The Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens (CMCDG) at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) seeks a NAGPRA Coordinator to oversee consultations, repatriations, and other activities associated with ensuring the Museum’s compliance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). We seek a dynamic professional with a deep understanding of NAGPRA and strong relationships with tribal communities to help steward the CMCDG’s NAGPRA efforts. UTEP and the CMCDG are strongly committed to: fulfilling the ethical and legal requirements of NAGPRA; fostering strong collaborative relationships with Native American communities; the respectful curation of Indigenous cultural collections; and the repatriation of ancestral human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony as specified in 43 CFR Part 10.

The NAGPRA Coordinator will work closely with the CMCDG’s Director and collection staff on activities necessary for the repatriation of human remains and cultural objects to Native American descendant communities.

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.

Conducts public outreach programs and participates in educational events.

Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Complies with all State and University policies.

Other duties may be assigned.

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: Doctorate degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, History, American Studies, Museum Studies, or Native American or Indigenous Studies.

and

Experience: No years of experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Knowledge of statistical concepts and methods and their application to research analysis; of measurement, testing, and evaluation; and of research methods, principles, techniques, and philosophies. Skilled in conducting qualitative and quantitative research and in using computers, software, and statistical tools and programs. Ability to plan, organize, and oversee research projects, evaluate research data, ensure the development of measuring instruments with respect to reliability, relevance, and validity, interpret and publish research findings, and communicate effectively.

Preferred Qualifications:

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 descent communities and caring for culturally significant objects

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

Experience conducting consultations with Native American Tribes; strong interpersonal skills in working with diverse communities.

Expertise in the archaeology of the Indigenous US Southwest.

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.

Demonstrated computer proficiency with museum collections databases and Microsoft Suite.

Demonstrated experience in successful project management, meeting deadlines, and working collaboratively as part of a team of museum professionals.

Demonstrated highly skilled communication and interpersonal skills to communicate both verbally and in writing.

Ability to perform work to quality, timeliness, and ethical standards while working independently and with a variety of individuals, groups, and organizations.

Additional qualifications may include equivalent training, education or experience with traditional Tribal Elders, Tribal Cultural Departments and Historians, or Tribal Historic Preservation Officers.

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 10 pounds.

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.