Indiana University · 2 days ago
Collections Manager (Museum Registrar), Archaeology, IUMAA
Bloomington, IN
Full-time
Onsite
Entry, Mid Level
$0/yr - $60K/yr
2+ years expIndiana University (IU) Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (IUMAA) is seeking a Collections Manager for Archaeology to manage collections and support research and curation. The role involves developing collections access policies, ensuring compliance with ethical standards, and collaborating with various stakeholders including Indigenous communities.
Higher Education
Responsibilities
Partners interdepartmentally and across disciplines to manage collections and support research, curation, the development of collections access policies, repatriation, and the implementation of shared-stewardship and culturally conscious conservation models in the archaeology collections
Reports directly to the Director of Curatorial Affairs, and closely collaborates with the Executive Director, Curator of Midwest Archaeology, and the grant writing and external communications department. Works closely with operations, the learning and community engagement team, students, and researchers
Leads efforts to document and catalog archaeology artifacts using digital cataloging systems, including detailed descriptions, provenance, condition reports, and photographs
Updates and maintains detailed and accessible records on the Museum's past and current outreach, notification, consultation, and repatriation processes with Indigenous communities (NAGPRA/non-NAGPRA/international). Works with department staff as necessary to create procedures that maintain intellectual control of this information
Implements policies and procedures for repatriations, acquisition, deaccessions, restitution, cataloging, handling, storage, and maintenance of archaeology collections
Ensures compliance with ethical and legal standards for the repatriation, acquisition, and management of cultural materials, materials on loan, artifacts, and state/local materials
Maintains accurate and comprehensive records of collections, adhering to museum standards, stewardship policies, and practices
Collaborates with curators, conservation specialists, and descendant communities to assess and address the conservation and stewardship needs of artifacts
Develops and implements strategies to mitigate environmental risks, prevent deterioration, and align with the stewardship protocols and guidelines indicated by the descendant community, if applicable
Supports the interpretive planning team, curators, exhibit designers, and educators to develop innovative, engaging, and dynamic exhibitions and displays as needed
Assists and collaborates in the selection and arrangement of artifacts, interpretive materials, and multimedia elements within the archaeology collections
Provides access to collections for descendant communities, tribal consultants, IU NAGPRA, researchers, scholars, and students in alignment with the goals of the Museum and the collection access policies
Manages and maintains the IUMAA collections in alignment with the Collections Management policies and procedures
Manages and maintains all the records, recording, stewardship, and associated tasks with federal, faculty, and other external collections that IUMAA stewards in partnership with the Museum Registrar
Partners with the Museum Registrar to manage the loan of archaeology objects to other IU units or external institutions, ensuring proper documentation, handling, and transportation
Collaborates with other museums, cultural organizations, and Indigenous communities to enhance collections management policies and procedures
Approaches the management of archaeology collections with sensitivity and awareness of the ethical considerations involved in working with culturally sensitive materials and communities harmed by the Museum, and the colonial legacy of anthropology, academia, and the museum field at large
Collaborates with the learning and community engagement team to support scholarly and public engagement by sharing insights on collections as needed
Manages part-time, practicum, and student workers professional growth at the museum while also meeting their work deliverables in collections
Trains and supervises collections assistants, interns, and volunteers in all routine collections and curation activities
Creates and manages the database for collection records which includes processing, photographing, cataloging, and locating all incoming exhibits in the museum system
Generates reports depending on the need and information entered. These reports are needed to list object locations for inventory purposes, to provide the object's information for gift documentation, to provide collection and statistical data, and financial information as requested by the budgetary team
Oversees arrangements and documentation for new acquisitions and registration aspects of incoming and outgoing artwork, artifacts, and collections loans, including working with donors and lenders and preparing outgoing and incoming loan documentation and receipts. Provides rights and reproductions documentation when requested and coordinates with photographers for high-resolution images. Manages paper and digital files and creates forms as needed to ensure efficient workflow
Assists with budget and strategic planning
Coordinates with Information Technology (IT) to ensure collections database and multimedia servers are maintained and ensures staff technology requirements are satisfied. Oversees collections storage security by monitoring humidity and temperature fluctuations and ensuring a secure environment for collections and staff, pest management, Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC), and cleaning personnel
Inventories collections, manages student workers, maintains statistical data, updates conservation records with conservation treatment reports provided by independent conservators, attends training, and trains users. Coordinates with moving and setups and other collections handlers to ensure the safe transportation of artwork, artifacts, and collections
May provide guidance and delegate administrative tasks to other museum services staff
May make process recommendations for improved operational efficiency
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in museum services or related field
2 years in museum services or related field
Proficient communication skills
Maintains a high degree of professionalism
Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills
Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
Possesses flexibility to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
Seeks to acquire knowledge in area of specialty
Highly thorough and dependable
Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure
Preferred
Master's degree in archaeology, museum studies, library sciences, collections management, cultural studies, or related field
3 years of experience in a museum, library, archive, cultural center, or similar organization with a focus on collections management/stewardship and/or repatriation
Experience in conservation and care, inventory, environmental monitoring, loan agreement processing, and community centered consultations
Demonstrated experience with documentation review and management practices, including a working knowledge of collection databases (FileMaker preferred) and registration practices
Demonstrated experience with midwestern archaeology, archaeological field work, and historical legacy and contemporary presence and importance of Indigenous mounds and archaeological sites
Demonstrated experience with collections care, stewardship, and management of expansive international archaeology collection
Understanding of United States domestic laws relating to museums, repatriation, museum collections, and/or international repatriation laws and loan agreements
Demonstrated understanding of the colonial legacy of museums, anthropology, and academia and the complexity of colonization's impact on Indigenous communities (domestic and international)
Demonstrated experience working directly with Indigenous communities navigating colonial histories and (re)building sustainable transparent relationships
Experience in assisting with complex, sensitive, or confidential projects, including a demonstrated ability to listen and work empathetically with a wide range of people
Understanding of museum practices that create a welcoming environment for all visitors
Demonstrated experience and ability to achieve deliverables while working collaboratively and independently without close supervision within tight deadlines
Collaborative and autonomous approach with a focus on keeping the entire team updated
Dynamic museum professional with a passion and dedication for collections care
Benefits
Comprehensive medical and dental insurance
Health savings account with generous IU contributions
Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
Basic group life insurance paid by IU
Voluntary supplemental life, long-term disability, critical illness, and supplemental accidental death & dismemberment insurance
Base retirement plan with generous IU contributions, subject to vesting
Voluntary supplemental retirement plan options
Tuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses
10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each year
Generous paid time off plans
Paid leave for new parents and IU-sponsored volunteer events
Employee assistance program (EAP)
Company
Indiana University
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