NAGPRA Repatriation Provenance Specialist; Government and Community Relations

NAGPRA Repatriation Provenance Specialist (6127C) Government and Community Relations - 85094

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The NAGPRA Repatriation Team reports to the Assistant Chancellor, Government and Community Relations. The Government and Community Relations (GCR) office builds relationships with community leaders, elected officials, government agencies and third‑party advocates to further the mission of UC Berkeley in the public sector. The issues of primary focus for the GCR team include student financial aid, admissions, scientific research, Tribal relations and other policies at the forefront of higher education and government.

GCR also coordinates the University’s response to a wide range of political and policy issues, and advises administrators and faculty on strategies to gain constructive dialogue with government, Tribal nations and community leaders.

Reporting to the NAGPRA Program Manager, this role assists the UC Berkeley NAGPRA team in maintaining the legal and ethical integrity of the repatriation process. The team is responsible for ensuring the campus complies with federal (NAGPRA) and state (CalNAGPRA) laws, along with University of California policies regarding cultural affiliation and the return of ancestral remains and items.

The person in this position aids Tribal and descendant consultations by researching and organizing archival data from various campus collections. Key responsibilities include conducting archival research, managing department files, and preparing finding aids or biographical reports. Additionally, the incumbent may participate in on‑site Tribal visits to support the consultation and repatriation of Native American ancestors and belongings.

The First Review Date for this job is: 04/02/2026.

• Biographical Research:
  Author detailed biographies and briefs on private collectors, donors, informants, Indian Agents, and field collectors (including linguists and anthropologists) related to belongings and archives.
• Collection Histories:
  Document the past utilization of collections, including exhibition history, loans, and trades with other institutions.
• Provenance Research:
  Synthesize available information to support liaisons’ efforts to identify original artists, families, societies, or clans connected to regalia, baskets, and other cultural items, as well as ownership history.
• Resource Integration:
  Locate and digitally synthesize primary documentation from various campus units, including The Bancroft Library, Phoebe
  
  A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology, California Language Archive, Museum of Paleontology, Museum of Zoology, and the Archaeological Research Facility (ARF). Works with scholars across the UCB campus to encourage…