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 Museum’s documentation of Californian Native peoples began even before its founding, with the archaeological excavations of Philip M. Jones in 1900, sponsored by Phoebe Hearst. Since the arrival of Alfred L. Kroeber in 1901, the Museum has amassed what is probably the largest and most comprehensive collection devoted to Native California, including archaeological and ethnographic artifacts (now numbering over 259,000 catalogue entries). Regionally, the Museum's holdings are strongest from the northern part of the state.

The Tribal Outreach Coordinator exists to foster and maintain mutually beneficial programmatic relationships between The Hearst Museum and the Native American constituents it serves in order to increase access to the collection and information in multiple ways. As a member of the Programs and Exhibitions Division, the Coordinator establishes and maintains relationships with individuals, campus organizations and tribal governments, conducts outreach presentations and workshops, and prepares written materials to ensure that a high level of communication with the tribes is developed and integrated within implementation activities carried out by the Hearst Museum. He/she identifies communication needs and develops corresponding informational materials. This position must represent the Museum on highly controversial and complex issues, explain policy, develop support for decisions and work with others in collaborative actions, concepts and approaches.

COLLECTIONS RESEARCH

• Verify collection documentation and check for accuracy for use in programs, exhibits and publications
• Maintain and update information on tribal specifications for storing, handling, exhibiting and interpreting artifacts in the Museum’s database
• Provide tribal guidelines for artifact use to the Museum Education Specialist, Designer, Preparator Collections Managers and Conservator
• Assist with repatriation claims and visits as requested by the Repatriation Coordinator
• Assist with plan for new exhibition space
• Work with Coordinator of Collections to plan for new culturally sensitive research and storage space for artifacts

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT & EVALUATION

• Work as a member of the Programs and Exhibitions Team to develop Native American themed content and output
• Suggest themes and projects based on museum collections
• Assist in content development for publications as needed
• Work with curators, faculty, scholars and/or students as needed in planning and designing research and study projects with programmatic elements
• Facilitate requests for visits to and ceremonies in the exhibition or collection spaces as requested by Repatriation Coordinator
• Facilitate consultation with tribes as requested by Repatriation Coordinator
• Design, administer and report findings of user surveys with tribes to determine needs and program effectiveness

PROFESSIONAL NETWORK BUILDING & SERVICES

• Develop and maintain network of tribal representatives for partnerships with tribal cultural centers and museums
• Act as a representative of the museum to constituents in matters concerning Native American partnerships
• Assist in museum based professional training for tribal museum and cultural center staff
• Work to establish ongoing Native American internships in the Museum
• Assist in planning for long-term loans of artifacts to and ongoing programs with tribes
• Function as contact for artists, tribes and museums in coordinating ingoing and outgoing loans of artifacts for exhibition as requested
• Help develop and serve on the Native American Advisory Board

DEVELOPMENT

• Research availability of funding from tribes, federal and state granting agencies and private foundations for programming and collections care
• Assist in budgeting and grant-writing for cooperative programming

• Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree highly preferred
• Knowledge of museum and campus functions as partners with tribes
• Knowledge of tribal government, cultural center and education functions
• Knowledge of History, Archaeology and Ethnology of Indian groups with an emphasis on California
• Knowledge of related laws, museum professional ethics and trends in relationships and programs
• Skills in collecting and managing information from multiple sources
• Ability to communicate information effectively at multiple levels in diverse formats to many audiences
• 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
• Excellent oral and written communication skills required
• Ability to understand and effectively communicate about culturally sensitive issues in a respectful way
• Ability to appreciate divergent opinions equally and act as a liaison for multiple groups
• Ability to apply knowledge of museum collections and multiple external entities to develop relationships, partnerships, and programs that mutually benefit the Museum, campus, and constituents on a long-term basis

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.