NAGPRA Specialist

Full-Time | Archaeology Southwest, Tucson, AZ In partnership with the Bureau of Indian Affairs Project Term: 3 Years Archaeology Southwest (ASW) seeks one full‑time Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) Specialist to support the multi‑year NAGPRA program conducted in partnership with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). The NAGPRA Specialist supports BIA trust responsibility for cultural resources and statutory obligations under NAGPRA. In accord with the mission of the Office of Trust Services (OTS) and the Branch of Cultural Resources Management (BCRM), the NAGPRA Specialist strengthens BIA capacities in ensuring respectful stewardship, Tribal self‑determination, and compliance with federal cultural resource statutes and regulations. The NAGPRA Specialist works as a member of the NAGPRA Team, providing technical assistance to BIA’s national program through a Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) agreement with Archaeology Southwest to support BIA’s legal and regulatory responsibilities under 25 U.S.C. §3001 et seq. and 43 CFR Part 10. Duties include following guidance from Tribes regarding duty of care and creating inventories and action plans for BIA‑controlled Ancestral Remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony at museums and repositories across the United States. All work follows BCRM guidance, advances BIA’s NAGPRA compliance goals, and assists Tribal Nations in reclaiming their Ancestors and belongings. Position Summary The NAGPRA Specialist assists with on‑site inventories, documentation, meetings, consultations, background research, and reporting. The NAGPRA Specialist reports to the NAGPRA Program Director. The work requires travel, communication and close cooperation with Tribal Nations, work with museum and repository representatives, a background in understanding collections handling and NAGPRA practices, and consistent adherence to cultural protocols and Federal regulations. Inventories, when requested, will be completed in person. Meetings and consultations take place both in person (~25%) and virtually (~75%). Key Responsibilities Participate and act on the results of respectful, culturally sensitive consultations and inventories of Ancestral Remains and cultural items at up to 22 repositories Document and organize catalog information, field notes, archival materials, photographs, and related records Digitize and scan documents, support metadata creation and data management Prepare and circulate draft consultation and meeting notes Prepare digital inventory lists following BIA format and Museum Program standards Draft monthly CESU progress reports for review by NAGPRA Director Draft supporting documents for Federal Register notices Contribute to annual and final (October 2029) program reports Maintain strict confidentiality of all BIA‑controlled materials Minimum Qualifications B.A. in Anthropology, Archaeology, Museum Studies, or related field (M.A. preferred) Experience with museum anthropology collections (archaeological collections preferred) Ability to respectfully handle Ancestral Remains in accord with Tribal guidance Strong organizational, teamwork, and communication Demonstrated expertise with Word, Excel, and one or more database management applications Ability to repeatedly lift and transport boxes and other objects weighing up to 40 pounds Ability to travel frequently for multi‑day or multi‑week assignments Preferred Qualifications Experience with NAGPRA work, Tribal consultation, and culturally sensitive collections Experience working in partnership with Native American Nations or communities Bioarcheological or osteological training and experience, including communication regarding Ancestral Remains, MNI, and skeletal assessments in a culturally respectful manner Familiarity with museum databases and catalog systems, archives, and scanning/metadata protocols Position based at Archaeology Southwest headquarters, Tucson, Arizona Work locations to include museum and repository environments, with schedules and access dependent on museum and repository staff and space Some Museums and Repositories Where Work May Occur Nebraska State Historical Society (Lincoln, NE) American Museum of Natural History (New York, NY) Harvard University Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology (Cambridge, MA) Southern Illinois University Carbondale (Carbondale, IL) Fowler Museum at University of California Los Angeles (Los Angeles, CA) Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Repository (Towaoc, CO) University of Colorado Boulder (Boulder, CO) Canyon of the Ancients (Delores, CO) Security & Confidentiality All data remains BIA property and may not be shared outside ASW or BIA. Strict confidentiality and secure handling of materials are required. Salary range is $58,000–$63,000, with actual pay rate to be based on experience. Travel is either covered at or reimbursed at cost, up to amounts set in federal GSA per diem rates. A full benefits package is offered, including employer‑paid group life insurance, short and long‑term disability, paid time off (200 hours with additional hours each year), health insurance, free employee vision plan, optional dental plan (50% subsidized), 401k plan with 20% employer match and an annual professional development budget. #J-18808-Ljbffr Archaeology Southwest