NAGPRA Collections Researcher

The NAGPRA Collections Researcher will produce research, documentation, and analysis of Indigenous material culture within the Washington and Lee University’s collections to contribute to the responsible management of these materials and assist in advancing the University’s compliance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). The researcher will report to the Associate Dean of Administrative Affairs for the College.

This is a full-time, fixed-term, benefit eligible position with an appointment term of one year. There is a possibility of fixed-term renewal based upon programmatic needs and performance.

Washington and Lee University actively promotes a dynamic and welcoming environment that allows students and employees of multiple backgrounds and perspectives to learn, work, and thrive together. Successful candidates will contribute to that environment and exhibit potential for excellence in their areas of expertise.

Visit jobs.wlu.edu to learn more about working at W&L, our benefits, the W&L community, and living in the area.

Essential Functions:

• Identify and assess Indigenous material culture, situating objects within appropriate geographic, cultural, and chronological contexts through analysis of materials, forms, styles, and related archival documentation.

• Work closely with an external NAGPRA consulting group to develop compliance documents and prepare federally compliant inventories, summaries, and notices.

• Foster respectful and ongoing relationships with Tribal Nations through consultation, communication, and collaboration in all stages of NAGPRA-related activities.

• Coordinate logistics for consultation visits, including scheduling, documentation, and access to collections.

• Develop and maintain accurate documentation of NAGPRA-related research, inventories, and consultation records in accordance with federal and institutional standards.

• Assist in developing duty-of-care standards for the collection in consultation with Tribal representatives and the University’s NAGPRA consultants.

• Collaborate with institutional stakeholders, including the University Collections of Art and History, Special Collections and Archives, the Office of General Counsel, and the Provost’s Office, to ensure coordinated and compliant practices.

• Contribute to educational initiatives and public programming that raise awareness of NAGPRA, Indigenous heritage, and ethical stewardship.

• May support the formation of a NAGPRA review committee and assist in preparing federal grant applications related to NAGPRA repatriation.

• Related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree is required. Master’s or PhD in Anthropology, Archeology, History, Museum Studies, Sociology or a related field is preferred.

• Experience working with archival, museum, archeological, or similar collections, including locating and analyzing historical documents and working with culturally relevant artifacts. Three or more years of such experience is desirable.

• Familiarity with NAGPRA processes and federal regulations (43 CFR 10) strongly preferred.

• Knowledge of Indigenous material culture, archaeology, and artifact typologies, with the ability to identify and contextualize cultural objects is preferred.

• Experience working collaboratively with Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities or experience from which a similar skillset is derived.

• Strong organizational, analytical, and writing skills.

• Experience or training in archival practices, including organizing paper and digital records. Digitation skills. Working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite

• Ability to work effectively across multiple environments, including archives, museum collections, and field settings.

• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel occasionally.

Application Instructions:

Review of applications will begin in mid-January 2026 and continue until the position is filled.  Required materials include:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Names and contact information for three professional references

Application instructions for internal and external candidates can be found at https://www.wlu.edu/employment-opportunities/jobs-at-w-l.

Physical Requirements:

• Fine Motor Dexterity: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with whole hand or arm as in handling.
• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
• Repetitive motions: Making substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.
• Standing: Remaining upright on the feet, particularly for sustained periods of time.
• Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing or crouching on narrow, slippery or erratically moving surfaces. This factor is important if the amount and kind of balancing the amount and kind of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.
• Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Body agility is emphasized. This factor is important if the amount and kind of climbing required exceeds that required for ordinary locomotion.
• Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires full use of the lower extremities and back muscles.
• Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.
• Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward.
• Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, drag, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.
• Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position to position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires the substantial use of the upper extremities and back muscles.

Working Conditions: The worker is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

Types of Work: Medium work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects

Position Type:

Exempt, Full Time, Benefit Eligible - Fixed Term (Fixed Term)$57,908.00 - Pay Commensurate with Experience