Department: Museum of Natural and Cultural History
Rank: Research Assistant
Annual Basis: 12 Month
Salary: $22.12 - $24.04/hr
Review of Applications Begins
June 24, 2024; position open until filled
Special Instructions to Applicants
Please upload a current resume and cover letter that addresses how your skills and experience meet the minimum and, if applicable, preferred qualifications.
We encourage you to apply, even if you don’t think you meet every one of our preferred qualifications--use your application to let us know what excites you about the role and what transferable skills or other qualities you would bring.
In your online application, please include 3 professional references that can speak to your skills and abilities. Applicants will be notified before references are contacted.
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 20,000 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
The NAGPRA Program Specialist (Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act) follows policies and procedures outlined in UO MNCH Collections policies, Code of Ethics, and aligns with UO, state, and federal guidelines and regulations. The NAGPRA Program Specialist is responsible for maintaining and updating NAGPRA- and human remains-related documentation, consulting with tribes, and following all federal guidelines. This position researches and implements current archival and preventive conservation best practices to ensure long-term preservation of collections, manages their documentation, and facilitates access, balancing access and preservation needs. This position works closely with the Director of Anthropological Collections and the Assistant Director of Anthropological Collections. The Assistant Director of Anthropological Collections assigns and evaluates registrar duties and the Director of Anthropological Collections assigns and evaluates NAGPRA-related duties. The NAGPRA Program Specialist reports to the Director of Anthropological Collections.
This position needs to have a commitment to equity and inclusion.
Minimum Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree in museum studies, anthropology, or other similar field.
• Experience working with museum collections and Tribes.
• Experience with collections preservation, handling, storage, and security.
• At least two (2) years of experience with ethnographic collections including object handling and records-management.
Professional Competencies
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate with individuals and organizations from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Clear understanding of museum ethics and best practices.
• Detail-oriented.
• Excellent time-management skills.
• Ability to work across several projects.
• Experience or ability to learn collections management systems.
• Experience or ability to learn in archival record keeping.
Preferred Qualifications
• Master's in museum studies, anthropology, or other similar field.
• Advanced knowledge of legal and ethical standards for stewarding anthropological and archaeological collections.
• At least two (2) years of experience successfully working with Tribes in Oregon and/or the Pacific Northwest.
• Experience with and knowledge of general archaeological terminology.
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.