Department: Museum of Natural and Cultural History
Rank: Research Assistant (Type C)
Annual Basis: 12 Month

Review of Applications Begins

March 6, 2023; position open until filled (revised)

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with your online application, please upload:
• A current resume
• A cover letter that directly addresses how your skills and experience match the duties and responsibilities of the position as described in the position summary.

Department Summary

As an essential partner in the University’s educational, research, and public service mission, the University of Oregon Museum of Natural and Cultural History (MNCH) enhances knowledge of Earth’s environments and cultures, inspiring stewardship of our collective past, present, and future.

The museum is a center of interdisciplinary research and education, serving the State of Oregon, the University of Oregon, Native American Tribes, the research community, K-12 students and teachers, and the wider public in Oregon and beyond.

An established major engine of archaeological research in the American West, the museum’s Archaeological Research Division works across the state on dozens of archaeological projects each year. The MNCH is also the State of Oregon’s official repository for publicly owned collections and is home to hundreds of thousands of ethnographic and archaeological objects, fossils, and biological specimens from Oregon and around the world. The museum annually welcomes more than 30,000 visitors and serves another 200,000 Oregonians through its statewide educational programs. A winner of the 2018 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the museum is fully accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, distinguishing it as one of the very best museums in the nation.

The Museum employs a staff of approximately 40 faculty, researchers, classified, administrative, and student employees across several facilities on the University of Oregon, Eugene campus. Annual expenditures are about $3 million, from dozens of funding sources and allocated among a variety of projects across four museum divisions.

Position Summary

As a key member of UO MNCH Archaeological Research Division (a.k.a the Oregon State Museum of Anthropology/OSMA), you will work as part of a project team responsible for conducting historic resource research to assist state and municipal agencies with cultural resource management (CRM) obligations. Key functions include conducting field investigations, collecting field data, contributing to sponsor deliverables (including technical reports), and documenting cultural resources with appropriate Oregon State Historic Preservation Office forms. You may also manage portions of larger projects under the supervision of a project manager.

Minimum Requirements

• A Master’s degree in architectural history, historic preservation, or a closely related field;
AND
• Meet the professional historic preservation qualification standards set by both the Secretary of the Interior and the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office.

Professional Competencies

• Proficient writing skills
• Ability to adapt to change and approach work with flexibility
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to build and maintain relationships and work effectively with colleagues, faculty, staff, and students from a variety of diverse backgrounds
• Effective communication skills
• Demonstrated commitment to high standards of work product, confidentiality, and integrity

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with CRM policies in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest
• Knowledge of and experience with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act
• Familiarity with National Register of Historic Places eligibility criteria
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite or similar office productivity software (Google Docs/Sheets)
• Fieldwork travel (up to 50%)

University of Oregon students and employees are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. For additional information see: https://hr.uoregon.edu/uo-covid-19-vaccination-requirement-employee-process.

The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit http://hr.uoregon.edu/careers/about-benefits.

The University of Oregon is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the ADA. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply, and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please contact us at uocareers@uoregon.edu or 541-346-5112.

UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, Office of Civil Rights Compliance, or to the Office for Civil Rights. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed on the statement of non-discrimination.

In compliance with federal law, the University of Oregon prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and services. The Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://clery.uoregon.edu/annual-campus-security-and-fire-safety-report.