Repatriation Program Officer (6299U) Government and Community Relations, #87958

University of California, Berkeley; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 94,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California, Berkeley seeks a Repatriation Program Officer to coordinate NAGPRA-related repatriation activities, tribal engagement, and logistical operations across campus units. The role requires discretion, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to manage complex stakeholder needs while upholding tribal sovereignty and university protocols.

The position oversees end-to-end events, budget coordination, and communications, supporting repatriation efforts with careful adherence to

Qualifications

• Specialized planning experience delivering sensitive consultations and repatriation events.
• Project management across visits, consultations, and repatriation events.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication with high political acumen.
• Critical thinking to identify problems and offer strategic resolutions under pressure.
• Expert understanding of tribal political structures and protocols.
• Knowledge of operational and administrative procedures and common software.

Responsibilities

• Directs end-to-end execution of complex repatriation events—travel, accessibility, ceremonies—aligning tribal mandates, vendors, and campus stakeholders.
• Translates tribal mandates into institutional processes, ensuring spaces and staff workflows meet cultural and privacy standards.
• Manages budget allocations for repatriation events; processes reimbursements and stipends; forecasts daily operations costs.
• Facilitates internal briefings, communicates tribal needs, and aligns resources within the university.
• Assists with repatriation preparation and transfer of ancestors and belongings; liaises with tribal partners on plans and procedures.
• Connects Native communities with campus units; explains tribal sovereignty and university resources.
• Maintains campus website content and drafts briefing documents for tribal leadership and committees; supports audits and strategic planning.

Skills

Specialized Planning

Project Management

Communication

Analytical Thinking

Tribal Protocols

Operations Management

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Job description

About Berkeley

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff, who are among the most talented and accomplished anywhere, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and MacArthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, we have been an engine for innovation - driving intellectual, economic, and social progress that benefits California, the U.S., and beyond. Together, we change the world.

About Berkeley

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff, who are among the most talented and accomplished anywhere, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and MacArthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, we have been an engine for innovation - driving intellectual, economic, and social progress that benefits California, the U.S., and beyond. Together, we change the world.

Departmental Overview

The Government and Community Relations (GCR) office builds and maintains relationships with community leaders, elected officials, government agencies, tribal nations, and third-party advocates to advance UC Berkeley’s mission in the public sector. GCR supports campus engagement on public policy matters and coordinates the university’s response to a range of political and policy issues affecting higher education.

The office advises administrators and faculty on strategies for constructive dialogue with government, tribal nations, and community leaders. Areas of focus include student financial aid, admissions, scientific research, tribal relations, and other policies at the forefront of higher education and government.

Position Summary

The Repatriation Program Officer serves as a key operational contact for the NAGPRA Repatriation Team, coordinating complex repatriation activities, Tribal engagement protocols, stakeholder communications, and logistical operations. This position exercises considerable discretion and independent judgment in managing sensitive assignments, implementing culturally appropriate procedures, coordinating resources across multiple campus units, and supporting Tribal consultations and repatriation efforts. The Repatriation Program Officer evaluates operational needs, recommends solutions, and develops methods and procedures to support successful execution of NAGPRA-related initiatives.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 8/24/2026

Responsibilities

Strategic Logistical Oversight - 20%

• Directs the end-to-end execution of complex repatriation events—including travel, accessibility, and ceremonial requirements—by expertly aligning tribal mandates, vendor operations, and campus-wide stakeholders to ensure events honor the sovereign status of tribal governments.

Protocol Operations & Advocacy - 15%

• Orchestrates the seamless translation of Tribal mandates into actionable institutional processes, guaranteeing that physical spaces and staff workflows adhere to rigorous cultural and privacy standards. Expertly advises on the ethical care of cultural property while engineering concrete operational solutions—including specialized space preparation and strategic work plans to facilitate the respectful fulfillment of Tribal requests.

Budget & Financial Coordination - 20%

• Manage budget allocations for repatriation events, process Tribal travel reimbursements and stipends, and partners with external vendors to acquire supplies services. Works with the Director, Program Manager, and Head of Collections to track and forecast budget needs for daily operations including consultation/repatriation-related consumables, hospitality, stipends for Tribal involvement, and other projects and events held by the NAGPRA Department.

Stakeholder Advocate - 15%

• Serve as a specialist within the multidisciplinary NAGPRA team, facilitating internal briefings on protocol and ensuring resources are organized to meet stakeholder expectations. Uses political acumen and interpersonal skills to respectfully and clearly communicate tribal needs and how they can be met within the university environment.

Repatriation support - 15%

• Assist with repatriation preparation and physical transfer of ancestors and belongings. Works with the Collections managers and Tribal partners in preparing belongings and ancestors for return. Liaises with Tribal partners in the planning stages of transfers and assures materials, procedures, and workplan aligns with their protocols. May include repackaging, movement, and stabilization of belongings and ancestors.

Stakeholder Engagement - 5%

• Help connect Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian peoples with campus units, including libraries, archives, and research units. Act as an ambassador for the University and helps navigate resources of interest to tribal representatives by maintaining campus contacts and positive working relationships. Explains to campus stakeholders the tribal sovereignty of the visitors, and provides overall context and history of tribal relations at the university and how that is relevant to improving current tribal relations and meeting the needs of stakeholders.

Communications and PR - 5%

• Assists with maintenance and development of the campus website and contributes to the development of content that explains the steps of NAGPRA consultation, notification, and physical transfer for various stakeholders. Works with the Director and Liaisons to develop briefing documents for tribal leadership, the campus NAGPRA committee, the Chancellor, and for California Senate briefings. Maintains budget alongside the Director of Repatriation and assists with preparations for audits such as the State Audit, planning at the UCOP level for resourcing the systemwide NAGPRA effort, and the unit’s state-mandated strategic plan

Other duties as assigned - 5%

• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Specialized Planning: Experience in the delivery of sensitive consultation and repatriation events, often requested at short notice.
• Project Management: Adept at navigating institutional bureaucracy, planning, tracking, and contributing to forecasting of needs for future NAGPRA-related engagements. Successfully manages the end-to-end lifecycle of high-profile visits, consultations, and repatriation events.
• Communication: Thorough written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including tact and high political acumen.
• Analytical Thinking: Sound judgment and critical thinking skills to identify problems and propose effective strategic resolutions, remaining calm under high-pressure situations.
• Subject Area Expertise: Expert understanding of Tribal political structures and protocols to ensure that the organized engagements, hospitality, and ceremonies are commensurate with the sovereign prestige of Tribal leadership and the profound sensitivity of repatriations and formal consultations.
• Administration and Operations Management Expertise: Thorough knowledge in operational and administrative procedures and processes, including office management, and use of standard word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.

Education / Training

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted annual range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $85,000 – $94,000.

• This is an exempt, monthly-paid position.
• This is a full-time (40 hours/week) Career position eligible for UC benefits.

Other Information

• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.

Misconduct

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" Means Any Violation Of The Policies Or Laws Governing Conduct At The Applicant’s Previous Place Of Employment, Including, But Not Limited To, Violations Of Policies Or Laws Prohibiting Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Or Other Forms Of Harassment, Discrimination, Dishonesty, Or Unethical Conduct, As Defined By The Employer. For Reference, Below Are UC’s Policies Addressing Some Forms Of Misconduct

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.