Archeology Collections Coordinator

Ohio History Connection•Columbus, OH

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Archaeology Collections Coordinator oversees the care, documentation, and accessibility of the museum's Archaeology collections, ensuring they meet professional and regulatory standards. This role processes curated collections, maintains accurate records within the Collections Management System, oversees storage and environmental controls, and provides technical guidance to staff and external partners. The coordinator also fosters professional relationships with state and federal agencies and contributes to the development of policies and procedures that safeguard the long-term preservation and accessibility of the Archaeology collections.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Archaeology, Anthropology, or a related field.
One to three years of relevant working experience with Archaeology collections at a museum, CRM firm, or in a related field.
Completion of an archaeological field school from an accredited institution or equivalent experience.
Responsible, reliable, organized, and willing to learn new skills.
Ability to work with a high degree of initiative, prioritize tasks, manage time effectively, and work well with minimum supervision.
Capable of taking direction from mentors, managers, and peers to execute tasks.
Ability to exercise sound judgment (aligned with organizational best practices) in internal and external communications.
Ability to clearly communicate standards and expectations to external partners, monitor adherence, and address issues promptly and professionally.
Work independently, with, and in support of a team of curators, NAGPRA staff, collections managers, and registrars to complete work; demonstrate potential to set priorities and appropriate boundaries in order to fully focus on projects with clarity and a feeling of accomplishment.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated knowledge of pre- and post-contact archaeology artifacts.
Demonstrated knowledge of best practices for handling and storing artifacts.
Demonstrated knowledge of appropriate record keeping for Archaeology collections, including field notes, correspondence, reports, etc.
Experience with collections management software such as CollectionSpace and basic knowledge of cataloging standards and vocabulary.
Basic knowledge of archaeological survey and monitoring protocols.
Basic knowledge of cultural resources management, Section 106, and NAGPRA law and regulations.
Working knowledge of pre-contact and historic archaeology in Ohio.
Basic skills with ArcGIS and ArcMap.
Proficiency in various office software suites and virtual platforms, particularly Microsoft Excel.

Responsibilities

Inventory, house, and monitor museum collections in accordance with museum standards and professional best practices for preservation.
Maintain accurate collection records and location data within the Collections Management System (CMS).
Ensure proper physical storage, environmental controls, and security for all museum objects and associated records to ensure long-term preservation and accessibility.
Assist in the development and implementation of collections management policies, procedures, and documentation for Archaeology collections.
Provide technical expertise and guidance to staff and partners preparing collections for curation.
Prepare required reports and documentation for the Collections Management Team (CMT) and regulatory compliance.
Coordinate and maintain professional relationships with the Ohio SHPO, state and federal agencies, and CRM firms.
Independently manage curation-related contract deliverables, including documentation and fees, in compliance with curation requirements.
Maintain physical and digital records in accordance with museum standards, organizational policies, and records retention schedules.
Coordinate and facilitate access to museum collections for staff, researchers, and authorized federal and partner representatives.