Collections Coordinator

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world‑renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly‑regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning.

As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

Collections Coordinator

Assistant Museum Collections, University Museum

The Collections Coordinator, NAGPRA reporting to the NAGPRA Project Coordinator who reports, in turn, to the Curator/Keeper of the American Section, will provide support to the NAGPRA Project Coordinator with all aspects of work required to maintain the University’s compliance of the Native American Graves Protections and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 1990. Responsibilities include preparing, creating, maintaining, and updating inventories and summaries as defined by NAGPRA;

assisting with tribal consultations and repatriation work and visits; conducting collections management, documentation, and research work and stewardship; administrative tasks, and additional tasks as assigned.

• Conduct documentation, research, collections management and stewardship, and data entry/database management work for NAGPRA collections and other related.
• Assist NAGPRA Coordinator in responding to requests for information related to ethnographic, archaeological, and biological collections from the United States.
• Assist with all aspects of tribal consultations and repatriation including but not limited to visit preparation, administrative tasks, documentation, and data entry.
• Collaborate with Federal agencies regarding federal collections housed at the Penn Museum.
• Assist with outreach efforts as needed.
• Train and supervise interns, student workers, and volunteers.
• Additional duties as assigned.

• Minimum: BA/BS required, with MA/MS preferred, in a field related to Anthropology, Museum Studies, or Native American Studies, and a minimum of 0 to 1 years of relevant experience managing museum collections including inventorying, record keeping, and knowledge of archaeological and ethnographic materials, or equivalent combination of both.
• Computer literacy and experience with collections management databases are required, with EMu experience preferred.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail is required.
• The ability to multi‑task is required.
• Object‑handling experience is required.
• Manual dexterity is required.
• The ability to lift up to 25 lbs is required, 50 lbs preferred.
• Occasionally lifting less than 25 lbs.
• A valid driver’s license is required.
• The NAGPRA Project Collections Assistant position requires a strong work ethic, professionalism, commitment to integrity, and a strict adherence to maintaining confidentiality is expected.
• The work environment typically includes sitting at a desk, computer room or library, with some standing and walking.
• No supervisory responsibilities.

• A Cover Letter and Resume/CV are required to be considered for this position. Please upload your Cover Letter where it asks you to upload your Resume/CV; multiple documents are allowed.

Please note that this position is a bargaining unit position represented by a labor union. Job related responsibilities, duties, qualifications, and compensation associated with this position are determined by a collective bargaining…