Ohio History Connection
NAGPRA Specialist- Human Remains, Fauna, and Materials
Ohio History Connection, Columbus, Ohio, United States, 43215
NAGPRA Specialist- Human Remains, Fauna, and Materials
Position: NAGPRA Specialist Status: Full time, permanent Location: Ohio History Center, Columbus OH Salary: $25-28 per hour Benefits: Full benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, retirement pension, paid time off and holidays Summary: The NAGPRA Specialist will lead efforts in inventory management, consultation preparation, and repatriation of both organic and inorganic collections, including human and faunal remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony. This role requires a strong foundation in osteology, museum practices, and cultural resource laws, as well as a demonstrated commitment to working respectfully with Tribal Nations. Essential Functions: Identify and differentiate human and faunal remains. Prepare and maintain inventories and documentation of cultural materials (e.g., textiles, tools, ceremonial objects). Conduct research using primary documentation (e.g., field notes and photographs). Collaborate with Program and Collections Managers to prepare materials for consultation and repatriation. Update files in databases and collections management software with a high-level of accuracy and consistency. Provide cross-support for conducting osteological analysis following standards when needed. Housing and preparing both human remains and cultural materials for return to their descendant communities; Maintain culturally appropriate storage and handling protocols. Assist with retrieval, packing, and transportation for reburial. Submit monthly reports outlining completed work. Provide cross-support to the second Specialist when needed. Participate in the annual Tribal Nations Conference. Required Education & Experience: Master's degree from an accredited institution in a relevant PLUS three to five years of direct work with NAGPRA-eligible collections. Demonstrated experience with human and faunal skeletal remains and archaeological materials. Knowledge of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and key cultural resource laws that require consultation or impact tribes/tribal people and cultural sensitivity protocols. Experience physically handling ancestral remains for purposes of proper care and custody transfers. Ability to communicate with tribal representatives, staff, and the public, both orally and in writing. Knowledge of and demonstrated experience with diverse American Indian tribal protocols, customs, traditions, cultures, and governmental relations Experience in museum cataloging. Desired Skills & Experience: Demonstrated cultural competency in the care and documentation of faunal remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony, with sensitivity to their significance to Tribal Nations. Knowledge of American Indian histories in Ohio. Excellent presentation skills. Experience managing and updating an inventory of osteological and associated collections. Proficiency in various office software suites and virtual platforms, including but not limited to Microsoft 365. Required Competencies: Demonstrated cultural competency in the care and documentation of faunal remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony, with sensitivity to their significance to Tribal Nations. Demonstrated ability to conduct research using primary documentation (e.g., field notes and photographs). Comfort in physically handling ancestor remains for purposes of proper care and custody transfers. Work independently, with, and in support of a team of curators, archivists, collections managers, and registrars to complete work and set priorities. Political acumen and ability to communicate with diverse constituents; strong facilitation skills. Can locate and use resources to get things done, orchestrate multiple activities at once to accomplish a goal, uses resources effectively and efficiently, and arranges information in a useful manner. Assumes accountability of role and responsibilities; anticipates the needs of others. Able to process information in a consistent manner, simultaneously displaying adaptability when necessary. Engages and collaborates with a variety of internal and external colleagues and stakeholders, taking ownership of the process when appropriate. Sound judgement and the ability to make reasonable decisions in the absence of direction. Application Instructions: Submit Resume/CV and professional cover letter through Ohio History Connection careers website:
https://www.applicantpro.com/openings/ohiohistory/jobs . For questions or accommodations requests, please email
applicant@ohiohistory.org
or call 614-297-2500. Ohio History Connection is an equal opportunity employer. All prospective employees are required to undergo a fingerprint background check processed by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation & Identification (BCI) in accordance with the Volunteer Children's Act. Additionally, prospective employees will also submit to a drug test. Both will occur after the offer of employment is accepted. The results of the background check and drug test are not immediate disqualifiers to employment and are reviewed in accordance with Ohio History Connection policies and procedures. Inquiries must be directed to the Human Resources Director at 614-297-2390 or via email at applicant@ohiohistory.org.
