Benefits:

Health insurance

Paid time off

Wellness resources

Closes: 10/20/2025

MUSEUM CURATOR/NAGPRA ASSISTANT

Reports To: Cultural Preservation Director/THPO

Salary (Grade): $22.73 (G17-E)

Status: Reg. Full-Time (Non-Exempt)

Location: 601 E. College Dr. Angel Decora Museum, Winnebago NE 68071

Job Purpose & Position Overview

The Museum Curator/NAGPRA (Native American Graves Repatriation Act) Assistant, will assist the Cultural Preservation Director/THPO (CPD/THPO) in accomplishing identified goals and action to be taken through the NAGPRA and its applicable Federal Rules and Regulations. The position assists the CPD/THPO in Repatriation of Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska’s identified cultural items to the Tribe.

The Museum Curator/NAGPRA Assistant will be responsible for giving tours to the public, providing tribal history, curate, work and design displays, maintaining and inventorying all the tribal artifacts and archives. Along with being responsible for artifacts and archival material and educational presentations both virtually and in person and will assist with all social media platforms.

They must have an understanding of the Winnebago Tribal history and work with tribal members as well as the public, and answer questions and provide recommendations to appropriate resources when necessary.

The Museum Curator will also aid and work with the THPO to accomplish identified goals in relations to NAGPRA, such as identifying and working to repatriate ancestral remains, associated and unassociated funerary objects, sacred objects and objects of cultural patrimony within outside institutions and entities.

Specific Job Duties/Responsibilities:

Demonstrate the Winnebago Tribe’s core mission, vision, and values.

Submit monthly reports to the Director with information of previous months’ activities.

Experience working within a museum.

Catalog and properly store museum artifacts, art and archival materials in a respectful way.

Assists CPD/THPO in the development and implementation of Tribal Repatriation and Historic Preservation Program objectives and goals.

Deliver educational presentations virtually and in person, both on and off the reservation and in different education settings.

Supervisory duties when needed.

Assists CPD/THPO in the Repatriation and Reburial of Ancestral Remains and or Objects.

Performs computer work including development and implementation of NAGPRA inventory database to develop reporting capabilities as to where remains/artifacts are located.

Assists the CPD/THPO with consulting with/ site visits museums, institutions, and repositories holding NAGPRA materials.

Submit and conduct repatriation claims as set forth on National Register Standards.

Maintains a record and upkeep of tribal collections, including but not limited to baskets, regalia, artifacts archaeological objects, and the tribe’s archives.

Submits reports and requests regarding Ancestral Remains and Objects that are or may be Culturally Affiliated to the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska.

Facilitates the accession, deaccession, loan, documentation, registration, and preparation of collections.

Organizes and systematically stores artifacts and associated data for ease of access and long-term preservation.

Facilitates internal and external access and use of collections for purposes of research, education, loan, and exhibit.

Facilitates the publications, documentation, and other requirements of NAGPRA.

Assist in maintaining the social media platforms of the department.

Provides administration of and expertise on collections databases and reports.

Maintain the written and digital museum files.

Performs general office work including answering phone, filing, typing, maintaining and updating records and databases as required.

Performs research to locate and acquire records and items relevant to the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska.

Teaching and assisting teachers in schools about the history of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska.

Monitor construction sites for inadvertent discoveries with the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer.

Duties listed are only an illustration of various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

Required Qualifications/Skills:

Bachelor’s Degree in history, anthropology, archaeology, museum studies, or equivalent training.

Previous experience or education focusing on Native American cultural heritage issues is desirable.

Understanding of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska’s culture, heritage and practices. Knowledge of the history, culture, laws, rules, customs and traditions of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska.

Experience with formal consultation and implementation of NAGPRA, including inventory of human remains and artifact collections, cataloging, collections documentation, determinations of cultural affiliation, publishing formal Notices, with preference for experience with Culturally Unidentifiable human remains and artifact collections.

Knowledge of TCP (Traditional Cultural Places), NAGPRA, and Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin State Burial Laws.

Ability to analyze, evaluate and resolve operational, procedural problems.

Adhere to Tribal Employment Policy and Procedures.

Accurate and timely completion of assigned duties.

Respectfully organize and conduct oral history interviews.

Assist with ensuring safe transport of Ancestral Remains and objects.

Responsible for proper treatment and storage of Ancestral Remains and objects.

Must be spirituality strong enough to deal with troubling situations.

Knowledge of the Ho-Chunk language, culture, history and people or a strong willingness to learn.

Previous work and/or experience working within a tribal institution desirable.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Supervisory responsibility when necessary.

Training Requirements:

Acquires necessary training to meet job requirements as described above.

Physical Requirements:

Normal to Heavy work which includes the ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

Regularly required to walk, stand, and sit for extended periods of time and use hands to operate computer keyboard, phone, and various office equipment.

Climbing, stooping, kneeling, crawling, reaching, manual handling, use of smell, far vision, depth perception, field of vision, and vending. Working conditions include occasional exposure to weather, extreme heat/cold and wet/humidity.

Walking or hiking for lengthy periods when needed.

While performing daily duties, the employee must be attentive of the museum and visitors.

Mental Requirements:

Reading, writing, calculating

Above average social interaction skills

Reasoning/Analysis

Able to work independently

Language Requirements:

Must possess the ability to read, write, and speak the English language fluently.

Must be able to continually and effectively employ professional verbal and written communications skills.

HOW TO APPLY:

Submit an application at www.winnebagotribe.com, a resume, cover letter, and two (2) letters of recommendation are required. Applications submitted after the closing date or without proper documents will not be considered.

If claiming Native American or Veteran preference, please include pertinent documentation.

Call Human Resources at 402-878-2272 for further information.

As provided by Federal Law, all qualified Native American applicants shall receive preference over Non-Native American applicants. In the absence of qualified Native American applicants, consideration will be given to all other applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, disability or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits.