Our Environmental Sciences division at Argonne National Laboratory is seeking a Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) Specialist to join their team. The person will work closely with the Principal Investigator, Project Manager, and other team members to support a federal sponsor in a review of their archaeological collections in locations across the United States. The person will aid in the determination of the presence or absence of human remains and cultural items as defined in the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990 (NAGPRA; USC §§ 3001-3013) and its implementing regulations (43 CFR Part 10), in archaeological collections amassed by a federal sponsor prior to 1990, recommend various courses of action in compliance with 43 CFR Part 10, and support the execution of those actions as determined by the sponsor.

Responsibilities include:

• Travel 30%- 40% to various domestic locations and collections repositories and conduct collections-based research and analysis, including examination of archives and investigations into provenience and provenance of cultural items.
• Review archaeological documents and archaeological collections inventories for potential NAGPRA human remains or cultural items.
• Prepare NAGPRA documentation including inventory notices, consultation letters, notices of inventory completion, summaries of holdings or collections, notices of intended repatriation, and repatriation statements.
• Support Tribal consultation efforts and provide recommendations to the sponsor for consulting with Native American Tribes, Native Hawaiian Organizations, and/or Alaskan Native Villages to determine cultural affiliation, including, but not limited to, coordinating conference calls, coordinating site visits, note-taking, facilitating meetings and general meeting planning and logistics.
• Assist in the development of recommendations to return human remains and cultural items to Native American Tribes, Native Hawaiian Organizations, and/or Alaskan Native Villages.
• Enter data into the project database and maintain the accuracy, completeness, and consistency of data and information related to research and consultations.
• Communicate with team members, sponsors, Native American Tribes, Native Hawaiian Organizations, and/or Alaskan Native Villages, as needed to complete project objectives (phone calls, meetings, emails, etc.).
• Communicate frequently with other project managers and points of contact to maintain coordination and consistency across the department.
• Adhere to project health and safety plans when travel is required.
• Participate in office and field training and meetings, as necessary.
• Take initiative, resolve problems, and create improved procedures to ensure tasks are completed in the most effective manner.

Position Requirements

Required skills and qualifications:

• Masters degree in anthropology, archaeology, indigenous studies, museum studies, bioarcheology, forensic anthropology, physical anthropology, or similar and 3+ years of experience consulting with representatives of Native American Tribes, Native Hawaiian Organizations, and/or Alaskan Native Villages under NAGPRA
• Minimum of 3+ years of experience working with archaeological collections
• Demonstrated experience with procedures, policies, and activities related to compliance with NAGPRA
• Knowledge of Native American history
• Experience working with culturally sensitive artifacts
• Experience writing reports, professional correspondence, and/or procedural documents
• Experience managing multiple clients and multiple projects simultaneously
• Knowledge of archaeological field methods (archaeological survey practice, data recovery techniques, etc.) and reporting (site records, reports, etc.), and factors important to the management of archaeology collections, such as historical eras, archaeological contexts, geological formations, collections standards, and existing best practices
• Ability to establish goals, workload priorities, and to follow through to successful completion
• Ability to work collaboratively and communicate in a clear, professional, and sensitive manner
• Ability to assume responsibility and to work independently with minimum guidance
• Awareness of, and sensitivity to, cultural and linguistic differences
• Effective oral and written communications
• Skill in establishing effective working relationships with colleagues and sponsors, including the ability to effectively coordinate team activities as they relate to project tasks.
• Help with additional tribal consultation tasks, as needed.
• Ability to model Argonne’s Core Values: Impact, Safety, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork.
• Experience with Microsoft Suite Programs; with an emphasis in Teams, Word, Access, and Excel.
• To perform the essential functions of this position successful applicants must provide proof of U.S. citizenship, which is required to comply with federal regulations and contract.
• Travel 30%- 40% to various domestic locations

Preferred skills and qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in anthropology, archaeology, indigenous studies, museum studies, bioarcheology, forensic anthropology, physical anthropology, or similar.
• Experience conducting NAGPRA inventories and tribal consultation related to NAGPRA
• Degree in bioarchaeology, forensic anthropology, or physical anthropology
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in the identification and documentation of human remains

RD2: Master’s and 3+ years of experience, or a PhD and 0+ years of experience

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