NAGPRA Coordinator

The Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology at Harvard University seeks an individual for the position of NAGPRA Coordinator to support the Peabody’s implementation of NAGPRA (Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act). This role helps further the Peabody’s institutional goals of ethical stewardship, including fostering relationship building, collaborative dialogue, and diverse perspectives. This is a term appointment ending December 31, 2028, reporting to the Associate Director of NAGPRA.

About the Peabody Museum

The Peabody Museum is situated on the ancestral and traditional land of the Massachusett people. It cares for over 1.2 million items from across the world, including cultural, archaeological, and osteological collections as well as extensive photographic and archival materials. The Museum is committed to the ethical stewardship of its collections through implementation of collaborative and culturally responsive care, interpretation, and engagement. We strive for a diverse, inclusive, and equitable working environment and to act in ways that address the global challenges of climate change and environmental sustainability.

Responsibilities

• Works with sensitive collections and content which requires attentiveness to university and cultural protocols.
• Conducts and coordinates consultation, inventory research, and report production for implementation of NAGPRA work.
• Creates materials required for NAGPRA implementation and committees.
• Facilitates use of the collection for NAGPRA implementation and responds to inquiries about the collection in writing, by telephone, or during visits and according to NAGPRA implementation requirements.
• Coordinates with other Museum departments and representatives to facilitate consultation and physical transfer of collections under NAGPRA.
• Compiles and updates data on NAGPRA implementation, including documenting consultations and correspondence records and outcomes.
• Performs other duties as required.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline such as anthropology, archaeology, Indigenous or American studies, or museum studies and two years professional experience in a museum, archaeological, and/or indigenous heritage or research center.
• Masters degree will be considered in lieu of experience requirement.

Skills

• Strong analytical writing and research skills with attention to detail and accuracy and the ability to synthesize multiple lines of information.
• Ability to work independently as well as within a team environment.
• Discretion and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple project timetables.
• Strong ties to North American Indigenous communities preferred.
• Knowledge of The Museum System (TMS) or other museum collections management systems and museum cataloguing procedures and descriptive standards preferred.
• An understanding of historic and contemporary approaches to museum collections and indigeneity and anthropological research practices and methodologies.
• Strong experience with NAGPRA implementation (consultation and inventory/report production) preferred.

Schedule

35 hours per week. This position has been determined to allow some duties to be performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off including parental leave.
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one.
• Retirement plans with university contributions.
• Wellbeing and mental health resources.
• Support for families and caregivers.
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement.
• Commuter benefits, discounts, and campus perks.