The Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History (SNM) NAGPRA Coordinator will oversee compliance, consultations, repatriations, and other activities associated with ensuring the museum's compliance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and fulfilling its NAGPRA legal and ethical obligations. The position will play a key role in managing, tracking, and evaluating the progress of core projects and initiatives relating to NAGPRA compliance, specifically related t... more details
The Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History (SNM) NAGPRA Coordinator will oversee compliance, consultations, repatriations, and other activities associated with ensuring the museum’s compliance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and fulfilling its NAGPRA legal and ethical obligations. The position will play a key role in managing, tracking, and evaluating the progress of core projects and initiatives relating to NAGPRA compliance, specifically related to the archaeology and ethnology collections, assisting with inventories and summaries, publication of notices, facilitating NAGPRA communications, including tribal consultation and physical repatriations of Native American ancestors and cultural items, and conducting provenance research. This staff member will collaborate with appropriate museum curators and collection managers and work closely with the University of Oklahoma’s NAGPRA Oversight Committee. This full-time, 12-month, annually renewable professional staff position will supervise temporary full- and part-time staff, students, and volunteers and report to the Director.
- Serves as the SNM’s primary point of contact for all NAGPRA-related inquiries seeking information about the SNM collections with Native American ancestral remains and NAGPRA-eligible cultural objects, and serves as the liaison between the SNM, Tribal Historic Preservation Offices, and the National NAGPRA program.
- Develops the museum’s goals and objectives for NAGPRA compliance with timelines and benchmarks.
- Responsible for management and day-to-day oversight of the NAGPRA program at the museum, including managing and completing inventories and summaries, conducting provenance research, and organizing and facilitating physical repatriations.
- Supervises NAGPRA staff, including hiring, training, and carrying out performance evaluations. In collaboration with curators and collections managers, establishes work priorities and supports NAGPRA staff in daily tasks.
- Interfaces and communicates with the SNM Director and the OU NAPGRA Oversight Committee, providing updates and routine reports on progress, successes, and barriers to support program goals and compliance.
- Assesses program effectiveness and identifies and addresses areas in need of improvement.
- Manages program documentation and records, data collection, correspondence, consultations, and reporting (oral and written), including the drafting and submission of NAGPRA documents (summaries, inventories, notices, and communications); develops SNM NAGPRA-related procedural manuals, policies, procedures, and curation plans.
- Develops proposals and funding requests to support NAGPRA activities and administers grants and contracts.
- Interfaces with university departments, funding sources, outside organizations and state/government agencies.
- Plans and conducts tribal consultations, responds to information requests and maintains communication with Tribal representatives; schedules site visits and facilitates access to collections by stakeholders.
- Manages the program budget and allocates and coordinates resources to attain objectives.
Located on the University of Oklahoma Norman campus, the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History is part of exceptional academic and research communities. Furthermore, with affordable living costs and a diverse range of recreational activities, the city of Norman offers the appeal of a vibrant community with a small-town feel, paired with the cultural and educational opportunities presented by the University of Oklahoma. There are many perks to employment at The University of Oklahoma, including but not limited to:
- 27 days of annual paid time off, increased with years of service
- 14 paid holiday days off
- Healthcare plan options to meet healthcare and financial needs
- Retirement plan options
- Two weeks of paid parental leave
- Employee wellness program featuring activities to earn up to $300/year
- Discounted athletic and cultural event tickets
- Tuition Waiver Program; Discounted tuition and fees for yourself and other dependents
- On-campus fitness and recreation centers, museums, gardens, and restaurants
Required Education: Bachelor's degree, AND:
- 48 months of program development, program management or related experience
Equivalency/Substitution: Will accept 48 months of related experience in lieu of the Bachelor's degree for a total of 96 months of related experience.
Skills:
- Able to communicate well and build rapport quickly with students, faculty and staff
- Proficient in Microsoft Office
- Highly organized and able to handle multiple projects and deadlines
- Able to read and interpret policy as well as State and Federal regulations
- Able to effectively evaluate projects, programs and produce comprehensive reports
- Able to supervise staff and communicate directions and expectations effectively
- Strong initiative to solve problems
- Able to work well with interdepartmental teams and initiatives
- Ability to assume responsibility and to work independently with minimum guidance
- Excellent research and writing skills, with the ability to synthesize and clearly present complex information
- Ability to develop and maintain respectful working relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives, especially regarding sensitive cultural issues.
Certifications:
Advertised Physical Requirements:
- Ability to engage in repetitive motion
- Standard Office Environment.
- Frequent exposure to pressure caused by deadlines and busy periods.
- May be required to travel.
- May require contact with other departments and university officials.
Departmental Preferences:
- 24 months of work experience in NAGPRA compliance, including familiarity with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) regulations and their implementation (e.g., completing NAGPRA inventories and summaries, submitting notices to tribes and the Federal Register, tribal consultation, collaboration, and the repatriation process).
- Experience working in a nonprofit, museum/arts/cultural organization, tribal or first nations organization, or higher education.
- Demonstrated experience engaging with Native American Tribes and/or other Indigenous communities of origin.
Supervision: NAGPRA Students, PT NAGPRA COLLECTIONS MANAGER, FT NAGPRA COLLECTIONS MANAGER, BIOARCHIALOGIST
Special Instructions: If you are selected as a final candidate for this position, you will be subject to The University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Tuberculosis Testing policy. To view the policy, visit https://hr.ou.edu/Policies-Handbooks/TB-Testing.
Why You Belong at the University of Oklahoma: The University of Oklahoma fosters an inclusive culture of respect and civility, belonging, and access, which are essential to our collective pursuit of excellence and our determination to change lives. The unique talents, perspectives, and experiences of our community enrich the learning, and working environment at OU, inspiring us to harness our innovation, creativity, and collaboration for the advancement of people everywhere.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: The University of Oklahoma, in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, age, religion, disability, political beliefs, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes, but is not limited to, admissions, employment, financial aid, housing, services in educational programs or activities, and health care services that the University operates or provides.
