Description

TO APPLY FOR THIS JOB PLEASE VIST WWW.JOBS.IU.EDU AND REFERENCE JOB ID: 317394 - applications will not be considered unless they are submitted through the university platform. 

Job Summary
The Collections Manager, Archaeology is a member of the curatorial and collections team. The Manager will work collaboratively with the Collections Manager, Ethnography, the curatorial team, descendant communities, the IU Office of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), and IU faculty to build collections access policies/procedures, research pathways, and active consultations procedures for the wide variety of anthropology collections. The Collections Manager will ensure descendant community requests are honored, respected, and integrated in collection management procedures for the associated items.   

Department Specific Responsibilities

• Partners interdepartmentally and across disciplines to manage collections and support research, curation, the development of collections access policies, repatriation, and the implementation of shared-stewardship and culturally conscious conservation models in the archaeology collections.
• Reports directly to the Director of Curatorial Affairs, and closely collaborates with the Executive Director, Curator of Midwest Archaeology, and the grant writing and external communications department. Works closely with operations, the learning and community engagement team, students, and researchers.
• Leads efforts to document and catalog archaeology artifacts using digital cataloging systems, including detailed descriptions, provenance, condition reports, and photographs.  
• Updates and maintains detailed and accessible records on the Museum's past and current outreach, notification, consultation, and repatriation processes with Indigenous communities (NAGPRA/non-NAGPRA/international). Works with department staff as necessary to create procedures that maintain intellectual control of this information.
• Implements policies and procedures for repatriations, acquisition, deaccessions, restitution, cataloging, handling, storage, and maintenance of archaeology collections.
• Ensures compliance with ethical and legal standards for the repatriation, acquisition, and management of cultural materials, materials on loan, artifacts, and state/local materials.
• Maintains accurate and comprehensive records of collections, adhering to museum standards, stewardship policies, and practices. 
  Collaborates with curators, conservation specialists, and descendant communities to assess and address the conservation and stewardship needs of artifacts.
• Develops and implements strategies to mitigate environmental risks, prevent deterioration, and align with the stewardship protocols and guidelines indicated by the descendant community, if applicable.
• Supports the interpretive planning team, curators, exhibit designers, and educators to develop innovative, engaging, and dynamic exhibitions and displays as needed.  
• Assists and collaborates in the selection and arrangement of artifacts, interpretive materials, and multimedia elements within the archaeology collections.
• Provides access to collections for descendant communities, tribal consultants, IU NAGPRA, researchers, scholars, and students in alignment with the goals of the Museum and the collection access policies.  
• Manages and maintains the IUMAA collections in alignment with the Collections Management policies and procedures.
• Manages and maintains all the records, recording, stewardship, and associated tasks with federal, faculty, and other external collections that IUMAA stewards in partnership with the Museum Registrar.
• Partners with the Museum Registrar to manage the loan of archaeology objects to other IU units or external institutions, ensuring proper documentation, handling, and transportation.
• Collaborates with other museums, cultural organizations, and Indigenous communities to enhance collections management policies and procedures.
• Approaches the management of archaeology collections with sensitivity and awareness of the ethical considerations involved in working with culturally sensitive materials and communities harmed by the Museum, and the colonial legacy of anthropology, academia, and the museum field at large.
• Collaborates with the learning and community engagement team to support scholarly and public engagement by sharing insights on collections as needed.
• Manages part-time, practicum, and student workers professional growth at the museum while also meeting their work deliverables in collections.  
• Trains and supervises collections assistants, interns, and volunteers in all routine collections and curation activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

