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

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

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 Mac Arthur 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.

At Berkeley, the best careers are built on a foundation of continuous learning and growth . We actively support professional development by providing all full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours of paid time per year and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups.

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.

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.

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

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.
• Assist with repatriation preparation and…