Position Announcement: Archaeological Collections Manager, Wesleyan Univeristy

General Duties: 

-Under the general direction of the Provost and the supervision of the Dean of Social Sciences, the Archaeological Collections Manager is responsible for collections management and for working with faculty and students to facilitate their use of the collections. The incumbent serves as the University’s Repatriation Coordinator, maintaining Wesleyan’s compliance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA).

-Research and document collection objects to determine provenance and supplementary context.

-Develop, manage, and maintain an electronic collections database including digital images.  Maintain and update collections website. 

-Supervise all access to collections storage area in accordance with the Wesleyan --University Archaeology and Anthropology Collection (WUAAC) Management Policy, tracking objects and maintaining activity logs, register and accession ledgers.

-Respond to outside inquiries about the collections and provide access and assistance to outside scholars.

-Support course laboratory sessions and assist faculty in the preparation and development of labs for new courses.

-Give tours of collections and train users as needed in the proper handling of collections and use of equipment.

-Monitor condition of objects.  Coordinate conservation efforts.

-Serve as repatriation coordinator implementing NAGPRA regulations, including the development and maintenance of inventories, summaries, notices and supporting documentation.  

-Develop and maintain relationships with Tribal representatives regarding NAGPRA sensitive collections, conduct formal consultations.

-Maintain culturally appropriate guidelines for handling and curation of human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects and objects of cultural patrimony.  Facilitate Tribal visits and transfers of human remains and objects. 

-Manage communications with National NAGPRA Office and other institutions.

-Perform similar duties as necessary.

Minimum Qualifications 

Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Anthropology, Archaeology, Classical Studies, Museum Studies or related field. Excellent computer and database management skills. High degree of integrity. Must be able to meet the physical demands of the position on a continual basis with or without reasonable accommodations including climbing ladders, lifting heavy objects, pushing and pulling heavily loaded carts. Ability and willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends, as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, Classical Studies, Museum Studies or related field.  Background in North American Native history/archaeology. Demonstrated experience in archaeological collections management. Experience with digital photography.  Experience with formal consultation and implementation of NAGPRA, including inventory of human remains and artifact collections, cataloging, collections documentation, and determinations of cultural affiliations.  Familiarity with EmbARK Collections Manager software. 

Apply online here.