Description:
The Archaeology Curator is responsible for the day-to-day collection management activities associated with Orange County's archaeological collections. The archaeology collection includes artifacts and cultural materials dating from at least 7800 years ago up to the historic period 50 years ago. It includes metates, manos, mortars, pestles, shell beads, fish hooks, hammer stones, projectile points, scrapers, incised stone and pottery shards, as well as zooarchaeological specimens such as shell midden. These mark the sites of ancient villages, fishing areas, and milling activities associated with acorn and hard seed processing, in addition to stone tool manufacture.
The Archaeology Curator duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
Collections Management
- Manage the archaeology collection per the direction of the Archaeology/Paleontology Manager
- Implement best practices for preparation, curation, storage and handling of archaeology collections
- Ensure proper accessioning, loaning and deaccessioning of all artifacts
- Oversee the collections database
- Request equipment and materials needed for proper collections methods
- Recommend and implement changes to Collections Management plans
- Identify material culture from Southern California
- Ensure compliance with all aspects of NAGPRA, CalNAGPRA and all other Federal and State legislative requirements
Stakeholder Collaboration
- Identify stakeholders to promote and engage the collection
- Develop and maintain partnerships with Tribes and Indigenous communities
- Facilitate Tribal access to collections, and in consultation with Tribes, coordinate repatriation of ancestral and cultural remains and materials
- Build professional relationships with educational and university partners
- Recruit, train, and supervise volunteers and interns
- Deliver public programs to schools, civic organizations, and government agencies
- Facilitate research investigation requests from students, faculty, and partner organizations
- Advise OC Parks staff and volunteers on archaeological sites, resources, and collections throughout OC Parks facilities
- Identify sites and resources in OC Parks through pedestrian survey
- Service as Cultural READ for OC Parks fire management program
Contract Management
- Oversee County contracts with service providers
- Communicate deficiencies from service providers with procurement staff
- Assist facility manager in obtaining contracted services and/or materials
- Identify and request needed contracted services and assist with procurement process
- Plan and implement new contracted services
Program Development
- Work collaboratively to develop exhibits for interpretive centers and partner institutions
- Create educational materials and activities to share with both educators and the public
- Create and implement special events to promote archaeology collections
- Develop community science programs and lecture series
- Create programs designed for various audiences using multiple types of media
Administration and Supervision
- Write routine reports summarizing archaeology collection activities for the Archaeology/Paleontology Manager
- Assist with drafting and/or editing of policies and procedures
- Submit requests for annual budget
- Assist in preparation of grant and other funding proposals
- Supervise Archaeology Specialist and assign tasks
- Write employee reviews and provide regular feedback
- Document employee performance and work with HR when required
- Assist and participate in interview panels and hiring process
- Emphasize and instill open and collaborative communication within the operations group and the agency
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES
The ideal candidate will possess a Master's degree or higher in Anthropology, Archaeology, History, Museum Studies or other related field.
In addition, the ideal candidate will have (5) five or more years of professional curation work experience in the field of archaeology, anthropology, resource management, public history, historical or cultural education, historic preservation and restoration, or interpretive program development in a related field.
Possessing a professional designation as a Registered Professional Archaeologist is highly desirable.