Association of Academic Museums and Galleries

Description: The Office of Repatriation at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK), invites applications for a NAGPRA (Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act) Coordinator position.

The NAGPRA Coordinator will report to the Director of Repatriation and assist with work under the purview of NAGPRA. This exempt position is full-time with a salary range of $45,000 – $50,000 per year, based on degree of experience. The NAGPRA Coordinator will ideally be a good listener, culturally-aware, willing to learn, and highly organized.

Duties and responsibilities of the NAGPRA Coordinator include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Helps with consultation efforts with Native American Tribes and establishes effective collaborative relationships with Tribal and campus partners;
• Prepares summary reports and edits NAGPRA reports generated by the project archaeologist and bioarchaeologist;
• Conducts in-depth cultural affiliation research and writes cultural affiliation reports;
• Aids the Director of Repatriation in drafting Notices for submission to the Federal Register;
• Helps rehouse ancestral human remains and NAGPRA objects in culturally sensitive ways and materials and helps manage repatriation logistics as directed;
• Maintains a strong records management schedule with frequent database updates;
• Collaborates with the Director to develop and maintain the budget;
• Creates orders, coordinates deliveries, and manages supplies;
• Schedules travel and meeting opportunities;
• Provides clerical support for the Director and the UTK NAGPRA Committee as needed;
• May help develop, prepare, and coordinate grant applications and grant-related activities to obtain funding for NAGPRA projects and related work;
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Applicants should have a proven understanding of the federal Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA – 25 U.S.C. §§ 3001-13) and its accompanying regulations (43 C.F.R. §§ 10.1-.17) is required. At least a year of museum collections management experience is required. A bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, Museum Studies, Native American Studies, Historic Preservation, or other related field is required. Three years of direct experience working on NAGPRA compliance may substitute in lieu of a degree.
• Preferred experience includes at least one year of experience working on NAGPRA compliance projects; at least one year of experience working with Tribal Nations on NAGPRA consultations or other projects; basic experience with respectfully handling ancestral remains and funerary objects; at least three years of experience with the archaeology and ethnohistory of the Southeast; at least three years of museums/collections management experience with a repatriation or archaeology focus; at least one year of experience working with federal and legacy collections; and a masters’ degree in Anthropology, Museum Studies, Native American Studies, Historic Preservation, or other related fields.
• The NAGPRA Coordinator must possess knowledge of NAGPRA law and regulations, demonstrate the ability to read and analyze NAGPRA documents, and interpret and implement NAGPRA policies. The position requires a solid background in office technology, including knowledge of computers and software applications such as Microsoft Office, Adobe, and related programs and technologies. The successful candidate must be able to work and make decisions independently, adapt quickly, and multitask effectively. Additional attributes should include excellent communication skills, strong attention to detail, a positive attitude, flexibility, the ability and willingness to function as a member of a team, openness to diverse viewpoints, tact and discretion with sensitive matters, and a strong work ethic.
• A small amount of travel and occasional night and weekend work may be required. Remote work is not available for this role.

Application Instructions

Please submit a letter of interest, CV or resume, and a list of the names of three references and their contact information through the UTK Human Resources online Taleo system. Please contact Mr. Zachary Garrett, Search Committee Chair, with any questions. (zgarret2 (at) utk.edu) Review of applications will begin on August 1, 2023. Desired start date is November 1, 2023, or December 4, 2023, although some flexibility is possible. 

The University and Region

UTK  is the state’s flagship, land-grant university. We are a Research 1 university with 11 colleges and more than 30,000 students. The city of Knoxville is a growing, vibrant community with a beautiful and walkable downtown, a diverse music scene including internationally recognized festivals, active neighborhoods, unique restaurants, and a robust offering of diverse cultural and outdoor activities. UTK is within easy driving distance to the Great Smoky Mountains, Atlanta, Nashville, Asheville, Charlotte, Louisville, and Cincinnati. It is only a day’s drive to Memphis, Chicago, and Washington D.C.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admission without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law. In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its educational programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the university. Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, and national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), ADA (disability), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Office of Equity and Diversity, 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN, 37996-3560, telephone 865-974-2498. Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at the Office of Equity and Diversity.