections spaces in compliance with University EHS Regulations.
Maintain required EHS trainings and certifications for working with collections supervised (e.g. laboratory safety, biohazardous materials and waste generation, pathogens and zoonotic disease, radiation, and federally classed Dangerous Goods), and manage required EHS training and compliance for section students, staff, and volunteers.

What You Should Know

This is a full-time position with regular hours from Monday - Friday.
This will be an on-site position.

What We Can Offer

The hiring range for this position is $60,000 - $62,000.

Benefits

The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder.

Be Statements

Be ambitious. Be groundbreaking. Be Boulder.

What We Require

Master's degree in Museum Studies or related field, or an area of section expertise and collection focus.
One year of experience in museum operations and collections.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.

What You Will Need

Knowledge of care and management of natural history collections, including cataloging & accessioning specimens, processing loans, regulations & permits affecting collections, environmental monitoring, occupational health & safety protocols, electronic database, Microsoft Office and imaging/digitization software, and collection research methods.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

A current resume.
A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.

We may request references at a later time.
Please apply by 2/6/2025 for consideration.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs.
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

To apply, visit https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/Collections-Manager-and-NAGPRA-Coordinator-Anthropology-Section/61928