Repatriation Program Specialist

UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 47,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Life and disability insurance

Paid vacation and sick leave

Tuition reduction for employee and/or/

Job summary

The University of Arizona’s Arizona State Museum seeks a Repatriation Program Specialist to provide administrative, billing, and case-tracking support within the Repatriation Office. You will manage deadlines, prepare Burial Discovery Agreement materials, review compliance reports, and assist with ARS §41-844/865 disposition workflows for planned projects.

This exempt, full-time position requires careful data management, strong communication, and discretion handling sensitive cultural materials

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Anthropology (or related field) or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

Responsibilities

• Maintain statutory deadlines and case files for human remains disturbances and disposition agreements.
• Process Burial Discovery Agreement documentation for projects.
• Review work plans, final reports, and reports of remains.
• Triager and respond to inquiries for new project submissions requiring evaluation.
• Coordinate with law enforcement, landowners, or CRM consultants for administrative processing.

Skills

Cultural sensitivity

Case tracking

Administrative support

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Anthropology

Tools

Access

Job description

The Arizona State Museum (ASM) at the University of Arizona is seeking a Repatriation Program Specialist to provide administrative, logistical, and operational support within the Repatriation Office (RO). Reporting to the Assistant Repatriation Coordinator, this position plays an important role in supporting the museum’s statutory obligations under Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) § 41-844 and § 41-865. Responsibilities include tracking statutory deadlines, processing Burial Discovery Agreement application materials, reviewing compliance reports and deliverables, maintaining physical and digital case files, updating databases, tracking time, and preparing invoices for services.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here .

Duties & Responsibilities

Administrative and Case Tracking Support

• Maintain statutory deadlines, physical and digital case files, and the database for ongoing human remains disturbances, project notifications, and disposition agreements.
• Process, prepare, and archive Burial Discovery Agreement (BDA) documentation for planned archaeological and development projects.
• Review work plans, final reports, and Report of Remains.
• Triage, prioritize and respond to inquiries and applicants in the central email and manages the intake queue for new project submissions requiring evaluation and interpretation.
• Facilitate the immediate administrative processing of inadvertent human remains encounters reported by law enforcement, landowners, or CRM consultants.
• Ensure accuracy of initial notifications to optimize the Coordinator’s rapid-response timeline and, with moderate guidance, may communicate with reporting parties and stakeholders information requiring significant explanation or interpretation.

Records and Archival Maintenance

• Steward highly sensitive data, including maps of archaeological sites, osteological documentation, and engagement between ASM and Native American Tribes and other descendent communities.
• Audit archives to ensure accuracy of information.

Billing

• Coordinate invoicing for Mandated Programs services.

Repatriation Program Support

• Partner with leadership in managing the museum’s statutory obligations under A.R.S. § 41-844 and § 41-865.
• Serve on internal committees related to Repatriation Office activities.
• Coordinate with staff on curatorial tasks associated with repatriation.
• Conduct research to support ongoing repatriation projects.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of cultural backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, with an understanding of the importance of cultural sensitivity and awareness.
• Ability to interact effectively and professionally with individuals from varied communities with cultural competence.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and carry outadministrative processes efficiently while maintaining accurate records, coordinating multiple tasks, and meeting deadlines.
• Ability to apply strong organizational skills to support daily operations, ensure compliance with policies and procedures, and maintain effective workflow in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to communicate clearly, respectfully, and effectively with colleagues and partners in written and verbal capacities.
• Abilityto apply sound judgement when working with confidential and sensitive materials and culturally significant matters.
• Ability to safeguard information, follow established protocols, and navigate complex situations with discretion, respect, and professionalism.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Anthropology (or related field), or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience or coursework involving federal (NAGPRA) or state (A.R.S. § 41-844/865) repatriation legislation.
• Prior experience in cultural resource management in the American Southwest.
• Prior experience with osteology and human remains recovery and/or documentation in the American Southwest.
• Prior experience with Access or other relational databases.

FLSA

Exempt

Full Time/Part Time

Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week 40

Job FTE 1.0

Work Calendar Fiscal

Job Category Cultural Institutions

Benefits Eligible Yes - Full Benefits

Rate of Pay $47,356 - $59,195

Compensation Type salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)

Grade 6

Compensation Guidance

The Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity.
The Grade Range represent a full range of career compensation growth over time. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator .

Career Stream and Level

PC2

Job Family

Cultural Institutions Compl

Job Function

Cultural Institutions

Type of criminal background check required:

Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)

Number of Vacancies

1

Contact Information for Candidates Jim Watson | [e-mail]

Open Date

9/18/2026

Open Until Filled

Yes

Documents Needed to Apply

Curriculum Vitae (CV) and Cover Letter

Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University’s campuses.Thesereports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.
Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at [e-mail].