Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act Specialist

About this Opportunity

The Applied Anthropology Laboratories is a highly productive research and outreach Institute within the College of Sciences and Humanities that engages current undergraduate and graduate students hands-on in learning the real work of their discipline to prepare them for productive careers. We are dedicated respectful engagement with American Indian Tribal Nations to facilitate appropriate interpretation of Native culture and appropriate care of historical collections of Native belongings, including repatriation to culturally or geographically affiliated Federally Recognized Tribes. We seek professional dedicated to the principles of community engagement to help us complete the consultation and repatriation process for Native American collections currently housed in the David Owsley Museum of Art. Learn. Work. Discover.

Our Statement on Inclusiveness

At Ball State University, inclusiveness is one of the enduring values and informs all of our work. We define ‘inclusiveness’ as a commitment ‘to respect and embrace equity, inclusion, and diversity in people, ideas, and opinions.’ As such, this value incorporates a commitment to inclusive excellence and freedom of expression.

Benefits and Community: Ball State University offers an excellent benefits package for eligible positions. Click here to explore options.

Affordable Healthcare

Retirement

Tuition Remission (For eligible employees, their dependents, and spouse)

Paid Parental Leave

Professional Development

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https://www.bsu.edu/about/live-near-your-work

FLSA: Administrative Exemption

Hrs/Week: 40

Length of Assignment: Full-Time At-Will

Position Function

Ball State University (BSU), Applied Anthropology Laboratories (AAL), seeks a heritage management or cultural preservation professional with experience in NAGPRA compliance and consultation to serve as a NAGPRA Specialist to manage compliance with NAGPRA for collections housed in the David Owsley Museum of Art (DOMA). The primary responsibilities of the NAGPRA Specialist will be to conduct the actions necessary for consultation on, and ultimately facilitating repatriation and disposition of >400 Native American cultural items held by DOMA to affiliated Federally Recognized American Indian Tribal Nations, as specified under federal law.

The NAGPRA Specialist must have prior training or experience with NAGPRA compliance, and preferably extensive experience developing relationships with representatives of Tribal governments, and engaging in consultation and/or collaboration with Tribal government representatives. Prior experience with Culturally Affiliated collections under NAGPRA is preferred. The NAGPRA Specialist must be able to communicate with a large number of professional representatives with diverse roles in their respective tribes. A key function of the NAGPRA Specialist involves strengthening trust and relationships between BSU and representatives of Tribal Nations. Prior experience with cultural sovereignty issues and knowledge of the legal status and structure of Tribal Nation governments is preferred.

NAGPRA Specialist reports to the AAL Director, and will work directly with DOMA and AAL staff to complete compliance tasks.

Remote work or hybrid work arrangements will be considered. Many tasks can be performed remotely. However, there are specified duties that will require physical presence on Ball State campus.

This position is grant funded and the individual hired will have an at will assignment. This posting is for an appointment through December 2023, but this position is potentially renewable dependent upon funding and performance.

Minimum Education

Bachelor’s degree in archaeology, anthropology, museum studies, or related subject or an associate degree with two years full time direct experience or four (4) years full time direct experience working on NAGPRA compliance and/or consultation with Tribal Nation representatives may substitute in lieu of a degree.

Minimum Experience

Knowledge of and demonstrated experience with diverse American Indian Tribal protocols, customs, traditions, cultures and governmental relations.

Minimum Other
* Knowledge of museum collections management and curation methods.
* Knowledge of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and key cultural resource laws that require consultation with or which entail impact(s) on Tribal Nations and Native cultural sovereignty.
* Knowledge of the principles of government-to-government consultation and sovereignty with respect to Federally Recognized Tribes.
* Ability to operate technical equipment related to the discipline; particularly spreadsheet and database management and organization.
* Must be able to plan, organize, and schedule activities in information dense environments.
* Demonstrated ability to maintain detailed, accurate, and orderly records.

Authorization to work in the US
Candidates for searches must have current authorization to be employed in the U.S. without employer sponsorship.

Preferred Experience
* 6 months or more experience with work that involves Tribal consultation, for example compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) or NAGPRA compliance and consultation.
* Experience handling and/or curating museum collections, art, and/or artifacts, strongly preferred.
* Demonstrated ability and willingness to educate stakeholders and the public about NAGPRA in non-specialist terms.

