The IU Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (IUMAA) is Indiana University's newest museum. The IUMAA takes aspects of the former Mathers Museum of World Cultures and the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology and combines them into 1 cohesive experience. With an impactful long-term vision focusing on purposeful storytelling, stewarding collections, and bringing these items to communities, the IUMAA thoughtfully houses and displays over 5 million artifacts that span across a broad range of the human experience. The IUMAA is accessible for research as well as teaching and is culturally connected to our broader community through partnerships with Indigenous communities, advisory boards, and other IUMAA community members.
Job Summary
The Collections Manager, Ethnography 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 ethnographic collections. This position will work closely with operations, the learning and community engagement team, and with students. This position will bring a passion and dedication for collections care, ensuring descendant community requests are honored, respected and integrated collection management procedures for the associated items.
Department-Specific Responsibilities
Manages all ethnographic storage areas (on and off-site) at a high professional standard of safety, cleanliness, artifact storage, and organization.
Documents and catalogs ethnographic artifacts using digital cataloging systems, including detailed descriptions, locations, dimensions, provenance, and photographs.
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).
Implements policies and procedures for repatriations, acquisition, deaccessions, cataloging, handling, storage, and maintenance of ethnographic collections.
Ensures compliance with ethical and legal standards for the repatriation, acquisition, and management of cultural materials.
Collaborates with curators, conservation specialists, descendant communities to assess and address the conservation and stewardship needs of material culture.
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.
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.
Partners with the Museum Registrar to manage the loan of ethnographic artifacts to internal IU units and externally to other institutions, ensuring proper documentation, handling, and transportation.
Collaborates with other museums, cultural organizations, and indigenous communities to enhance collections management policies and procedures.
Collaborates with the learning and community engagement team to support scholarly and public engagement by sharing insights on collections as needed.
Trains and supervises collections assistants, interns, and volunteers in all routine collections and curation activities.
General Responsibilities
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 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, HVAC and cleaning personnel.
Inventories collections, manages student workers, maintains statistical data, updates conservation records with conservation treatment reports provided by independent conservators, attend 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, make process recommendations for improved operational efficiency.
Qualifications
Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.
EDUCATION
Required
Bachelor's degree in museum services or other related field
Preferred
Master's degree in anthropology, museum studies, collections management, cultural studies, or related field with a focus on ethnography
WORK EXPERIENCE
Required
2 years in museum services or other related field
Preferred
4 years experience in museum collection management, legal documentation review, repatriation, and management practices
3 years experience in a museum, library, archive, cultural center, or similar organization with a focus on collections management/stewardship and/or repatriation.
SKILLS
Required
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
Demonstrated experience with documentation review and management practices including a basic understanding of digital asset management and registration practices
Demonstrated experience with collections care, stewardship, and management of diverse and expansive international ethnographic collection
Understanding of U.S. 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 culturally complex, sensitive, or confidential projects - including a demonstrated ability to listen and deal empathetically with a wide range of people and cultural groups
Understanding of equity, inclusion, access, and racial/culturally just practices within museums
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
Working Conditions / Demands
This role requires the ability to effectively communicate and to operate a computer and other standard office productivity equipment. The position involves sedentary work as well as periods of time moving around an office environment and the campus. The position requires lifting up to 40 pounds. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.
Work Location
Bloomington, Indiana
This is an in-person position.
Advertised Salary
Up to $60,000 per year based on education and experience
Benefits Overview
For full-time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including:
Multiple plan options for medical insurance
Dental insurance
Health Savings Account with generous IU contribution
Life insurance, LTD, and AD&D options
Base retirement plan contribution from IU, subject to vesting
Additional supplemental retirement plan options
Tuition benefit for IU classes
10 paid holidays per year
Generous Paid Time Off
Paid Parental Leave
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Learn more about our benefits by reviewing our online Benefits Brochure.
Job Classification
Career Level: Career
FLSA: Exempt
Job Function: Educational Resources & Tech
Job Family: Museum Services
Click here to learn more about Indiana University's Job Framework.
Posting Disclaimer
This posting is scheduled to close at 11:59 pm EST on the advertised Close Date. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University, but will remain open for a minimum of 5 business days. To guarantee full consideration, please submit your application within 5 business days of the Posted Date.
If you wish to include a cover letter, you may include it with your resume when uploading attachments.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Indiana University is an equal employment and affirmative action employer and a provider of ADA services. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on individual qualifications. Indiana University prohibits discrimination based on age, ethnicity, color, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status. Indiana University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs and activities, including employment and admission, as required by Title IX. Questions or complaints regarding Title IX may be referred to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights or the university Title IX Coordinator. See Indiana University's Notice of Non-Discrimination here which includes contact information.
Campus Safety and Security
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, containing policy statements, crime and fire statistics for all Indiana University campuses, is available online. You may also request a physical copy by emailing IU Public Safety at iups@iu.edu or by visiting IUPD.
