SENIOR ADVISOR FOR NAGPRA

Location: Oakland

Job ID: 85839

UC OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

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DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

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POSITION SUMMARY

The University of California, Office of the President (UCOP) is committed to the timely repatriation of Native American human remains and cultural items in accordance with the federal Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), its accompanying regulations, and CalNAGPRA. Accordingly, UCOP is searching for a Senior Advisor for NAGPRA to lead and coordinate these efforts at the systemwide level for the next three years, ensuring the University meets internal and external deadlines while providing high-level strategic advice, policy guidance, and coordination on complex, systemwide issues involving repatriation and tribal engagement. The Senior Advisor will work closely with UCOP leaders and campus Chancellors, Chancellor's Designees for NAGPRA, as well as UC's systemwide and campus-based repatriation coordinators and tribal leaders who are essential to repatriation efforts. The position will report to the UCOP Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs and will also provide strategic guidance and advice to the President of the University of California and senior UC campus leadership. This position will be hybrid (two-three days/week in person) in Oakland, CA.

This is a three-year contract position.

Responsibilities

40% Executive Advising and Strategic Leadership:
30% Compliance and Accountability
30% Coordination, Engagement, and Outreach

Working closely with the systemwide repatriation coordinator and UCOP and campus leaders, oversees and ensures timely systemwide progress on repatriation efforts in alignment with tribal preferences and priorities. Partners directly with Native American tribes, UC senior administrators and faculty responsible for activities affecting Indigenous groups (e.g., repatriation, student programs, staff and faculty welfare), UCOP and campus leadership, federal, local and state government (including the California legislature and the Native American Heritage Commission), systemwide and campus advisory bodies, and other related influential groups or persons.

Serves as the University's most senior advisor on NAGPRA and CalNAGPRA compliance and related issues, offering expert counsel on strategy, operations, and issue management. Builds and maintains productive and strategic relationships and partnerships with UCOP, campus, and other organizational units. Provides briefings on key issues. Oversees websites that report on our progress and maintains constant contact with campus coordinators, particularly if progress slows or is interrupted, including oversight of UCOP funds directed to the campuses to support repatriation.

Serves as a systemwide liaison and resource for tribes and campuses where repatriation opportunities and challenges exist, engaging UC and tribal leaders to achieve UC's goal of repatriating ancestral remains and cultural or sacred objects expediently and in line with tribal preferences and priorities. Identifies and addresses barriers to institutional progress, including resource needs, staffing, and training.

Designs, develops, leads and implements highly complex and critical projects related to repatriation that require facilitation and collaboration across UC organizational functions, indigenous groups and other external parties. Engages in outreach and consultation to improve UC relations with California Native American tribes and indigenous groups, students, faculty, and staff.

Supports UC campuses in hiring, onboarding, and training new staff members to support repatriation-related work across a range of job functions and areas. Accompanies the Provost and President for appointments in Sacramento where briefings are required in connection with legislative oversight and forthcoming state audits of NAGPRA compliance.

Working closely with UCOP and campus leaders, coordinates and monitors campus progress towards several high priority internal and external targets and requirements related to NAGPRA/CalNAGPRA. Closely tracks quarterly campus reports and identifies issues and challenges for focused support. Monitors systemwide and campus budgets to ensure that UC is allocating resources effectively and strategically in support of systemwide goals and requirements.

Oversees UC responses to legislative inquiries, state and federal audits, and public accountability reviews regarding repatriation progress and practices. Coordinates all efforts related to NAGPRA/CalNAGPRA compliance, accountability, and reporting across UC campuses and collections.

Represents the University at NAGPRA- and CalNAGPRA-related meetings, hearings, or other engagements with federal and state legislators and state agency officials, coordinating closely with UC Governmental Relations staff.

To support repatriation efforts, establishes and maintains excellent working relationships with Indigenous groups and relevant government and community liaisons. Engages in consultation with Native American tribes and educates UC leadership, relevant UC units, and stakeholders on topics relevant to UC's and the state's relationship with indigenous populations, with a particular focus on NAGPRA and CalNAGPRA.

Coordinates with campus and OP leadership to strategically address repatriation challenges and ensure repatriation remains as a high-level priority for the University.

Work closely with UC systemwide and campus organizations and divisions, including the UC Natural Reserve System, UC's statewide Agriculture and Natural Resources division, UC Berkeley Forests, and others to explore UC-controlled land that may potentially be used for reburial of Native American ancestral remains.

Advances conversations with tribal leaders and UC campus partners around designing and launching new UC educational offerings to train experts in repatriation and related area.

Participates in meetings with UC Campus Repatriation Coordinators and other UCOP/campus staff, proactively proposing solutions to existing and emerging issues.

Helps to coordinate and support meetings of the Systemwide NAGPRA Implementation and Oversight Committee, the President's Native American Advisory Council, and other essential advisory bodies, providing updates on UC's repatriation efforts and ensuring that the University is responsive to members' perspectives and feedback.

Required Qualifications

Minimum 10 years of relevant work experience.
Knowledge of the principles of federal and state repatriation laws and regulations (NAGPRA and CalNAGPRA).
Significant experience advising executives, boards, or governing bodies on complex compliance, cultural, or policy issues.
In depth understanding and appreciation of indigenous issues, culture, history, and perspectives, especially as it relates to University activities. Knowledge of relevant North American history and pre-history.
Experience working with Indigenous communities, preferably in California Native American Communities.
Advanced skills in short- and long-range planning, program and project management, facilitation and collaboration, especially as they relate to Indigenous groups.
Sound strategic thinking and consulting skills in guiding the organization toward workable strategies and solutions. Advanced ability to coach, facilitate and influence organizational change.
Advanced ability to build and maintain relationships with a broad range of staff and members of the community. Expert knowledge of the principles and concepts of building and maintaining effective relationships with external constituencies to achieve institutional goals and objectives, including ability to communicate across cultural lines to include interpretation of research and policy between the university and Indigenous groups.
Expert level written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including attentive listening skills and skill to ascertain constituency perception and to produce information that is appropriately presented and effectively received by target constituencies.
Proven ability to focus on priorities, strategies, and vision.

Education

Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
Advanced degree preferred.
Occasional travel within CA may be required to meet with Native Nations and Indigenous people, UCOP and campus stakeholder, federal, local and state government. Minimal travel expected outside of CA.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Job Title

Executive Advisor 5

Job Code

000555

Salary Grade

Grade 29

Payscale:

$240,000 - $266,000

The University of California, Office of the President, is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The full salary range shows the growth potential for this position and the pay scale is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position.

Benefits: For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit: Benefits of Belonging

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This position will be hybrid (two-three days/week in person) in Oakland, CA.

This is a three-year contract position.

HOW TO APPLY

Please be prepared to attach a cover letter and resume with your application.

APPLICATION REVIEW DATE

The first review date for this job is June 2, 2026. The position will be open until filled.

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