Description

The Natural History Museum of LA County (NHMLAC) seeks a Collections Manager for Archaeology. The Archaeology collection is part of the museum’s Anthropology department and includes over 100,000 cultural objects. The majority of the collection is from the Americas, with an emphasis on the western United States and Latin America. Tools, decorative, and utilitarian objects are included in the vast assemblage of materials in addition to samples of shell, animal bone, soil, and plant remains that can be used to study past human adaptations. The Collections Manager is supervised by the Curator of Anthropology and works closely with the Collections Manager for Ethnology.

The Collections Manager will oversee the day-to-day operations of the archaeology collection, maintain and improve object records in NHMLAC’s EMu database and other repositories, conserve and organize objects, improve and enhance the collection through physical improvements and digitization projects, facilitate the use of the collection by researchers and other users (including descendent communities), train and supervise volunteers and students, and support the needs of other NHMLAC departments including Exhibitions, Education and Programming, and Communications. The Collections Manager will also assist the NAGPRA Officer with Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and California Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (CalNAGPRA) records and transactions affecting the Archaeology collection.

The Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County (NHMLAC) include the Natural History Museum in Exposition Park and the La Brea Tar Pits in Hancock Park. They operate under the collective vision to inspire wonder, discovery, and responsibility for our natural and cultural worlds. The museums hold one of the world’s most extensive and valuable collections of natural and cultural history—more than 35 million objects—used for groundbreaking scientific and historical research, and community engagement. From NHM’s opening in 1913 as the very first museum in Los Angeles, the organization has entered an exciting new era of transformation with building projects and campaigns, exhibitions, community outreach and impactful audience engagement.

NHMLAC’s values—adventurous, inclusive, authentic, and intentional—guide our work and visitor experience, committing us to foster a welcoming, safe and respectful workplace environment where innovation and collaboration thrive and every team member can contribute their unique perspectives to advance our mission. NHMLAC seeks candidates who are aligned with our values and priorities, and are passionate about connecting science with the vibrant and diverse communities we serve throughout Los Angeles.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Collection Care, Processing, and Improvement: Cares for the collection and manages activities on a day-­to­-day basis, including organizing, storing, securing and conserving objects. Proposes, develops, and oversees plans for collection growth, improvement, and reorganization.  Plans and implements the department’s pest monitoring and management protocols. Processes all incoming and outgoing objects and/or materials including purchases, donations, exchanges, field collections, and loans, serving as a liaison between donors, lenders, and the Registrar’s Office.
Collection Documentation: Provides documentation for the collection, including cataloging, entering/updating database records, inventorying, enhancing documentation through digitization, and researching object, specimen, and/or material information. Initiates, plans, implements, and oversees projects independently and/or as directed by the Curator or the institution.  
NAGPRA and CalNAGPRA Program Support: Keeps accurate documentation of objects under the care of the department that are subject to NAGPRA and CalNAGPRA. Prepares documents, inventories, and official records as directed by the NAGPRA Officer. Facilitates repatriation and consultation.
Research, Community, and Museum  Support: Answers researcher queries; facilitates visits and access to objects and data by researchers using the collection. Understands and liaises with descendant communities, in cooperation with the Curator, to promote collection access. Participates in education and other public program activities of the Museum including but not limited to collection tours, supporting exhibitions, and participation in public museum events. Trains, supervises, and manages students and volunteers.
Stays current with the research field related to the collection including trends and techniques in collections management, collection-based research, conservation, digitization, government regulations, and documentation. May lead or participate in ongoing or original research related to the collection and initiate grants aimed at research or collection improvements.

Requirements

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Any combination of experience and education equivalent to a Master’s degree with specialization in an applicable field and at least two years of technical experience in the collection, organization, care and/or conservation of similar specimens/collections; or a bachelor’s degree in an applicable field and 5 years collection experience.  
Familiarity and experience with tribal nations of North America, particularly California, and ability to successfully navigate interactions requiring collaboration, cultural sensitivity, and confidentiality. This includes the ability and willingness to understand culture history and Native American cultural  sites from academic/scientific and Indigenous perspectives.
Working knowledge of international, federal, and state regulations governing the collection and the use of its objects. This includes, but is not limited to, NAGPRA, CalNAGPRA, and the UNESCO 1970 Convention.
Working knowledge of factors important to the management of archaeology collections, such as historical eras, Native American histories with an emphasis on California, and community standards and existing best practices in a given field. 
Experience writing reports, grants, professional correspondence, and/or procedure manuals.
Experience effectively presenting information to and responding to questions from individuals or groups of managers, scientists, and the general public.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience in collections care and management informed by museum standards and Indigenous perspectives.
Practical experience with NAGPRA/CalNAGPRA implementation and compliance measures.
Experience with database software typically used in natural history or historical collections; working knowledge of common principles of informatics and external data repositories common in these fields.
Experience supervising a diverse team of staff, volunteers, and students.