Position: NAGPRA Specialist Status: Full time, permanent Location: Ohio History Center, Columbus OH Salary: $25-28 per hour Benefits: Full benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, retirement pension, paid time off and holidays Summary: The NAGPRA Specialist will lead efforts in inventory management, consultation preparation, and repatriation of both organic and inorganic collections, including human and faunal remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony. This role requires a strong foundation in osteology, museum practices, and cultural resource laws, as well as a demonstrated commitment to working respectfully with Tribal Nations. Essential Functions: Identify and differentiate human and faunal remains. Prepare and maintain inventories and documentation of cultural materials (e.g., textiles, tools, ceremonial objects). Conduct research using primary documentation (e.g., field notes and photographs). Collaborate with Program and Collections Managers to prepare materials for consultation and repatriation. Update files in databases and collections management software with a high-level of accuracy and consistency. Provide cross-support for conducting osteological analysis following standards when needed. Housing and preparing both human remains and cultural materials for return to their descendant communities; Maintain culturally appropriate storage and handling protocols. Assist with retrieval, packing, and transportation for reburial. Submit monthly reports outlining completed work. Provide cross-support to the second Specialist when needed. Participate in the annual Tribal Nations Conference. Required Education & Experience: Master's degree from an accredited institution in a relevant PLUS three to five years of direct work with NAGPRA-eligible collections. Demonstrated experience with human and faunal skeletal remains and archaeological materials. Knowledge of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and key cultural resource laws that require consultation or impact tribes/tribal people and cultural sensitivity protocols. Experience physically handling ancestral remains for purposes of proper care and custody transfers. Ability to communicate with tribal representatives, staff, and the public, both orally and in writing. Knowledge of and demonstrated experience with diverse American Indian tribal protocols, customs, traditions, cultures, and governmental relations Experience in museum cataloging. Desired Skills & Experience: Demonstrated cultural competency in the care and documentation of faunal remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony, with sensitivity to their significance to Tribal Nations. Knowledge of American Indian histories in Ohio. Excellent presentation skills. Experience managing and updating an inventory of osteological and associated collections. Proficiency in various office software suites and virtual platforms, including but not limited to Microsoft 365. Required Competencies: Demonstrated cultural competency in the care and documentation of faunal remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony, with sensitivity to their significance to Tribal Nations. Demonstrated ability to conduct research using primary documentation (e.g., field notes and photographs). Comfort in physically handling ancestor remains for purposes of proper care and custody transfers. Work independently, with, and in support of a team of curators, archivists, collections managers, and registrars to complete work and set priorities. Political acumen and ability to communicate with diverse constituents; strong facilitation skills. Can locate and use resources to get things done, orchestrate multiple activities at once to accomplish a goal, uses resources effectively and efficiently, and arranges information in a useful manner. Assumes accountability of role and responsibilities; anticipates the needs of others. Able to process information in a consistent manner, simultaneously displaying adaptability when necessary. Engages and collaborates with a variety of internal and external colleagues and stakeholders, taking ownership of the process when appropriate. Sound judgement and the ability to make reasonable decisions in the absence of direction. Application Instructions: Submit Resume/CV and professional cover letter through Ohio History Connection careers website:
https://www.applicantpro.com/openings/ohiohistory/jobs . For questions or accommodations requests, please email
applicant@ohiohistory.org
or call 614-297-2500. Ohio History Connection is an equal opportunity employer. All prospective employees are required to undergo a fingerprint background check processed by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation & Identification (BCI) in accordance with the Volunteer Children's Act. Additionally, prospective employees will also submit to a drug test. Both will occur after the offer of employment is accepted. The results of the background check and drug test are not immediate disqualifiers to employment and are reviewed in accordance with Ohio History Connection policies and procedures. Inquiries must be directed to the Human Resources Director at 614-297-2390 or via email at applicant@ohiohistory.org.