Riverside, CA - Native Policy Lab Field Researcher (part-time)

University of Iowa; Iowa City (IA); On-site; USD 23,419 - 31,684; Part time

Job summary

University of Iowa is seeking multiple temporary, part-time field researchers to assist with Project Return for the Native Policy Lab. The project is funded through June 2028 and involves returning Indian boarding school records to survivors who request them. Duties include training, records handling, and local travel to National Archives.

The position offers $20/hour with ongoing, flexible hours. Applicants must be located near one of the specified National Archives field offices and have no

Qualifications

• No education level or student-status requirements.
• Must be located near one of the National Archives field offices: Denver, CO; Fort Worth, TX; Kansas City, MO; Riverside, CA; San Bruno, CA; or Seattle, WA.

Responsibilities

• Complete required training (National Archives Researcher Orientation, Safe Handling of Library and Archival Materials).
• Communicate with NPL researchers and maintain clear communication.
• Travel locally to the National Archives as needed.
• Fulfill records requests promptly per NPL expectations.
• Carefully scan historic Indian boarding school records.
• Maintain confidentiality in all duties.
• Perform other site-based duties related to Project Return as assigned.

Job description

Position Summary

The Native Policy Lab (NPL) at the University of Iowa is hiring multiple temporary, part‑time, hourly, paid field researchers to assist with Project Return. Project Return is an initiative of the NPL to return Indian boarding school records to all survivors who want them. This project is currently funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation through June 2028. To learn more about the project, please view this article https://now.uiowa.edu/news/2025/07/ui-associate-professor-receives-mellon-foundation-grant-partner-native-nations-2.

Duties To Include

• Completion of the National Archives Researcher Orientation training and Safe Handling of Library and Archival Materials training.
• Corresponding with NPL researchers and maintaining clear communication.
• Local travel to the National Archives.
• Fulfilling records requests in a timely manner that meets NPL expectations.
• Careful scanning of historic Indian boarding school records.
• Duties completed with attention to confidentiality requirements.
• Other site‑based duties related to Project Return as assigned.

Position Basics

$20/hour.

Schedule

Ongoing, part time, flexible hours.

Required Qualifications

• No education level or student‑status requirements.
• Must be located near one of the following National Archives field offices: Denver, CO; Fort Worth, TX; Kansas City, MO; Riverside, CA; San Bruno, CA; or Seattle, WA.

Desirable Qualifications

• Knowledge of or experience working within Indian Country.