NAGPRA Program Lead

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 26406

Position Number 4C0105

Department Research Integrity and Compliance

Division Office of Research and Economic Development

Appointment Type Professional

Contract Term Fiscal Year

FLSA Exempt

Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining

FTE 1.0

Salary starting at $80,000 annually, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications

Contract Type LOA

Recruitment Type Open

The NAGPRA Program Lead coordinates compliance, consultations, repatriations, and other activities associated with ensuring MSU’s compliance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) federal regulation by coordinating inventory and curation of Native American artifacts and remains.

This position will work to strengthen MSU’s NAGPRA program and will report directly to the Associate Vice President of Research Compliance.

The Office of Research Compliance (ORC) oversees University programs to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations for research. ORC creates and supports an environment that furthers the ethical and responsible conduct of research.

• Develop and implement a detailed MSU NAGPRA policy, in coordination with the MSU NAGPRA team, Legal Counsel, and Administration, ensuring compliance with NAGPRA and all applicable laws and policies.
• Update and manage inventories of ancestral human remains and NAGPRA‑eligible objects in MSU collections, compile cultural affiliation documents, and prepare Federal notices and communications.
• Work closely with Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (THPO) and/or their designees to coordinate tribal access to, and repatriation and disposition of, human remains and cultural items and archaeological collections in MSU’s custody.
• Represent MSU as lead NAGPRA staff at regular meetings with tribal government officials and representatives to coordinate compliance, address tribal concerns, and negotiate culturally sensitive resolutions.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for all NAGPRA inquiries seeking information about Native American remains and objects falling under NAGPRA regulations.
• Advance MSU’s NAGPRA standing through attendance at conferences and workshops, service on advisory panels, and holding office or performing relevant committee assignments in professional organizations.
• Participate in promoting and coordinating outreach activities for research and education.
• Collaborate and consult closely with the MSU NAGPRA team representatives in matters of compliance and procedure.
• Develop and submit grant proposals and funding requests to support NAGPRA activities.
• Administer NAGPRA‑related budgets and purchase all necessary materials and supplies.
• Establish work priorities and supervise all employees assigned to them in support of these tasks.
• Work with MSU’s Legal Counsel on MOUs for non‑NAGPRA repatriation.

• Master’s degree in Indigenous Studies, Museum Studies, or related field that provided experience with cultural collections management and collaborating with tribal nations on repatriation plans; or three years equivalent experience working with American Indian tribes to repatriate NAGPRA related or other items of cultural significance, or working with descent communities and caring for culturally significant objects; and/or equivalent training, education or experience with traditional Tribal Elders, Tribal Cultural Departments and Historians, or Tribal Historic Preservation Officers.
• At least one year of experience working with institutions on collections‑related ethical and legal commitments, including but not limited to NAGPRA and 36 C.F.R. § 79, “Curation of Federally‑Owned and Administered Archaeological Collections.”
• Experience working with archaeological methods, archaeological collections, and culturally sensitive artifacts, including experience handling ancestral remains, funerary objects and other cultural objects.
• Knowledgeable about the Indigenous communities of…