Curator of Ethnography in Santa Barbara, California at Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and Sea Center

Title: Curator of Ethnography

Classification: Full Time, Exempt

Department: Anthropology

Reports To: Head of the Department of Anthropology

Wage Band: Curators

Pay Range: $72,384 - $81,120 annually*

Mission: The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History inspires a thirst for discovery and a passion for the natural world.

Position Summary: Administers the Department of Anthropology’s ethnographic collections, facilities and related activities. Advances collection acquisitions, research, exhibitions, publications and public programs consistent with the Museum’s mission.

Specific Responsibilities:

Administration

• Assumes responsibility for department operation and attends committee meetings in Department Head’s absence.
• Maintains records of receipt, exchange or loan of collection items.
• Helps to formulate department policies and long-range plans.
• Contributes to annual reports and budgets and identifies, develops, and manages grant proposals and awards.
• Provides information on department activities, collections, facilities, to Department Head, Director of Collections and Research and others as appropriate.

Personnel Management

• Schedules, trains, and supervises department volunteers, interns, and temporary staff.
• Maintains personnel records and time logs for staff.
• Assists Department Head in training and supervising regular staff.

Facility

• Maintains a clean and safe work area.
• Maintains an equipment inventory.
• Collaborates with Department Head to acquire and maintain necessary equipment.
• Works with appropriate staff on environmental monitoring, integrated pest management, emergency procedures, conservation needs, hazard mitigation, security, and safety equipment.

Collections Management

• Evaluates proposed acquisitions through provenance research, legal and ethical review, cultural sensitivity, institutional capacity, and consultation needs; recommends acquisition, decline, transfer, deaccession, or voluntary return in accordance with Museum policy and applicable law.
• Oversees the documentation, inventory, storage, handling, security, access, loan, and exhibition of ethnographic collections in accordance with current professional and culturally appropriate museum standards.
• Conducts condition assessments and develops and maintains schedules for routine collections housekeeping and preventive care.
• Maintains accurate accession, catalog, loan, transfer, deaccession, and related collections records, including responsible management of digital images and culturally sensitive data.
• Coordinates with designated NAGPRA staff on consultation, care, access, research, exhibition, and repatriation matters.

Services

• Provides reference information and instructional services for indigenous visitors, researchers, staff, docents, and the public in accordance with appropriate access protocols.
• Serves as resource person for other departments, and contributes to collaborative, community-based exhibitions, educational programs, publications and public outreach.
• Serves on Museum committees and represents the Museum at community and professional events as requested.
• Builds respectful relationships with Indigenous communities and advances culturally appropriate stewardship.

Research

• Engages in research consistent with Museum priorities and applicable consultation, consent, and access and care requirements, and publishes the results in scholarly and popular formats.
• Attends professional meetings, presents research, and remains current with museum ethics, Indigenous collections stewardship, relevant laws, and professional practice.

Organization-Wide

• Maintain clean, safe, and organized workspaces.
• Follow opening/closing procedures and uphold safety and emergency protocols.
• Supports the Museum’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion for fellow staff, guests, and the community.
• Fosters a spirit of teamwork and collaboration by actively supporting colleagues, sharing knowledge, and contributing to a positive work culture.
• Contributes to a positive guest experience by greeting and addressing any questions when encountering guests as they navigate through the Museum and Sea Center.
• Assist with other Museum educational and special events as needed and approved by the supervisor.
• Other duties as assigned.

Essential Requirements:

• Ph.D. in anthropology or related study with an expertise in Ethnography.
• Experience with basketry, textiles, and other objects from Western North America with a focus on Chumash and California highly desirable.
• Experience in museum techniques specific to scientific research and collections management.
• Demonstrated ability to build respectful, collaborative relationships with Indigenous communities.
• Experience conducting original scientific research and communicating results through publications.
• Working knowledge of federal NAGPRA and CalNAGPRA repatriation frameworks; direct compliance experience is desirable but not required.
• Experience in supervision and training of paid and volunteer staff.
• Strong interpersonal communication and writing skills.
• Strong working knowledge of computer software including database software and Microsoft Office.

Work Environment:

• General office environment with occasional work throughout the museum’s facilities (exhibit halls, conference rooms, and galleries) with occasional evening and weekend work.
• Frequent computer use (repetitive movement – typing).
• Work in a standard scientific research laboratory environment, with occasional handling and use of laboratory and collections chemicals.
• Frequent sitting, standing, walking, climbing ladders and stairs and bending with occasional lifting of light to moderate loads (10-25 lbs.).

*The pay range above represents the budgeted range for a new hire, encompassing the minimum and maximum rates. Placement within this range will depend on factors such as specific skills, qualifications, relevant years of experience, and alignment with the salaries of current employees in similar roles. In most cases, newly hired employees are placed below the midpoint of the range.

The incumbent must be able to perform each requirement of the position as outlined in the job description. Essential Requirements are representative and are essential for satisfactory job performance. The Work Environment characteristics are representative of those that may be encountered while on the job. The Museum will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.