Curator of Collections (4702)

Northern Valley Indian Health; DeKalb (IL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern Illinois University’s Department of Anthropology seeks a curator for the Pick Museum of Anthropology to oversee care, access, and policy development for diverse collections. The role includes provenance research, acquisitions review, and collaboration with the Museum Director on planning for deaccessioning and repatriation.

The successful candidate will lead NAGPRA activities, promote access to collections, supervise student workers and volunteers, and contribute to grant applications

Qualifications

• Knowledge of anthropology and museum practices.
• Two years of professional experience in anthropology curation.
• Master’s degree may substitute for one year of experience.

Responsibilities

• Maintain care and security of Pick Museum collections.
• Develop policies for collections management with emphasis on respectful care.
• Perform provenance research and recommend acquisitions.
• Oversee repatriation and NAGPRA compliance with tribes.
• Increase online access by digitizing records and updating databases.
• Supervise students, graduate assistants and volunteers in the collection.
• Assist with grant writing and interdisciplinary museum projects.
• Network with museum professionals for best practices.

Skills

Anthropology knowledge

Curation techniques

Cataloging artifacts

Collection development

Exhibit program development

Oral & written communication

Supervision

Security & storage

Education

MA in Anthropology

Tools

Past Perfect Web Edition

Job description

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Position Summary, Requirements, and Qualifications

Position Summary, Requirements, and Qualifications

Overview

The Department of Anthropology at Northern Illinois University is a community of scholars devoted to research, teaching, learning and service. We are a relatively small and student-oriented department. Our goal is to provide students with a broad education across all aspects of anthropology, while also making the student an engaged learner through hands‑on research and learning experiences. We prepare students for entry level jobs in fields as diverse as NGOs, government, museums and archaeology, or for advance study through master’s or doctoral programs.

Position Summary

Responsible for the care and protection of museum collections, including assisting with the development and implementation of collections policies, maintaining safe storage and gallery facilities, and providing appropriate care of collections. Responsible for collections development including provenance research, review and recommendation of potential acquisitions, and accessioning of accepted materials in consultation with Museum Director. Responsible for conducting review of Native American collections in the care of the Department of Anthropology and Pick Museum of Anthropology, consulting with Tribes, and preparing documents relating to the Native American Grave and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). Responsible for promoting and facilitating access and use of museum collections.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Collections Care

• Maintain the care, access, and security of all items in the Pick Museum of Anthropology collections, including archaeological, ethnological, and archival materials
• Assist with development of policies and procedures related to collections management in consultation with Collections Committee, with emphasis on culturally appropriate care
• Maintain and update the record keeping and registration for all museum collections, using physical and digital filing systems and relational databases (currently using Past Perfect Web Edition)
• Implement culturally appropriate data management practices in consultation with descendant communities
• Conduct research on museum collections and manage projects addressing collection issues (found in collection items, unclear provenance, conservation needs)
• Conduct provenance research, review and make recommendations for potential acquisitions, and accession accepted materials in consultation with Museum Director. Work with Museum Director to develop a collection plan, including making recommendations on deaccessioning and identifying collections for community consultation and potential repatriation
• Oversee the ongoing care of the collection facilities including monitoring and addressing environmental conditions and pest management

NAGPRA Consultations and Compliance

• Review collection objects and accession groups potentially connected to Native American tribes and subject to the Native American Grave Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and identify areas requiring additional consultation
• Reach out to Tribal representatives to reopen or initiate consultations as needed
• Lead consultations with Tribal representatives, including responding to requests for additional information, coordinating consultations with multiple parties, and conducting meetings via phone, video call or in person
• Prepare and submit updated or new NAGPRA summaries or inventories as needed
• Assist with review of repatriation requests including preparing reports for NIU NAGPRA Committee and drafting and submission of Notices of Intent to Repatriate
• Coordinate and oversee all aspects of repatriations, including making travel arrangements, scheduling meetings, and preparing paperwork

