Cultural Resources Associate

Return to the Careers page

Organizational Overview

The Museum of Us (formerly the San Diego Museum of Man) is located on the unceded ancestral homelands of the Kumeyaay Nation in what is now known as Balboa Park. Our mission is inspiring human connections by exploring the human experience—in all of its beauty and its messiness. With our community’s guidance, we’ve transformed an old-school anthropology museum with a legacy of colonial and racist harm into a human-centered museum that builds understanding, empathy, and belonging, and—in turn—the capacity to effectuate positive change. We’re a place for everyone, but especially for those who haven’t been able to tell their own stories in mainstream museums. We’re also a place for the new and future generations of museum-goers, who will continue to expect more from their cultural institutions. The driving force behind our work is developing better and better practices in what a decolonial and anti-racist museum can look like and then creating a ripple effect in the museum field (and beyond). Four interrelated themes loom large for us: Identity, Home, Wellness, and Justice. Every one of our projects/initiatives begins with an examination of whether (and, if so, how) the work is oriented around and informed by our decolonial and anti-racist commitments.

Position Summary

The Cultural Resources Associate is a key member of the Cultural Resources Department team. This position partners with department staff to implement priority initiatives related to the organization and stewardship of cultural resources within a decolonizing framework. This position is responsible for supporting registration and cultural resource management activities including assistance with planned inventories, physical stewardship of cultural resources, repatriations, and supporting Indigenous access requests. This position reports to the Senior Director of Cultural Resources.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Senior Director of Cultural Resources, the Cultural Resources Associate is expected to work collaboratively with individuals throughout Museum of Us and perform the following:

• Assist in the creation and maintenance of physical and electronic records related to NAGPRA, CalNAGPRA, and Colonial Pathways Policy (CPP) compliance work and is inclusive of general activities associated with inventory projects, acquisitions, accessions, deaccessions, provenance, loans, consultations, and other documentation.
• Support Cultural Resources Department staff in NAGPRA, CalNAGPRA, and CPP consultations with Indigenous communities by preparing cultural resources and associated documentation, preparing meeting spaces, and facilitating hospitality logistics.
• Supports requests for access to cultural resources by Indigenous communities, approved researchers, and museum staff in accordance with the Museum’s access policies
• Collaborate with Cultural Resources Department team in the creation and implementation of a multi-year plan to improve housing conditions for cultural resources. This includes inventory projects, the creation housing and display mounts, basic cleaning and preventative conservation, and organizing and maintaining order in housing areas and stewardship supplies.
• Assist with the handling, packing, and inspection of all cultural resources entering or leaving the museum.
• Assist with the installation and de-installation of exhibitions, as well as relevant maintenance on both temporary and permanent exhibitions as needed.
• Support and/or manage interns/volunteers as they assist with projects and day-to-day activities within the department.
• Other duties and projects as assigned.

Experience & Education

• Demonstrated understanding of the colonial legacy of museums and the complexity of colonization’s impact on Indigenous communities (domestic and international).
• Experience with or an eager willingness to learn NAGPRA, CalNAGPRA, and CPP repatriation policies and procedures.
  Experience with or an eager willingness to learn about Indigenous communities and self-care practices when working with culturally sensitive, complex and/or confidential projects inherently tied to colonial trauma.
• Understanding of decolonial practices in regards to the care and management of cultural resources is preferred.
  Minimum of 1-year experience with museum cultural resources and/or registration office operations. Bachelor’s degree preferred but not required.
• Experience with cultural resources and registration management principles including physical archival housing methods, cataloging standards, environmental monitoring, pest control, collections database use, and records management.
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to multi-task, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Strong writing, interpersonal, and communications skills including the ability to work effectively with individuals inside and outside the department or Museum, including Indigenous community representatives.
• Demonstrated experience and ability to achieve deliverables while work collaboratively and independently within tight deadlines and without close supervision.
  

ADA Notations

• Regular sitting, standing, walking, climbing stairs, balancing, crouching, stooping, and communication (talking/hearing).
• Ability to lift and carry large/bulky items weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to move between all areas of the museum, some of which are far apart, are on uneven terrain and require climbing stairs.
• Vision requirements include close vision and ability to adjust focus.
• Noise conditions range from quiet to moderate noise.
• Generally, works during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, but must be available to work occasional flexible hours as needed, including weekends (limited basis with advance notice).

Salary & Benefits

• Part-time pay starting at $20.00 per hour.
• Schedule is flexible with up to 20 hours per week available.
• Position may allow for work from home hours as needed and approved by supervisor in advance
• Rooted in a focus on equitability and sustainability, we offer an exceptional employee benefits package, including:
  • Sick leave (5 days/year)
  • Three days paid Community-Centered leave to support and build community however defined
  • Matching retirement contribution plan, up to 6% of annual salary
  • $100 in “Museum Bucks” for you to support your work-life balance
  • Birthday and anniversary gift cards
  • A human-centered and highly supportive environment, which encourages team members to bring their whole selves to work.

Application Process

The Cultural Resources Associate position application deadline is midnight Pacific Time on September 22, 2024. Please submit your resume and cover letter to culturalresources@museumofus.org.