The University of Denver Department of Anthropology within the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences offers undergraduate and graduate programs (MA) in archaeology, cultural anthropology, and museum and heritage studies that draw on a spectrum of research practices. The department focuses on public anthropology, applying the discipline’s concepts, methods, and insights to addressing problems and issues of contemporary relevance.

The Anthropology Department manages the University of Denver Museum of Anthropology (DUMA) which is dedicated to increasing knowledge and understanding of world cultures and human diversity. The Museum emphasizes the ethical stewardship of collections, research, teaching, educational programming, and responsible community engagement. The Museum acknowledges that colonial legacies are embedded in anthropological collections. It strives to address historical wrongs by building collaborative, reciprocal relationships and respecting the rights and cultural protocol of communities represented in the collection.

Position Summary

The Curator of Collections manages the University of Denver Museum of Anthropology (DUMA) collections of ethnographic, archaeological, and archival materials, and is responsible for their day-to-day care, management and use. The Curator collaborates with faculty, staff, and students from the Department of Anthropology and other departments to facilitate use of collections and gallery for teaching and other projects. DUMA is a teaching and research museum that is integral to the Department’s Museum and Heritage Studies Graduate Program. The Curator is, therefore, responsible for helping train students and facilitate research, as well as teach a course bi-annually on collection care and management.

Essential Functions

Collection Management

• Day-to-day management and care of collections held in trust as the property of the University of Denver, including registration, documentation, preventive conservation and environmental monitoring, security, access and use to the standards of care stipulated in professional ethical codes and the University of Denver Museum of Anthropology Collections Management Policy (2025)
• Develop, implement and update policies consistent with the mission of the museum
• Maintain, update, and ensure accuracy of museum records and collection database
• Respond to research inquiries and facilitate researcher visits
• Work with NAGPRA Manager and Registrar to ensure compliance with laws and regulations and participate in consultations with tribal representatives
• Work with Federal agencies on the care and management of Federal Repository collections, and oversee federal, state, and municipal repository agreements that legally manage the collection and ensure that they are maintained according to professional standards
• Develop and monitor annual budget for collection related activities
• Pursue outside funding to supplement museum operations; draft annual report
• Perform other museum related duties as needed

Curriculum and Instruction

• Participate in DUMA exhibit committee meetings, and work with students on exhibition design and installation.
• Train and supervise students, interns, volunteers and others in basic museum practices, exhibit installation, and collections-based research
• Teach a course on collections care and management on a bi-annual basis
• Support the use of collections for teaching and learning across the curriculum
• Collaboratively supervise gallery activities and public programming with Director of Museum and other faculty

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of museum collections management systems and museum cataloguing procedures and descriptive standards
• Familiarity with legal and ethical issues that affect museum collections and collections databases
• Strong analytical writing and research skills with attention to detail and accuracy and the ability to synthesize multiple lines of information
• Ability to work independently as well as within a team environment
• Ability to manage multiple project timetables
• An understanding of historic and contemporary approaches to museum collections and indigeneity and anthropological research practices and methodologies
• Competency in building and effectively managing interpersonal relationships with a wide array of internal and external stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Anthropology, Museum Collections, or closely related field.
• Two to three years experience working with Past Perfect or other collections management database
• Experience teaching and working with students
• Experience with exhibition installation
• Experience with grant writing, fund raising, and budget management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five or more years of experience with management and curation of archaeological and ethnographic collections.

Working Environment

1. Standard office environment.
2. Unexpected interruptions occur often, and stress level is moderate to high.
3. Noise level is quiet to moderate.

Physical Activities

1. Ability to sit in front of a computer for an extended period of time.
2. Ability to sit or stand in front of a room for an extended period of time.
3. Occasionally required to move about the office/campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 20 lbs.

Work Schedule
The University's administrative offices are open Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. Occasional evening and weekend work required for events, travel, and conferencing.

Application Deadline
For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) Friday, March 14, 2025.

Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number:
The salary grade for the position is 10.

Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $62,000-$65,000.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

Benefits:
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:

1. CV
2. A cover letter, normally two pages, that speaks to the position (position summary, functions, qualifications) and your qualifications
3. A one-page statement describing how the candidate intends to contribute to DU’s values, practices, and actions regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion. Candidates can view DU’s DEI Strategic Plan here (https://www.du.edu/equity/dei-action-plan) and/or the College of Arts and Humanities and Social Sciences (CAHSS) DEI Strategic plan here (https://liberalarts.du.edu/news-events/all-articles/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-strategic-plan-cahss).

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.