NAGPRA Support Technician

State Historical Society of North Dakota; Bismarck (ND); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ACA insurance benefits

Job summary

The State Historical Society of North Dakota is seeking a detail-oriented NAGPRA Support Technician to help meet regulatory requirements under NAGPRA. The role involves inventories, summaries, organizing records, and updating documentation within archaeological, ethnographic, and archival contexts.

Ideal candidates will learn data standards quickly, maintain accuracy, and work with confidential cultural information.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in anthropology, archaeology, museum studies, Native American studies, or related field.
• Demonstrated knowledge of NAGPRA regulations, consultation procedures, and repatriation processes.
• Teamwork-oriented attitude with adaptability to diverse communities.

Responsibilities

• Assist with NAGPRA inventories and summaries in accordance with regulations and agency procedures.
• Review and update NAGPRA-related information in the collection management database, ensuring data accuracy.
• Support detailed reviews of collections to identify cultural items subject to NAGPRA regulations.
• Digitize, organize, and reconcile supporting documentation and provenience data for long‑term compliance.

Skills

NAGPRA regulations knowledge

Records organization

Data standards

Archival research

Education

Bachelor's degree in anthropology/archaeology/museum studies or related

Tools

Re:Discovery Proficio

GIS applications

Job description

The State Historical Society of North Dakota is seeking a detail-oriented and dependable NAGPRA Support Technician to assist the agency in meeting its regulatory responsibilities under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). This position will play a critical role in helping the agency fulfill federal requirements, such as assisting with inventories and summaries, organizing and researching records, and updating related documentation. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in archaeological, ethnographic, and archival collections environments and able to quickly learn and apply data standards with accuracy.

The State Historical Society of North Dakota is seeking a detail-oriented and dependable NAGPRA Support Technician to assist the agency in meeting its regulatory responsibilities under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). This position will play a critical role in helping the agency fulfill federal requirements, such as assisting with inventories and summaries, organizing and researching records, and updating related documentation. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in archaeological, ethnographic, and archival collections environments and able to quickly learn and apply data standards with accuracy.

This position is an excellent opportunity for individuals interested in museum collections, anthropology, archaeology, cultural resources, or repatriation processes who enjoy focused, detail-driven work. The position reports directly to the NAGPRA Program Specialist. It is full-time, with a 40-hour workweek and no projected end date, and it qualifies for Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance benefits.

Key responsibilities

include assisting with various tasks related to the agency's NAGPRA responsibilities, including:

• Supporting detailed reviews of collections to identify cultural items subject to the 2024 NAGPRA regulations, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
• Complete NAGPRA-related administrative tasks, such as note-taking, letter formatting, mailing, scheduling, and other duties as assigned.
• Assist with preparing, updating, and reconciling NAGPRA inventories and summaries in accordance with regulations and agency procedures.
• Assist with reviewing and updating NAGPRA-related information in agency's collection management database, Re:Discovery Proficio, ensuring data accuracy, consistency, and alignment with agency standards.
• Aid in compiling, organizing, and digitizing supporting documentation, including provenience data, archival materials, and acquisition and collection records, to support long-term compliance, and increase accessibility for repatriation determinations.
• Researching to resolve gaps in documentation and assist in determining cultural affiliation.
• Ensuring confidentiality and cultural sensitivity in handling all NAGPRA-related information.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in anthropology, archaeology, museum studies, Native American studies, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated knowledge of NAGPRA regulations, consultation procedures, and the repatriation processes.
• Teamwork-oriented attitude with willingness to adapt to varying tasks and working with diverse communities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience or education with federal, state, and Tribal cultural resource laws and policies.
• Familiarity with collections management systems, databases, and collections management procedures.
• Experience assisting with NAGPRA inventories, summaries, and Notices to the Federal Register.
• Knowledge of electronic database management and GIS applications.

About Team ND

"Far and away the best prize life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." - Theodore Roosevelt

More than 7,500 talented, hard-working people across sixty-three agencies have come together as Team North Dakota. At Team ND, we are driven to succeed through gratitude, humility, curiosity and courage. Our purpose is to empower people, improve lives, and inspire success. Join us in being legendary.

Application Procedures

All applications must be submitted via the Career site at www.nd.gov/careers. Paper submissions are not accepted. Application packages must be submitted online by 11:59 PM Central Standard Time (CST) on the closing date listed on the posting.

Application packages must include cover letter, resume, and three work-related references. Applicants will be scored on a 100-point candidate questionnaire to be considered for interviews; please provide detail in responses to the questionnaire. Applicants who experience difficulties during the application process should contact [e-mail] or 701.328.3290.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The State Historical Society does not provide Sponsorships.

For more information or if you need accommodation or assistance in the application or selection process, contact Erica Houn at [e-mail] or 701.328.2327.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of North Dakota and this hiring agency do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), genetics, religion, age or disability in employment or the provisions of services and complies with the provisions of the North Dakota Human Rights Act.

As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. Sect. 23-12-10.