General Responsibilities

• Creates and manages the database for collection records which includes processing, photographing, cataloging, and locating all incoming exhibits in the museum system.
• Generates reports depending on the need and information entered. These reports are needed to list object locations for inventory purposes, to provide the object's information for gift documentation, to provide collection and statistical data, and financial information as requested by the budgetary team.
• Oversees arrangements and documentation for new acquisitions and registration aspects of incoming and outgoing artwork, artifacts, and collections loans, including working with donors and lenders and preparing outgoing and incoming loan documentation and receipts. Provides rights and reproductions documentation when requested and coordinates with photographers for high-resolution images. Manages paper and digital files and creates forms as needed to ensure efficient workflow.
• Assists with budget and strategic planning.
• Coordinates with Information Technology (IT) to ensure collections database and multimedia servers are maintained and ensures staff technology requirements are satisfied.
• Oversees collections storage security by monitoring humidity and temperature fluctuations and ensuring a secure environment for collections and staff, pest management, Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC), and cleaning personnel.
  Inventories collections, manages student workers, maintains statistical data, updates conservation records with conservation treatment reports provided by independent conservators, attends training, and trains users.
• Coordinates with moving and setups and other collections handlers to ensure the safe transportation of artwork, artifacts, and collections.
• May provide guidance and delegate administrative tasks to other museum services staff.
• May make process recommendations for improved operational efficiency.

Requirements

Qualifications
Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.

EDUCATION

Required

Bachelor's degree in museum services or related field
Preferred

Master's degree in archaeology, museum studies, library sciences, collections management, cultural studies, or related field
WORK EXPERIENCE

Required

2 years in museum services or related field
Preferred

3 years of experience in a museum, library, archive, cultural center, or similar organization with a focus on collections management/stewardship and/or repatriation
Experience in conservation and care, inventory, environmental monitoring, loan agreement processing, and community centered consultations
SKILLS

Required

Proficient communication skills
Maintains a high degree of professionalism
Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills
Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
Possesses flexibility to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
Seeks to acquire knowledge in area of specialty
Highly thorough and dependable
Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure
Preferred

Demonstrated experience with documentation review and management practices, including a working knowledge of collection databases (FileMaker preferred) and registration practices 
Demonstrated experience with midwestern archaeology, archaeological field work, and historical legacy and contemporary presence and importance of Indigenous mounds and archaeological sites
Demonstrated experience with collections care, stewardship, and management of expansive international archaeology collection 
Understanding of United States domestic laws relating to museums, repatriation, museum collections, and/or international repatriation laws and loan agreements 
Demonstrated understanding of the colonial legacy of museums, anthropology, and academia and the complexity of colonization's impact on Indigenous communities (domestic and international)
Demonstrated experience working directly with Indigenous communities navigating colonial histories and (re)building sustainable transparent relationships 
Experience in assisting with complex, sensitive, or confidential projects, including a demonstrated ability to listen and work empathetically with a wide range of people
Understanding of museum practices that create a welcoming environment for all visitors
Demonstrated experience and ability to achieve deliverables while working collaboratively and independently without close supervision within tight deadlines  
Collaborative and autonomous approach with a focus on keeping the entire team updated 
Dynamic museum professional with a passion and dedication for collections care

Working Conditions / Demands
This role requires the ability to effectively communicate and to operate a computer and other standard office productivity equipment. The position involves sedentary work as well as periods of time moving around an office environment and the campus. The position requires moving up to 40 pounds. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.

Work Location
Bloomington, Indiana

This is an in-person position.

Advertised Salary
Up to $60,000 annually, based on experience.

Benefits Overview
For full-time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including:

Comprehensive medical and dental insurance
Health savings account with generous IU contributions
Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
Basic group life insurance paid by IU
Voluntary supplemental life, long-term disability, critical illness, and supplemental accidental death & dismemberment insurance
Base retirement plan with generous IU contributions, subject to vesting
Voluntary supplemental retirement plan options
Tuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses
10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each year
Generous paid time off plans
Paid leave for new parents and IU-sponsored volunteer events
Employee assistance program (EAP)
Learn more about our benefits by reviewing the IU Benefit Programs Brochure.

Job Classification
Career Level: Career

FLSA: Exempt

Job Function: Educational Resources & Tech

Job Family: Museum Services

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