Archaeology Collection Assistant - Student Hourly

Center for Public Partnerships & Research; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 20,000 - 29,000; Part time

Job summary

Center for Public Partnerships & Research in Topeka, KS seeks a student hourly to assist with archaeology collections management, including database entry, inventory, re-housing, and photography. Lifting and ladder use may be involved.

The role supports collections management efforts, with tasks ranging from data entry to photography and archival work, in a supervised setting. Applicants should be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours during term and be available for a fall start.

Qualifications

• Attention to detail as evidenced by application materials.
• Experience with Excel or spreadsheets as evidenced by application materials.
• Experience using a DSLR camera.
• Experience with Photoshop or related photo software.
• Coursework in Museum Studies, Anthropology, Indigenous Studies or related topics.

Responsibilities

• 60%: Database data entry.
• 10%: Inventory.
• 10%: Re-housing.
• 10%: Photography, photocopying, scanning documents.
• 5%: NAGPRA compliance.
• 5%: Cleaning office and storage spaces.

Skills

Attention to detail

Excel/spreadsheets

Tools

DSLR camera

Photoshop

Lightroom

Capture One

Job description

Position Overview

The student will work with the Collections Manager and other student hourly/volunteers on a variety of division initiatives which will vary depending on the student's experience and level of expertise. Activities may include database entry, inventory, scanning archives, re-housing, and photography of archaeology collections. The student might also assist with general cleaning, moving boxes and reorganizing the work space.

This position may require lifting and climbing/the use of a ladder, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Job Description

• 60% - Database data entry.
• 10% - Inventory.
• 10% - Re-housing.
• 10% - Photography, photocopying, scanning documents.
• 5% - NAGPRA compliance.
• 5% - Cleaning office and storage spaces.

Required Qualifications

• Professional experience which required attention to detail, as evidenced by application materials.
• Experience with Excel or spreadsheets, as evidenced by application materials.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using a DSLR camera, as evidenced by application materials.
• Experience with Photoshop, Lightroom, Capture One or similar photography software, as evidenced by application materials.
• Coursework in Museum Studies, Anthropology, Indigenous Studies or related topics.

Position Requirements

During the semester term of the appointment, the student hourly must be enrolled in no fewer than 6 credit hours. For summer periods the student hourly must: (1) have been enrolled in no less than 6 hours in the past spring semester or (2) be pre-enrolled in the upcoming fall semester in no less than 6 hours or (3) be enrolled in summer session or (4) be admitted to study in the upcoming fall semester. Student Hourlies may be undergraduate or graduate students. (Exceptions granted for GRA/GTA/GA appointments DO NOT apply to Student Hourly appointments).

This position may require lifting and climbing/the use of a ladder, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Employment Conditions

• Student employees are not eligible for remote work arrangements unless an exception is approved by the unit leadership and HR.
• This is an hourly/non-exempt position. A student employee cannot hold an hourly/non-exempt position and a salaried/exempt graduate or undergraduate position (GRA/GTA/GA/RUA/RGA) concurrently.

Additional Candidate Instructions

In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:

• Cover letter
• Resume

Application deadline is Tuesday, 10/6/2026, by 11:59PM Central Standard Time.

Contact Information to Applicants

Kara Kelly

[e-mail]

Advertised Salary Range

$17.75 per hour

Anticipated Start Date

Monday October 12, 2026