Access and Use of Collection

• Lead efforts to make collections information accessible online, including digitizing records, photographing collection items, and updating records as needed and appropriate.
• Respond to and facilitate requests for access to collections
• Assist with educational use of collections, including selecting appropriate objects, developing activities or lesson plans, and leading class visits
• Promote access and use of museum collections by producing content for social media, newsletters, and website, as well as, representing museum at events on and off campus.
• Consult regarding use of collection items in exhibitions and prepare condition reports and recommendations regarding display conditions
• Lead collection tours
• Supervise Museum student workers, graduate assistants, interns, and volunteers working in the museum collection
• Assist with the writing and preparation of grant applications as relevant to areas of responsibility
• Actively build network with other museum professionals and relevant academic organizations to consult regarding museum practices, develop new skills, and stay up to date with current issues in museums
• Network with other museum and collection personnel on campus to facilitate interdisciplinary collaborations

Minimum Required Qualifications (Civil Service)

1. Any one or any combination totaling three (3) years (36 months) from the following categories:

a. college course work in anthropology, museum studies or a closely related field as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent:

• 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months)
• 90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)
• Bachelor’s Degree (120 semester hours) equals three (3) years (36 months)

b. work experience that provided knowledge of anthropology or museum studies and techniques used in the preservation, restoration, and/or exhibition of museum collections.

2. Two (2) years (24 months) of work experience in the profession of anthropology curation including the development, storage, security, and exhibition of anthropological artifacts.

Note: A Master’s Degree in Anthropology, Museum Studies, or closely related field may be substituted for one (1) year (12 months) of experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) (Civil Service)

• Knowledge of anthropology.
• Skill in applying techniques used in the evaluation, preservation, restoration, and exhibition of anthropological artifacts.
• Skill in applying techniques used in cataloging/classifying anthropological artifacts.
• Skill in applying methods used in collection development.
• Skill in interpreting collections and communicating knowledge and information regarding them.
• Skill in maintaining records of anthropological artifacts and collections.
• Skill in identifying security, storage, and shipping needs.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Ability to supervise.
• Ability to develop exhibit programs.

Specialty Factors (Civil Service)

None

Preferred Qualifications (Civil Service)

• MA in anthropology or related field.
• Experience with the history and ethical issues of museum collecting practices and museum relations with Native American tribes.
• Experience or demonstrated knowledge of NAGPRA regulations
• Experience working with Native American tribes

Minimum Required Qualifications (SPS)

NA

Additional Requirements (SPS)

NA

Preferred Qualifications (SPS)

NA

• Must be able to conduct archival research using original paper files.
• Must be able to work at computer for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to work in collections to conduct close examination of objects.
• Must be able to communicate via email and phone. Requires occasional light lifting.

Illinois residency required within 180 days of the hire date.

In accordance with applicable statutes and regulations, NIU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age, disability (physical and mental), marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender (identity and expression), political affiliation, or any other factor unrelated to professional qualifications, and will comply with all applicable federal and state statutes, regulations and orders pertaining to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Director of Civil Rights Office, Title IX Coordinator
Health Services 2nd floor
[e-mail]
815-753-0455

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

ADA Accommodation

NIU remains committed to ensuring that its recruitment and application procedures include full opportunities for applicants with disabilities. Employment opportunities will not be denied to anyone because of the need to make accommodations for a person’s disability during either the application or interview process. An applicant who believes they require an accommodation to participate in the employment process due to a disability may request that accommodation through the Accommodation Request Form . For further assistance, please contact the office of Affiliate Action and Equal Opportunity (AAEO) at [e-mail] .

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Are you currently a citizen or resident of the State of Illinois?
  • Yes
  • No
• * What is the highest level of education attained?
  • GED
  • High School Diploma
  • Associates Degree
  • Bachelors Degree
  • Masters Degree
  • PHD
• Have you attached transcripts to support the degree(s) you are submitting for consideration with this posting?
  • Yes
  • No
  • Not Applicable
• * How many years of experience do you have in this type of position?
  • 0-1
  • 1-3
  • 3-5
  • 5-7
  • 7+
• * Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or résumé. (“See Résumé” is not an acceptable response.)

  (Open Ended Question)

• * If applicable, have you attached a copy of your DD214, DD215, NGB22, or DD256 for consideration of Veterans Preference Points? The copy submitted should reflect the status of discharge in order to be considered.
  • Yes
  • No
  • Not Applicable