University of Utah

Department 01491 - Assoc. VP Research Integrity Job Summary

The University of Utah seeks to hire a Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) coordinator who will represent University of Utah as the primary point of contact for NAGPRA implementation.

This position will have two primary loci of work – the Natural History Museum of Utah (NHMU), an entity equivalent to a college within the university system, and the broader university as a whole. NHMU has been, and continues to be, compliant with its obligations under NAGPRA. The successful applicant will work collaboratively with staff (as articulated below) to continue concerted repatriation efforts. The University of Utah as a whole requires a more cohesive effort to develop an inventory across entities (e.g. schools, departments, libraries, etc.), engage in consultation with relevant Tribal nations, pursue duty of care agreements, and conduct any necessary repatriations.

The following job description articulates responsibilities across these two loci of work at the university. The successful applicant will have a physical work space in the Research Administration Building and will have a space to work at the NHMU.

Responsibilities

NHMU-specific responsibility:

• Work in close collaboration with NHMU records manager, collections manager, and curators to review NAGPRA related records and materials in order to:

o Assess possible cultural and geographic affiliation in advance of Tribal consultation

o Write summaries and cultural and/or geographic affiliation reports, “Notices of Inventory Completion,” and “Notices of Intent to Repatriate” for compliance with NAGPRA

o Coordinate with state and federal agencies with reposits at NHMU to facilitate their compliance with NAGPRA regulations

o Investigate land ownership at time of collection of NAGPRA eligible items to ascertain responsible party

• Initiate and conduct consultation with appropriate tribal communities to ensure continued compliance with duty of care and facilitate repatriation of NAGPRA materials
• Oversee/manage logistics and facilitation of repatriations
• Attend NHMU Indigenous Advisory Council meetings
• Serve as a member of the NHMU NAGPRA Community of Practice
• Track and communicate NAGPRA deadlines and timelines with NHMU collections staff to facilitate continued compliance with NAGPRA

University of Utah focus of work:

• Manage inventories for collections and/or holdings of ancestral human remains and NAGPRA-eligible objects in UofU, as well as collections of material and digital artifacts held at UofU
• Review and compile cultural and/or geographic affiliation documents and prepare Federal notices and communications
• Manage claims involving repatriation and other appropriate disposition
• Engage, as necessary, the assistance of appropriate subject matter experts, identified in consultation with potentially affiliated Tribe(s)
• Serve as NAGPRA liaison between the University, tribal nations, the National NAGPRA program and other federal and state agencies and/or county officials
• Collaborate to convene tribal community partners to regularly inform, provide updates, and provide a direct line of communication for NAGPRA-related items
• Communicate with required entities to ensure UofU and the NHMU complies with NAGPRA regulations
• Write summaries and cultural and/or geographic affiliation reports “Notices of Inventory Completion,” and “Notices of Intent to Repatriate” for compliance with NAGPRA.
• Serve as the primary point of Tribal contact for all NAGPRA inquiries seeking information about UofU collections with Native American remains and NAGPRA-eligible cultural objects determined in federal and state regulations.
• Act as a Tribal Consultation Facilitator-Agent for UofU collections/inventory by seeking out and fostering relationships and establishing direct lines of communication with designated Tribal Representatives, such as tribal historic preservation officers (THPOs), Cultural Preservation Offices (CPO), Cultural Advisory Boards (CABS) cultural directors, elders councils, preservation or culture committees, and/or other named respective designees to coordinate tribal access to as well as repatriation and disposition of human remains and cultural items and archaeological collections in UofU collection.
• Collaborate with collections managers on management of NAGPRA-eligible remaining collections under UofU stewardship and work with descent communities to ensure access and inclusion.
• Collaborate with and seek input from tribal nations or tribally designated officials to maintain culturally-responsive procedures of care for Native American remains and NAGPRA-eligible cultural objects. This includes coordination to ensure timely access for appropriate cultural protocols/ceremonies of affected tribes.
• Participate in the UofU Task Force for Repatriation (and its resulting governing body)
• Assist in developing UofU policy and guidance documents on repatriation
• Provide needed training at the UofU about the NAGPRA requirements, the UofU policy and associate guidance documents
• Meet regularly with the Associate VP for Research Integrity & Compliance

Primary duties of this position will be performed at NHMU, with additional responsibility for ensuring NAGPRA compliance across the UofU campus.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in a related area or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience). Four to six years of progressively more responsible management experience. Background knowledge of hiring department’s area of specialization in order to analyze, plan and draw conclusions for recommendations to superiors. Demonstrated leadership skills in planning and directing employees and processes in order to effectively monitor and develop subordinates and to ensure the smooth operation of department. Completion of provided supervisory training within one year of employment may be required. Master’s degree in a related area may be preferred.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Preferences

BA/BS required, MA/MS preferred, minimum 3 years work experience in NAGPRA compliance/collections and/or museum settings

Additional Information

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented students and patients.

All qualified individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (OEO/AA). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at: https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/

Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu

https://safety.utah.edu/safetyreport This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.