Repatriation Program Officer (6299U) Government and Community Relations, #87958

About the University

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff, who are among the most talented and accomplished anywhere, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and MacArthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, we have been an engine for innovation—driving intellectual, economic, and social progress that benefits California, the U.S., and beyond. Berkeley supports professional development by providing all full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours of paid time per year and fostering supportive colleague communities through numerous employee resource groups.

About the Department

The Government and Community Relations (GCR) office builds and maintains relationships with community leaders, elected officials, government agencies, tribal nations, and third-party advocates to advance UC Berkeley’s mission in the public sector. GCR supports campus engagement on public policy matters and coordinates the university’s response to political and policy issues affecting higher education. The office advises administrators and faculty on strategies for constructive dialogue with government, tribal nations, and community leaders, focusing on areas such as student financial aid, admissions, scientific research, tribal relations, and other higher education policies.

About the Role

The Repatriation Program Officer serves as a key operational contact for the NAGPRA Repatriation Team, coordinating complex repatriation activities, Tribal engagement protocols, stakeholder communications, and logistical operations. This position exercises considerable discretion and independent judgment in managing sensitive assignments, implementing culturally appropriate procedures, coordinating resources across multiple campus units, and supporting Tribal consultations and repatriation efforts. The Repatriation Program Officer evaluates operational needs, recommends solutions, and develops methods and procedures to support successful execution of NAGPRA-related initiatives.

The first review date for this position is August 24, 2026.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Logistical Oversight (20%): Directs the end-to-end execution of complex repatriation events—including travel, accessibility, and ceremonial requirements—by aligning tribal mandates, vendor operations, and campus-wide stakeholders to ensure events honor the sovereign status of tribal governments.
• Protocol Operations & Advocacy (15%): Orchestrates the seamless translation of Tribal mandates into actionable institutional processes, ensuring physical spaces and staff workflows adhere to rigorous cultural and privacy standards. Advises on the ethical care of cultural property and engineers operational solutions, such as specialized space preparation and strategic work plans, to facilitate respectful fulfillment of Tribal requests.
• Budget & Financial Coordination (20%): Manages budget allocations for repatriation events, processes Tribal travel reimbursements and stipends, and partners with external vendors to acquire supplies/services. Collaborates with the Director, Program Manager, and Head of Collections to track and forecast budget needs for daily operations, including consultation/repatriation-related consumables, hospitality, stipends for Tribal involvement, and other projects and events.
• Stakeholder Advocate (15%): Serves as a specialist within the multidisciplinary NAGPRIA team, facilitating internal briefings on protocol and ensuring resources are organized to meet stakeholder expectations. Uses political acumen and interpersonal skills to communicate tribal needs and how they can be met within the university environment.
• Repatriation Support (15%): Assists with repatriation preparation and physical transfer of ancestors and belongings. Works with Collections managers and Tribal partners in preparing belongings and ancestors for return. Liaises with Tribal partners in the planning stages of transfers and ensures materials, procedures, and workplans align with their protocols. May include repackaging, movement, and stabilization of belongings and ancestors.
• Stakeholder Engagement (5%): Connects Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian peoples with campus units, including libraries, archives, and research units. Acts as an ambassador for the University, helping navigate resources of interest to tribal representatives by maintaining campus contacts and positive working relationships. Explains tribal sovereignty to campus stakeholders and provides context on the history of tribal relations at the university.
• Communications and PR (5%): Assists with the maintenance and development of the campus website and contributes to content explaining the steps of NAGPRA consultation, notification, and physical transfer for various stakeholders. Works with the Director and Liaisons to develop briefing documents for tribal leadership, the campus NAGPRA committee, the Chancellor, and California Senate briefings. Maintains the budget alongside the Director of Repatriation and assists with preparations for audits, such as the State Audit and planning at the UCOP level for resourcing the systemwide NAGPRA effort.
• Other Duties (5%): Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Specialized Planning: Experience in the delivery of sensitive consultation and repatriation events, often requested at short notice.
• Project Management: Adept at navigating institutional bureaucracy, planning, tracking, and forecasting needs for future NAGPRA-related engagements. Successfully manages the end-to-end lifecycle of high-profile visits, consultations, and repatriation events.
• Communication: Thorough written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including tact and high political acumen.
• Analytical Thinking: Sound judgment and critical thinking skills to identify problems and propose effective strategic resolutions, remaining calm under high-pressure situations.
• Subject Area Expertise: Expert understanding of Tribal political structures and protocols to ensure organized engagements, hospitality, and ceremonies are commensurate with the sovereign prestige of Tribal leadership and the sensitivity of repatriations and formal consultations.
• Administration and Operations Management Expertise: Thorough knowledge of operational and administrative procedures and processes, including office management, and use of standard word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Pay

The budgeted annual range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $85,000 – $94,000. This is an exempt, monthly-paid position.

Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Schedule

This is a full-time (40 hours/week) Career position eligible for UC benefits.