NAGPRA Coordinator

Job Summary

The University of Utah seeks to hire a Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) coordinator who will represent University of Utah as the primary point of contact for NAGPRA implementation.

This position will have two primary loci of work - the Natural History Museum of Utah (NHMU), an entity equivalent to a college within the university system, and the broader university as a whole. NHMU has been, and continues to be, compliant with its obligations under NAGPRA. The successful applicant will work collaboratively with staff (as articulated below) to continue concerted repatriation efforts. The University of Utah as a whole requires a more cohesive effort to develop an inventory across entities (e.g. schools, departments, libraries, etc.), engage in consultation with relevant Tribal nations, pursue duty of care agreements, and conduct any necessary repatriations.

The following job description articulates responsibilities across these two loci of work at the university. The successful applicant will have a physical work space in the Research Administration Building and will have a space to work at the NHMU.

Responsibilities
NHMU-specific responsibility:
• Work in close collaboration with NHMU records manager, collections manager, and curators to review NAGPRA related records and materials in order to:
o Assess possible cultural and geographic affiliation in advance of Tribal consultation
o Write summaries and cultural and/or geographic affiliation reports, "Notices of Inventory Completion," and "Notices of Intent to Repatriate" for compliance with NAGPRA
o Coordinate with state and federal agencies with reposits at NHMU to facilitate their compliance with NAGPRA regulations
o Investigate land ownership at time of collection of NAGPRA eligible items to ascertain responsible party
• Initiate and conduct consultation with appropriate tribal communities to ensure continued compliance with duty of care and facilitate repatriation of NAGPRA materials
• Oversee/manage logistics and facilitation of repatriations
• Attend NHMU Indigenous Advisory Council meetings
• Serve as a member of the NHMU NAGPRA Community of Practice
• Track and communicate NAGPRA deadlines and timelines with NHMU collections staff to facilitate continued compliance with NAGPRA

University of Utah focus of work:
• Manage inventories for collections and/or holdings of ancestral human remains and NAGPRA-eligible objects in UofU, as well as collections of material and digital artifacts held at UofU
• Review and compile cultural and/or geographic affiliation documents and prepare Federal notices and communications
• Manage claims involving repatriation and other appropriate disposition
• Engage, as necessary, the assistance of appropriate subject matter experts, identified in consultation with potentially affiliated Tribe(s)
• Serve as NAGPRA liaison between the University, tribal nations, the National NAGPRA program and other federal and state agencies and/or county officials
• Collaborate to convene tribal community partners to regularly inform, provide updates, and provide a direct line of communication for NAGPRA-related items
• Communicate with required entities to ensure UofU and the NHMU complies with NAGPRA regulations
• Write summaries and cultural and/or geographic affiliation reports "Notices of Inventory Completion," and "Notices of Intent to Repatriate" for compliance with NAGPRA.
• Serve as the primary point of Tribal contact for all NAGPRA inquiries seeking information about UofU collections with Native American remains and NAGPRA-eligible cultural objects determined in federal and state regulations.
• Act as a Tribal Consultation Facilitator-Agent for UofU collections/inventory by seeking out and fostering relationships and establishing direct lines of communication with designated Tribal Representatives, such as tribal historic preservation officers (THPOs), Cultural Preservation Offices (CPO), Cultural Advisory Boards (CABS) cultural directors, elders councils, preservation or culture committees, and/or other named respective designees to coordinate tribal access to as well as repatriation and disposition of human remains and cultural items and archaeological collections in UofU collection.
• Collaborate with collections managers on management of NAGPRA-eligible remaining collections under UofU stewardship and work with descent communities to ensure access and inclusion.
• Collaborate with and seek input from tribal nations or tribally designated officials to maintain culturally-responsive procedures of care for Native American remains and NAGPRA-eligible cultural objects. This includes coordination to ensure timely access for appropriate cultural protocols/ceremonies of affected tribes.
• Participate in the UofU Task Force for Repatriation (and its resulting governing body)
• Assist in developing UofU policy and guidance documents on repatriation
• Provide needed training at the UofU about the NAGPRA requirements, the UofU policy and associate guidance documents
• Meet regularly with the Associate VP for Research Integrity & Compliance

Primary duties of this position will be performed at NHMU, with additional responsibility for ensuring NAGPRA compliance across the UofU campus.

Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in a related area or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience). Four to six years of progressively more responsible management experience. Background knowledge of hiring department's area of specialization in order to analyze, plan and draw conclusions for recommendations to superiors. Demonstrated leadership skills in planning and directing employees and processes in order to effectively monitor and develop subordinates and to ensure the smooth operation of department. Completion of provided supervisory training within one year of employment may be required. Master's degree in a related area may be preferred.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Preferences
BA/BS required, MA/MS preferred, minimum 3 years work experience in NAGPRA compliance/collections and/or museum settings

Special Instructions


Requisition Number: PRN41463B
Full Time or Part Time? Part Time
Work Schedule Summary: M-F Flexible
Department: 01491 - Assoc. VP Research Integrity
Location: Campus
Pay Rate Range: 60000 to 70000
Close Date: 6/19/2025
Open Until Filled:

To apply, visit https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/180107







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