Ethnography Curator & Collections Lead

Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and Sea Center; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 72,000 - 81,000; Full time

Job summary

The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and Sea Center seeks a Curator of Ethnography in the Anthropology Department. This full-time exempt role administers ethnographic collections, advances acquisitions, research, exhibitions and public programs aligned with the Museum’s mission.

Responsibilities include overseeing acquisitions, provenance, records, and coordination with NAGPRA staff, while supervising staff and volunteers.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in anthropology or related study with an expertise in Ethnography.
• Experience with basketry, textiles, and other objects from Western North America with a focus on Chumash and California highly desirable.
• Experience in museum techniques specific to scientific research and collections management.
• Demonstrated ability to build respectful, collaborative relationships with Indigenous communities.
• Experience conducting original scientific research and communicating results through publications.
• Working knowledge of federal NAGPRA and CalNAGPRA repatriation frameworks; direct compliance experience is desirable but not required.
• Experience in supervision and training of paid and volunteer staff.
• Strong interpersonal communication and writing skills.
• Strong working knowledge of computer software including database software and Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Administration: Assumes responsibility for department operation and attends committee meetings in Department Head’s absence.
• Administration: Maintains records of receipt, exchange or loan of collection items.
• Administration: Helps to formulate department policies and long-range plans.
• Administration: Contributes to annual reports and budgets and identifies, develops, and manages grant proposals and awards.
• Administration: Provides information on department activities, collections, facilities, to Department Head, Director of Collections and Research and others as appropriate.
• Personnel Management: Schedules, trains, and supervises department volunteers, interns, and temporary staff.
• Personnel Management: Maintains personnel records and time logs for staff.
• Personnel Management: Assists Department Head in training and supervising regular staff.
• Facility: Maintains a clean and safe work area.
• Facility: Maintains an equipment inventory.
• Facility: Collaborates with Department Head to acquire and maintain necessary equipment.
• Facility: Works with appropriate staff on environmental monitoring, pest management, emergency procedures, conservation needs, hazard mitigation, security, and safety equipment.
• Collections Management: Evaluates proposed acquisitions through provenance research, legal and ethical review, cultural sensitivity, institutional capacity, and consultation needs; recommends acquisition, decline, transfer, deaccession, or voluntary return in accordance with Museum policy and applicable law.
• Collections Management: Oversees documentation, inventory, storage, handling, security, access, loan, and exhibition of ethnographic collections in accordance with current professional and culturally appropriate museum standards.
• Collections Management: Conducts condition assessments and develops and maintains schedules for routine collections housekeeping and preventive care.
• Collections Management: Maintains accurate accession, catalog, loan, transfer, deaccession, and related collections records.
• Collections Management: Coordinates with designated NAGPRA staff on consultation, care, access, research, exhibition, and repatriation matters.
• Services: Provides reference information and instructional services for indigenous visitors, researchers, staff, docents, and the public.
• Services: Serves as resource person for other departments, and contributes to collaborative, community-based exhibitions, educational programs, publications and public outreach.
• Services: Serves on Museum committees and represents the Museum at community and professional events as requested.
• Services: Builds respectful relationships with Indigenous communities and advances culturally appropriate stewardship.
• Research: Engages in research consistent with Museum priorities and applicable consultation, consent, and access and care requirements, and publishes the results in scholarly and popular formats.
• Research: Attends professional meetings, presents research, and remains current with museum ethics, Indigenous collections stewardship, relevant laws, and professional practice.
• Organization-Wide: Maintain clean, safe, and organized workspaces.
• Organization-Wide: Follow opening/closing procedures and uphold safety and emergency protocols.
• Organization-Wide: Supports the Museum’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion for fellow staff, guests, and the community.
• Organization-Wide: Fosters a spirit of teamwork and collaboration by actively supporting colleagues, sharing knowledge, and contributing to a positive work culture.
• Organization-Wide: Contributes to a positive guest experience by greeting and addressing any questions when encountering guests as they navigate through the Museum and Sea Center.
• Organization-Wide: Assist with other Museum educational and special events as needed and approved by the supervisor.
• Organization-Wide: Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Writing skills

Supervision and training

Indigenous relations

Original research & publications

NAGPRA knowledge

Ethnography expertise

Museum techniques

Education

PhD in Anthropology or related field

Tools

Database software

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and Sea Center seeks a Curator of Ethnography in the Anthropology Department. This full-time exempt role administers ethnographic collections, advances acquisitions, research, exhibitions and public programs aligned with the Museum’s mission.

Responsibilities include overseeing acquisitions, provenance, records, and coordination with NAGPRA staff, while supervising staff and volunteers.