Preferred Other
* Comfortable physically handling Native American cultural items, sacred objects, and other NAGPRA-related items (potentially including funerary objects) for purposes of proper care, documentation (as needed), and custody transfers.
* Demonstrated political acumen and ability to communicate with diverse constituents; strong facilitation skills.

Pre-Employment Screening
Requires successful completion of a background check and education verification.

Position Title(s) Supervised

On-Call Archaeological Technician, student employees, interns

EEO Statement

Ball State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that is strongly and actively committed to diversity within its community. Women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other legally protected status.

About Ball State University

Ball State University is located in Muncie, Indiana, on an attractive campus 45 miles northeast of Indianapolis. Approximately 22,000 graduate and undergraduate students enroll in one of eight academic colleges that offer 120 undergraduate programs. We offer more than 140 master’s, doctoral, certificate, and specialist degrees, with many of them ranking among the best in the nation. We engage students in educational, research, and creative endeavors that empower our graduates to have fulfilling careers and meaningful lives enriched by lifelong learning and service, while we enhance the economic, environmental, and social vitality of our community, our state, and our world.

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IN Indiana

Department: Applied Anthropology Laboratories:700055

Department Email or Phone Number
aal@bsu.edu

Posting Number: 202301332P

Number of Vacancies: 1

Desired Start Date: 07/17/2023

Position End Date (if temporary): 12/31/2023

Open Date: 07/03/2023

Applications Accepted Through Date: 07/16/2023

Open Until Filled: No

Information regarding transcripts
The option to upload transcripts is available. Original, official transcripts showing the highest related degree earned is required at the time of hire (even if obtained at BSU). Degree verification will be conducted.

Special Instructions Summary

Submit your resume with a cover letter documenting your relevant experience and approach to consultation and collaboration with Tribal Nations. Where possible, upload supporting documents such as transcripts, prior job descriptions, certifications or other relevant documents. Please use the “Resume” and “Other” options to upload supporting documents. Please contact Dr. Nolan (kcnolan@bsu or aal@bsu.edu) with any questions about the position or application process. Application review will begin two weeks after initial posting and continue until the position is filled. Be sure to include detailed information about qualifying education and/or experience to guarantee appropriate consideration of all applications.

Information for Applications Requiring a Cover Letter

In support of your application for this position, please prepare and submit a cover letter that describes how your qualifications and experiences align with the elements of the position description (or leadership profile). In your cover letter, please also describe how you have demonstrated a commitment to our University’s enduring values, including inclusiveness, which we define as a commitment ‘to respect and embrace equity, inclusion, and diversity in people, ideas, and opinions.’

Duties & Responsibilities

• Ranking: 1
  Ensure DOMA complies with all aspects of NAGPRA legislation.
• Ranking: 2
  Serve as the primary liaison between Ball State University and representatives of Tribal governments and/or National NAGPRA program staff with respect to the DOMA Native American collections.
• Ranking: 3
  Create and maintain inventories and adhere to varied Tribal/NHO requests regarding the care and storage of specific objects. Develop and maintain a system to track varied responses and completion of required actions.
• Ranking: 4
  Prepare and disseminate NAGPRA Summary of Cultural Items to all Federally Recognized Tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations.
• Ranking: 5
  Prepare and submit Notices of Intent to Repatriate, and other NAGPRA documents as needed, for publication in the Federal Register.
• Ranking: 6
  Ensure that consultations, publication of notices, and repatriations are concluded in a thorough but timely manner.
• Ranking: 7
  Work with DOMA and AAL staff to review pertinent paper and electronic records, update records, and compile cultural affiliation documents to ensure NAGPRA-relevant materials are included in NAGPRA Summary of Cultural Items.
• Ranking: 8
  Assist in resolving cataloging issues; verifying objects of cultural patrimony, sacred objects, and unassociated funerary objects in the NAGPRA Summary; and leading collections reviews when requested by Tribal governments or Native Hawaiian Organizations .
• Ranking: 9
  Maintain detailed records of correspondence, discussions, consultations, and requests for information from/with Tribal Nations and National NAGPRA. Requires detail orientation and the ability to track and make progress on multiple collections with multiple Tribal Nations simultaneously.
• Ranking: 10
  Perform other related duties as assigned.