Collections Specialist

Job Posting - State of New Mexico

Collections Specialist (DCA #69496)

Agency

Department of Cultural Affairs

Posting End Date

10/17/2026

Job Posting Type

Continuous Job Opening

Location

Santa Fe

Full/Part Time

Full-Time

Regular/Temporary

Sponsored Term

Salary

$24.88 - $37.32 Hourly

$51,755 - $77,633 Annually

This position is a Pay Band C6

To Apply: careers.share.nm.gov

Search by Job ID: 167643

Posting Details

THIS POSTING WILL BE USED FOR ONGOING RECRUITMENT AND MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME. APPLICANT LISTS MAY BE SCREENED MORE THAN ONCE.

Created in 1978 by the New Mexico Legislature, the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) represents New Mexico's dedication to preserving and celebrating the cultural integrity and diversity of our state. The Department oversees a broad range of New Mexico's arts and cultural heritage agencies. These include 15 divisions representing a variety of programs and services. The Center for New Mexico Archaeology (CNMA) is a central facility for archaeological research, curation, and education in the state of New Mexico and is part of the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture (MIAC), a division of DCA. CNMA has created a safe and secure curation environment for New Mexico's unique and irreplaceable archaeological heritage, including nearly 10 million artifacts from all time periods and cultures. The Archaeological Research Collection (ARC) is actively used for research and education. Growth (300-600 cubic feet per year) matches the pace of economic development in the state. Almost 50 percent of the collections are from federal or Tribal lands, and the collections are managed by ARC on behalf of the client agencies.

Why does the job exist?

This position provides essential curatorial services supplied to the US Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to support increased preservation and access to Museum archaeological resources. The Collections Specialist ensures that BIA collections are housed appropriately, photographed, documented, and cared for and facilitates research on these collections. This includes housing, repackaging, and monitoring BIA collections as well as producing regular reports and inventories of the collection. The Collections Specialist serves as a point of contact for Tribal communities and scholars who wish to access and view collections. The position is also responsible for duties related to updating the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) object inventory that is required to bring the Museum into compliance with Federal NAGPRA reporting regulations. Tribal consultation to ensure NAGPRA compliance and best practices is a key part of this role.

How does it get done?

This position supports CNMA NAGPRA-related processes, compliance, and best practices to ensure culturally sensitive and NAGPRA-related materials and individuals are cared for appropriately and in alignment with community needs and requests. The position also:

-- Creates and updates NAGPRA inventories for BIA and other collections

-- Locates and associates funerary belongings that fall under NAGPRA

-- Conducts Tribal consultation and community collaboration

-- Maintains detailed records relevant to project and contract completion

-- Reads and interprets archaeological field notes, documents, maps, and other archival materials for use in inventories, repatriations, consultations, and research requests

Who are the customers?

Internal customers include CNMA/MIAC/LOA/BIA curators, educators, volunteers, and other staff. The Collections Specialist supports staff, Tribal members, researchers, BIA representatives, and volunteers with researching, assessing, and caring for BIA objects held by CNMA. External customers include Tribal community members, researchers, donors, and others who seek access to collections. Some external customers may visit in person, both in collections tours and research visits, as well as via collections based public programming. Other external customers are served via email, the website, and will be served through the online collections database.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate has a Bachelors or Masters Degree in anthropology, or archaeology and experience working with Indigenous, art, or archaeological collections and related field and collections documents in a museum setting. This candidate has experience implementing best practices and professional standards for museum collections care, including integrated pest management, storage, photography, access restrictions and facilitation. This candidate has proficiency in database management, preference for Re: Discovery and ICMS experience; and a strong background and demonstrated successful experience in Tribal consultation and NAGPRA compliance and best practices.

Minimum Qualification

Associate's Degree in Art History or other areas of specialization such as Museum Studies, Museology, Conservation Science, Anthropology, or History; and one (1) year supervised experience working with museum artifacts/collections. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling three (3) years may substitute for the required education and experience.

Employment Requirements

Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification as a condition of continued employment. Must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico Driver's License.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and telephone usage with extended periods of sitting. Some travel within the state may be required. Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs. Some lifting, bending, and carrying is required.

Supplemental Information

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Agency Contact Information: danyelle.means@dca.nm.gov (505) 476-1251 or Email: danyelle.means@dca.nm.gov Email

Please visit us at: www.IndianArtsandCulture.org

For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.

Bargaining Unit Position

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement and all terms/conditions of that agreement apply and must be adhered to.