The University of Denver Department of Anthropology within the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences offers undergraduate and graduate programs (MA) in archaeology, cultural anthropology, and museum and heritage studies that draw on a spectrum of research practices. The department focuses on public anthropology, applying the discipline’s concepts, methods, and insights to addressing problems and issues of contemporary relevance.

The Anthropology Department manages the University of Denver Museum of Anthropology (DUMA) which is dedicated to increasing knowledge and understanding of world cultures and human diversity. The Museum emphasizes the ethical stewardship of collections, research, teaching, educational programming, and responsible community engagement. The Museum acknowledges that colonial legacies are embedded in anthropological collections. It strives to address historical wrongs by building collaborative, reciprocal relationships and respecting the rights and cultural protocol of communities represented in the collection.

Position Summary

The NAGPRA Manager and Registrar is responsible for the University of Denver’s compliance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), as well as all local, state, and federal laws pertaining to the ethical care of museum collections. The NAGPRA Manager oversees registration of DUMA’s collection, including documentation of all acquisitions, deaccessions, and loans, as well as other collections across the University. The position serves as a resource and mentor to Department of Anthropology and DU faculty, students and community members on professional museology and NAGPRA compliance, speaking in courses and supervising student workers and volunteers. In collaboration with other DUMA staff, the NAGPRA Manager and Registrar develops, designs and executes exhibits in the DUMA gallery as well as associated programming. The NAGPRA Manager plays an integral role in the overall functioning of DUMA, including the education and training of students. This position is located with the Anthropology Department, but also serves in a campus wide capacity to facilitate the University’s compliance with NAGPRA.

Essential Functions

• Promote awareness of and education about NAGPRA within the University and the broader community.
• In consultation with DU’s Office of Enterprise Risk Management, Office of General Counsel, and Office of the Provost, oversee legal aspects of collections across campus, including:
  • Create and maintain campus wide inventory of human remains and sacred and ceremonial items subject to NAGPRA
  • Accessioning and deaccessioning of collections
  • Monitoring loans
• Manages DUMA’s compliance with NAGPRA, including:
  • Cultivate and maintain positive and productive relationships with tribes
  • Proactively carry out ongoing NAGPRA responsibilities for DUMA collections
  • Work with the National NAGPRA Program on documenting compliance activities including updating inventories and summaries, publishing Notices of Inventory Completion and Intended Repatriation, and submitting repatriation statements.
  • Notify tribes of DUMA NAGPRA actions, including Federal Register publications.
  • Respond to tribal inquires for DUMA collections information and consultation requests.
  • Manage NAGPRA budget, including grant funds, research funding opportunities and write grant proposals for NAGPRA activities.
  • Review and revise DUMA NAGPRA policies.
  • Ensure the ethical stewardship of collections in accordance with specific tribal cultural protocol related to the storage and care of NAGPRA collections.
  • Maintain NAGPRA museum records.
• In collaboration with DUMA staff:
  • Oversee museum collection database and permanent files.
  • Assist with museum collection management.
  • Help manage and execute the installation of exhibits in the DUMA gallery as well as traveling exhibits with DU staff and students.
  • Help manage and instruct student workers and volunteers on exhibit installation techniques.
  • Help supervise, teach and mentor students in museum activities and professional practice.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to read and analyze NAGPRA documents and interpret and implement NAGPRA policies.
• Commitment to keeping abreast of NAGPRA related literature and developments within anthropology, museum studies and related fields.
• Strong analytical writing and research skills with attention to detail and accuracy and the ability to synthesize multiple lines of information.
• Ability to work independently as well as within a team environment.
• Ability to manage multiple project timetables.
• Knowledge of museum collections management systems and museum cataloguing procedures and descriptive standards.
• An understanding of historic and contemporary approaches to museum collections and indigeneity and anthropological research practices and methodologies.
• Competency in building and effectively managing interpersonal relationships with a wide array of internal and external stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Anthropology, Museum Collections, or closely related field.
• Three to five years of experience working with institutions or tribal nations on collections-related ethical and legal commitments.
• Experience working with NAGPRA and its associated regulations.
• Experience working with Native American collections.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with Past Perfect or other collections management database
• Five or more years of experience working with institutions or tribal nations on collections-related ethical and legal commitments.
• Experience with Adobe Suite
• Experience working with students.

Working Environment

1. Standard office environment.
2. Unexpected interruptions occur often and stress level is moderate to high.
3. Noise level is quiet to moderate.

Physical Activities

1. Ability to sit in front of a computer for an extended period of time.
2. Ability to sit or stand in front of a room for an extended period of time.
3. Occasionally required to move about the office/campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 20 lbs.

Work Schedule
Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Application Deadline
For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) December 2nd, 2024.

Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number:
The salary grade for the position is 10.

Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $61,000-$71,000.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

Benefits:
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:
1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.