Senior Coordinator - Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act

Senior Coordinator - Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act

Job ID: 12644
Location: El Paso, TX
Full/Part Time: Full Time
Regular/Temporary: $RegTemp

About UTEP

UTEP is a comprehensive public research university that is increasing access to excellent higher education. We advance discovery of public value and positively impact the health, culture, education, and economy of the community we serve.

The University of Texas at El Paso is America's leading Hispanic-serving university. Located at the westernmost tip of Texas, where three states and two countries converge along the Rio Grande, 84% of our 24,000 students are Hispanic, and more than half are the first in their families to go to college. UTEP offers 172 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs at the only open-access, top-tier research university in America.

About the Department

The Centennial Museum is an academic support and outreach unit of The University of Texas at El Paso focusing primarily on the natural and cultural history of the Chihuahuan Desert. It promotes and shares knowledge and understanding of the natural diversity of the region and its people. The museum meets its responsibilities through the presentation and curation of the permanent collections, including the Chihuahuan Desert Gardens. Furthermore, the museum promotes the scholarly research of UTEP students, faculty, and alumni, and supports the general mission of The University of Texas at El Paso.

Position Information

Hiring Department: Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens

Posting End Date: Open until filled.

Hours: 40 hours per week, standard Monday- Friday 8:00am- 5:00pm, flexibility is required on evenings and weekends

FLSA status: Exempt

Earliest Start Date: As soon as possible.

Salary: Starting at $46,550 annually; Commensurate with experience.

Required Application Materials:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of three references

Note: This is a temporary position and subject to availability of funds.

The primary accountabilities are intended to describe the general content of and requirements of this position and are not intended to be an exhaustive statement of duties. Incumbents may perform all or some of the primary accountabilities listed. Specific tasks or responsibilities will be documented in the incumbents' performance objectives as outlined by the incumbents' immediate supervisor or manager. This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code §51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information. A valid driver's license issued by the State where the applicant resides and insurability as defined in UTS 157 may be required to perform the position's essential functions.



Purpose of Position

Summary:This is a temporary position for the academic year 2024-2025, including Summer 2025, with a possibility of renewal depending on funding. The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) Coordinator will work closely with the Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens (CMCDG)'s Director and collection staff on activities necessary for the repatriation of human remains and cultural objects to Native American descendant communities.

In addition to the professional requirements listed below, the person hired to fill this position must be culturally aware, a good listener with excellent verbal and written communication skills, and highly organized with attention to detail and accuracy.

Essential Functions

Serves as a liaison between the CMCDG and representatives of Native American Communities, the National NAGPRA program and other federal and state agencies.

Responds to requests for information from Native American representatives and coordinates scheduling of consultations, visits to collections, and repatriations/dispositions.

Compiles and reviews cultural affiliation documents and inventories, prepares Federal notices and communications.

Works 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 the CMCDG's custody.

Oversees NAGPRA records and documentation. Researches records to enhance documentation of NAGPRA-relevant collections.

Works with staff to ensure that NAGPRA records are complete, well-maintained, and up to date.

Works with Museum staff in the development, refinement, and implementation of NAGPRA policies and procedures.

Assists Director and curators in the development and submission of grant proposals and funding requests to support NAGPRA activities, appropriate curation of Native American collections, and the continual funding of the NAGPRA Coordinator position.

Works with curators and collection staff in preparing for repatriation/disposition and site visits.

Knowledge of all Microsoft Office software and able to learn and use institutional software systems.

Complies with all State and University policies.

Other duties may be assigned.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Required Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor's degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, History, American Studies, Museum Studies, or Native American or Indigenous Studies

and

Experience: Three years of related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience with NAGPRA compliance, tribal consultation, and/or working with descendent communities; or working with American Indian tribes to repatriate NAGPRA related or other items of cultural significance or working with descendent communities and caring for culturally significant objects.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master's degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, History, American Studies, Museum Studies, or Native American or Indigenous Studies.

Experience conducting consultations with Native American Tribes.

Experience identifying, analyzing, organizing and/or managing Native American artifacts, human remains, and associated funerary objects.

Applicants Should Demonstrate:

Strong interpersonal skills in working with diverse communities

Expertise in applied ethnography

Knowledge of the archaeology of the Indigenous US Southwest

Equivalent training, education or experience with traditional Tribal Elders, Tribal Cultural Departments and Historians, or Tribal Historic Preservation Officers.

Demonstrated knowledge of archaeological collections and field, laboratory, and analytical methods and terminology.

Experience with collections care and management in a museum, academic, or other research environment informed by museum standards and Indigenous perspectives and work with archaeological collections and associated archival records.

Additional Information

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee must frequently stand and walk. The employee must regularly sit; use hands to feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee must lift and move up to 50pounds.

The noise level for this work environment is usually moderate.

In keeping with its access, excellence and impact mission, The University of Texas at El Paso is committed to an open, diverse, and inclusive learning and working environment that honors the talents, respects the differences, and nurtures the growth and development of all. We seek to attract faculty and staff who share our commitment.

The University of Texas at El Paso is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or sexual orientation and gender in employment or the provision of services in accordance with state and federal law. Discrimination on the basis of sex includes an employee's or prospective employee's right to be free from sexual harassment under Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972.

For accommodation information for employees and applicants with disabilities, please contact UTEP's Equal Opportunity Office at eoaa@utep.edu.


To apply, visit https://zahr-prd-candidate-ada.utshare.utsystem.edu/psp/ZAHRPRDADA/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=2&JobOpeningId=12644&PostingSeq=1

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