Collections Assistant

This position may be considered for partial remote work, subject to the terms of a telecommuting agreement. While telecommuting/remote working, the employee is responsible for ensuring a worksite environment suitable for accomplishing their regular job duties during scheduled hours of work and, if applicable, arranging for dependent care just as they would if they were working in person at a UCSC worksite.

HOW TO APPLY

For full consideration, applicants should attach their resume and cover letter when applying for a job opening. For guidance related to the application process or if you are experiencing difficulties when applying, please review the Applicant Resources on our website.

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 09-25-2025

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

Under the leadership of the Vice Chancellor for Research, the Office of Research has primary responsibility for research policy, planning, and administration of the UC Santa Cruz Research enterprise. The Office of Research (OR) supports the research community through five units: the Office of Sponsored Projects, Research Development, the Office of Research Compliance Administration, the Innovation & Business Engagement Hub, and Office of Research Business & Operations.

This unit supports campus research by ensuring compliance with federal and state requirements, including the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), CalNAGPRA, and UC NAGPRA Policy and developing tribal relations for collaborations with UC Santa Cruz partners.

JOB SUMMARY

Under the supervision of the Repatriation and Tribal Collaborations Coordinator, the Collections Assistant provides cataloging support for collections subject to the purview of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), CalNAGPRA, and University of California NAGPRA Policy. This includes scanning of documents, database entry and maintenance, review and understanding of documentation, and detail-oriented organization and document management. The Collections Assistant will assist in addressing UC Office of the President audit requirements, including supporting the Coordinator with campus facilities reviews. As needed, the Collections Assistant will assist with logistical aspects of maintaining the physical collections space, ensuring that UC Santa Cruz NAGPRA- and CalNAGPRA-eligible collections comply with UC Policy and federal curation standards.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $26.29 - $27.38/hour. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: 1 year from hire date, with possibility of extension

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: RX Union

Job Code Classification: 009724 (MUSEUM SCI AST)

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

80% - Collections digitization and organization

• Under supervisor's review and direction, identify, classify, organize, and catalog collection materials, including scanning and database entry.
• Assist in the maintenance of proper documentation of correspondence, consultations, loans, transfers, federal and state notices, inventories, summaries, and determinations regarding cultural affiliation, repatriation, or disposition.
• Assist in activities related to UC Office of President audit requirements.

20% - Facilities support

• Preparation and maintenance of storage areas and containers, as needed.
• Assist in review of campus facilities for NAGPRA-related items.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in a related area, and/or equivalent experience and/or training.
• Experience or training in a collection database or content management system.
• Experience or training in archival practices, including organizing paper and digital records.
• Knowledge of handling, curating, and/or managing archeological or cultural collections, including digital records of collections.
• Working knowledge of common computer application programs such as Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and Adobe Acrobat.
• Digitization skills, including scanning, file management, digital preservation, and ethical archival practices.
• Effective written communication skills.
• Solid organizational skills, ability to multi-task, and ability to meet operational deadlines.
• Ability to review, analyze, and organize documents, reports, and summaries.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information that requires discretion and confidentiality.
• Interest in working with Indigenous communities, including a strong respect for tribal sovereignty, cultural protocols, and traditional knowledge.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge and/or familiarity with Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and CalNAGPRA regulations.
• Familiarity with California archaeology, tribes, and history.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• The selected candidate will be required to work primarily on campus, with periods of remote work possible based on operational needs. If a hybrid work schedule is confirmed, the selected candidate must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and be able to fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
- UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
- Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.