The Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology is a research unit on the University of California, Berkeley, campus that administers public programs, research, and instructional use of a collection of approximately 3.8 million archaeological and ethnographic objects. Also included in the collection is supporting documentation, including an estimated 500,000 photographs, film, and sound recordings accumulated through systematic research and donations since the Museum's founding in 1902. The Museum, accredited by the American Association of Museums, engages in external loans for research and exhibition, development of exhibitions and public programs in the Museum’s gallery, conservation research and treatment, and care and maintenance of its vast collections.

The Repatriation Coordinator ensures that the Hearst Museum of Anthropology fulfills its legal and ethical obligations related to the repatriation of artifacts and human remains currently in its collection. Using a complex combination of knowledge, skills and abilities, he/she fosters and maintains mutually beneficial relationships between the Hearst Museum and the constituents it serves locally, nationally, and internationally in order to increase access to information and the collection itself while representing the Hearst Museum and the UC system in a cooperative, professional manner. The Coordinator oversees all aspects of repatriation carried out by multiple staff including inquiries, research, site visits, consultations, outreach, and any release of artifacts or remains that takes place.

The Coordinator establishes and maintains relationships with individuals, organizations and government entities involved at various levels of the repatriation process including research, legislation, policy, and procedure. The primary focus is with California tribes that can make repatriation claims under NAGPRA legislation. However, the Coordinator will also act as the Museum’s point of contact as international interest in repatriation continues to develop. She/he will track information regarding repatriation nationally and internationally and ensure that appropriate staff, faculty, and campus administrators are kept informed regularly. She/he calls and conducts meetings of the Repatriation Committee consisting of staff, faculty, and administrators, as appropriate.

• Act as initial contact for all repatriation questions and information;
• Work with Deputy Director to assess each scenario, devise work plan and assign appropriate staff;
• Coordinate assessment of collections with regard to international, federal and state regulations;
• Schedule meetings of the Repatriation Committee comprised of select staff and faculty curators as needed;
• Alert members of the Repatriation Committee to claims and any pertinent information on a regular basis;
• Maintain records of UC and campus NAGPRA committee meetings;
• Plan and schedule consultation visits;
• Oversee compilation of evidence, cultural determination recommendations;
• Publish legal notices;
• Responsible for updating Museum policy and procedure as needed;
• Help develop and serve on Advisory Boards for various culture groups as requested;
• Develop written annual and long-range strategic plan for repatriation research and activities;
• Develop and monitor repatriation-related budget in conjunction with other senior managers.

• Conduct research to determine current and developing legislation, policy, and procedures regarding repatriation;
• Research Museum database to do preliminary analysis of collection data related to claims or collections in question;
• Assist in the evaluation of repatriation relevant Museum data and work with Information Systems Division, Research Division, and Collections Division as needed to clarify levels and methods of access;
• Conduct user surveys with staff, faculty, and groups that make repatriation claims to evaluate the Hearst Museum's services and suggest ways to improve.

• Develop, maintain and document network of other repatriation professionals, legislators, faculty, campus officials, and other contacts for repatriation activities;
• Attend local, regional, national, and international meetings as requested;
• Represent the museum during visits with communities, government officials, faculty, and other cultural institutions as requested;
• Suggest potential funding sources for collections care and programming;
• Participate in grant writing as needed;
• Assist in planning outreach efforts regarding repatriation;
• Host group visits and provide tours as needed.

• Museum and campus policies and procedures for repatriation claims;
• International, Federal, and State laws such as NAGPRA related to repatriation of museum collections;
• Published guidelines and established preferences for tribes or groups interested in researching or making repatriation claims;
• Acts, policies, and procedures of UNESCO, AAM, ICOM regarding cultural property and human remains;
• Knowledge of North American archaeology, ethnography, and osteology research methods used to make determinations of cultural affiliation;
• Expertise in California Indian history and current tribal governments;
• Knowledge of current museum standards in national and international repatriation practices;
• Knowledge of national and international repatriation laws and officials;
• Understanding of current and possible future repatriation efforts;
• Minimum Master’s degree and 5+ years experience in related position required.

• Advanced knowledge of research methods to coordinate repatriation related analyses of ethnographic and archaeological material as well as skeletal remains;
• Advanced knowledge of California Indian cultures and NAGPRA to facilitate repatriation research and claims;
• Extensive knowledge of museum collection management policies and procedures to relay pertinent information about culturally sensitive practices;
• Complex knowledge of multiple external entities, global politics, and related legal issues to project future repatriation dialog and activity that may involve the Hearst Museum;
• Advanced research skills to gather, organize, and disseminate data from multiple sources;
• Skills in analyzing complex and often conflicting information from multiple sources to arrive at a decision;
• Skill in managing multiple deadlines under pressure from multiple constituents;
• Skills in teambuilding and collaborative program development;
• Technical skills to work in programs such as Excel, Access, FileMaker, the Museum’s database (TMS) and Microsoft Office suite;
• Superior ability to communicate information effectively in written and verbal form in diverse formats for many audiences;
• Ability to quickly analyze disparate scenarios to decide appropriate plans of action and necessary assistance needed;
• Ability to give equal attention to multiple, often conflicting, opinions and communicate to all parties in a balanced, collaborative manner;
• Ability to remove personal bias from the analysis of repatriation in order to present all viewpoints and work toward consensus building.

This position has been designated as sensitive and may require a Criminal Background Check. We reserve the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of a Criminal Background Check.