Archaeological Collections Manager

Position Number: 41185698

Payroll Title: MUSEUM SCI SR

Job Code: 9722

Job Open Date: 7/18/2025

Application Review Begins: 8/4/2025

Department Code (Name): NAGP (UCSB Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act)

Percentage of Time: 100%

Union Code (Name): RX-Research Professionals

Employee Class (Appointment Type): Staff: Career

FLSA Status: Exempt

Salary Grade: N/A

Pay Rate/Range: The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $73,043.94 to $79,059.62/year. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience; the budget for the position; and the application of fair, equitable, and consistent pay practices at the University. The full salary range for this position is $73,043.94 to $117,539.30/year.

Work Location: HSSB 2065

Working Days and Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00am-5:00pm

Benefits Eligibility: Full Benefits

Special Instructions:

For full consideration, please include a resume and a cover letter as part of your application.

Department Marketing Statement:

The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) is a Federal law enacted in 1990 to resolve and restore the rights of Native American lineal descendants and tribes to human remains and cultural items. California NAGPRA state law was introduced in 2001 to aid the Federal NAGPRA and further the process of repatriation to California Native American Tribes. NAGPRA requires museums, agencies, and universities that accept Federal funding to consult with Native American tribes regarding the repatriation of human remains and cultural items. UC campuses hold Native American human remains and cultural items subject to NAGPRA. UC Santa Barbara is working with affiliated Tribes to return claimed human remains and cultural items. UC Santa Barbara is committed to repatriating in a timely and respectful manner.

Benefits of Belonging

Working at UC means being part of this vibrant institution that shines a light on what is possible. People make UC great, and UC recognizes your contributions by making this a great place to work. Excellent retirement and health are just one of the rewards. Learn more about the benefits of working at UC

Brief Summary of Job Duties:

Under general supervision, the Collections Manager works closely with the Repatriation Coordinator to develop a strategic plan for the UCSB Repository collections, with an emphasis on curation, collection management, and data base maintenance. This role is key in overseeing the care, organization, and documentation of the collection, ensuring high standards of curation and preservation. Responsible for supervising, evaluating, and assessing the overall quality of the curation of the Repository collections. Assists in consultation with Tribes. Works with repatriation team to achieve repatriation goals in a timely manner. Completes work in accordance with best museum ethics and practices. Accepts projects from the Repatriation Coordinator as prioritized with project balance. Discuss project goals and resource allocation with supervisor regularly. With expertise in museum curation, the Collections Manager uses advanced subject knowledge and curatorial skills to resolve complex issues, recommend conservation strategies, and ensure the collections' integrity. The Collections Manager exercises judgment in selecting methods for obtaining results. Work is performed independently; requires formulating strategies and administering policies, processes, and resources; functions with a high degree of autonomy. Maintains close partnerships with indigenous community stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Archeology, Museum Studies, or American Indian/ Indigenous Studies or related field(s)
• Master's Degree in Archeology, Museum Studies, or American Indian/ Indigenous Studies or related field(s)
• 4-6 years Experience in curatorial work
• 1-3 years Archaeological field work experience
• 1-3 years Working knowledge of museum related regulations, especially the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act
• 1-3 years Skill/experience in museum object handling
• Demonstrated experience with museum databases and cataloging.
• Demonstrated experience with collections management and archiving.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Working knowledge of California material culture. Demonstrated experience working with indigenous communities
• Ability to oversee volunteers and staff on selected work assignments, and in the absence of the supervisor to schedule previously determined work assignments to staff and volunteers.
• Ability to work efficiently and accurately, and to be responsive to an often challenging production environment; ability to work effectively on many projects simultaneously.
• Ability to set, organize and prioritize multiple tasks.
• Ability to collaborate with staff, members of the community, and colleagues at every level.
• Proficient in the use of MS Word and Excel. Ability to manage accession records in digital forms
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to communicate clearly, productively, cooperatively, diplomatically, and respectfully in the professional environment.
• Ability to use discretion and maintain all confidentiality.
  
  

Special Conditions of Employment:

• This is a career position with an expected end date of 2 years from the date of hire.
• Satisfactory criminal history background check
• UCSB is a Tobacco-Free environment

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement:

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegation or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Job Functions and Percentages of Time:

• 75% Curation Oversight & Management - Works closely with the Repatriation Coordinator to develop a strategic plan for the UCSB Repository collections, with an emphasis on curation, collection management, and data base maintenance. Oversee the care, organization, and documentation of the collection, ensuring high standards of curation and preservation. With a specialization in museum collections management and expertise in standard museum curatorial practices, is responsible for maintaining collections up to Federal curation standards. Responsible for supervising, evaluating, and assessing the overall quality of the curation of the Repository collections. Accessions/De-accessions and catalogs collections. With Tribal permissions and/or assistance verifies provenience and inventory. Prepares collections according to NAGPRA, CalNAGPRA and UC policies and procedures and develops collection management policies, standards, and procedures. Coordinates and produces both internal and external reports on collection matters, purchases supplies for curation and management, and ensures the proper conservation and care of the collections. Adds and/or updates new records to the database and performs audits to ensure the quality of the data. Maintain the collection's integrity and facilitate ongoing repatriation goals and objectives.

• 25% Consultation - Along with the Repatriation Coordinator, assist in consultation with Tribes. Helps to organize collections and associated documents prior and during consultation visits. Represent UCSB at meetings with tribal government officials and representatives to coordinate NAGPRA compliance. Facilitate campus visits and other events for tribal leaders and representatives. Maintains close partnerships with indigenous community stakeholders.

UC Vaccination Programs Policy:

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccinations Programs.
As a condition of Physical Presence at a Location or in a University Program, all Covered Individuals* must participate in any applicable Vaccination Program by providing proof that they are Up-to-Date with any required Vaccines or submitting a request for Exception in a Mandate Program or properly declining vaccination in an Opt-Out Program no later than the Compliance Date (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.). Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

For more information, please visit University of California Policy on Vaccinations - https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/5000695/VaccinationProgramsPolicy

*Covered Individuals: A Covered Individual includes anyone designated as Personnel or Students under this Policy who physically access a University Facility or Program in connection with their employment, appointment, or education/training. A person accessing a Healthcare Location as a patient, or an art, athletics, entertainment, or other publicly accessible venue at a Location as a member of the public, is not a Covered Individual.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

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