Curator of Collections

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Position Summary, Requirements, and Qualifications

Overview

The Department of Anthropology at Northern Illinois University is a community of scholars devoted to research, teaching, learning and service. We are a relatively small and student-oriented department. Our goal is to provide students with a broad education across all aspects of anthropology, while also making the student an engaged learner through hands‑on research and learning experiences. We prepare students for entry level jobs in fields as diverse as NGOs, government, museums and archaeology, or for advance study through master’s or doctoral programs.

Position Summary

Responsible for the care and protection of museum collections, including assisting with the development and implementation of collections policies, maintaining safe storage and gallery facilities, and providing appropriate care of collections. Responsible for collections development including provenance research, review and recommendation of potential acquisitions, and accessioning of accepted materials in consultation with Museum Director. Responsible for conducting review of Native American collections in the care of the Department of Anthropology and Pick Museum of Anthropology, consulting with Tribes, and preparing documents relating to the Native American Grave and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA).

Responsible for promoting and facilitating access and use of museum collections.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Collections Care

• Maintain the care, access, and security of all items in the Pick Museum of Anthropology collections, including archaeological, ethnological, and archival materials
• Assist with development of policies and procedures related to collections management in consultation with Collections Committee, with emphasis on culturally appropriate care
• Maintain and update the record keeping and registration for all museum collections, using physical and digital filing systems and relational databases (currently using Past Perfect Web Edition)
• Implement culturally appropriate data management practices in consultation with descendant communities
• Conduct research on museum collections and manage projects addressing collection issues (found in collection items, unclear provenance, conservation needs)
• Conduct provenance research, review and make recommendations for potential acquisitions, and accession accepted materials in consultation with Museum Director. Work with Museum Director to develop a collection plan, including making recommendations on deaccessioning and identifying collections for community consultation and potential repatriation
• Oversee the ongoing care of the collection facilities including monitoring and addressing environmental conditions and pest management

NAGPRA Consultations and Compliance

• Review collection objects and accession groups potentially connected to Native American tribes and subject to the Native American Grave Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and identify areas requiring additional consultation
• Reach out to Tribal representatives to reopen or initiate consultations as needed
• Lead consultations with Tribal representatives, including responding to requests for additional information, coordinating consultations with multiple parties, and conducting meetings via phone, video call or in person
• Prepare and submit updated or new NAGPRA summaries or inventories as needed
• Assist with review of repatriation requests including preparing reports for NIU NAGPRA Committee and drafting and submission of Notices of Intent to Repatriate
• Coordinate and oversee all aspects of repatriations, including making travel arrangements, scheduling meetings, and preparing paperwork

Access and Use of Collection

• Lead efforts to make collections information accessible online, including digitizing records, photographing collection items, and updating records as needed and appropriate.
• Respond to and facilitate requests for access to collections
• Assist with educational use of collections, including selecting appropriate objects, developing activities or lesson plans, and leading class visits
• Promote access and use of museum collections by producing content for social media, newsletters, and website, as well as, representing museum at events on and off campus.
• Consult regarding use of collection items in exhibitions and prepare condition reports and…