Cultural Preservation Director

Location

Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska - Winnebago

Type

Full Time

Responsive recruiter

Benefits:

Health insurance
Paid time off
Wellness resources

Closes: 6/10/2025

Cultural Preservation Director

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer

Salary (Grade): $58,000.00/yr

Status: Reg., FT (Exempt)

Location: Angel Decora Museum located on the Little Priest Tribal College campus in Winnebago, Nebraska

Job Purpose & Position Overview

The Cultural Preservation Director will be responsible for fulfilling and administering the duties and responsibilities of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska Tribal Historic Preservation Program including fiscal and managerial duties. This position serves as the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer (THPO) for the Winnebago Tribe and works closely with Tribal staff, Tribal members, consultants, and/or public officials (local, state and federal), as applicable, on activities related to the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). Initiatives under THPO will address the development of resources for the protection and management of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska’s archaeological, historical, cultural, and sacred resources – including but not limited to a comprehensive inventory of the reservation, ceded territory and other areas of interest, and in accordance with the Tribe’s Tribal Historic Preservation Plan. This positon will oversee and maintain the Angel DeCora Museum in preserving all documents and/or items of cultural importance and work to promote visibility and general support for the Cultural Preservation Program in the local, regional, and national community.

THPO Duties & Responsibilities:

Serve as the appointed Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO) Director for the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska and work closely with all the federal, state and local entities concerning Section 106 and pertaining to the homelands, ceded land, and other areas of interest of the Tribe.
Establishment and maintenance of archaeological records, restricting access and providing formal clearances for tribal projects.
Gather and distribute information about cultural resources, through public presentations, press releases, and/or letters to government.
Act as a liaison and representative for the Winnebago Tribe with the following agencies, including but not limited to, Bureau of Indian Affairs, State Historical Society offices of NE, IL, IA, MN, WI, and SD, NAGPRA, National Park Service, other Tribes, and all other applicable entities and jurisdictions.
Development and maintenance of relationships with the above listed appropriate agencies and organizations, as well as the THPO’s and/or other neighboring tribes, in respect to tribal historic preservation.
Performance of site surveys before development projects and before sale or transfer of Winnebago Tribe Tribal Land.
Provide recommendations to the Tribal Council regarding management of specific archaeological, cultural, sacred and/or historic sites.
Work closely with relevant program and department staff in all Historic Preservation activities.
Assume the responsibility of nomination of properties to the Tribal, National and State Registers of Historic Places and Historic Land marker designations.
Record and designate historic properties on tribal lands of historic/archaeological significance to the Winnebago Tribe.
Assist in the performance of archaeological surveys in the field.
Supervise other personnel and staff assigned or hired.
Coordination, management, and administration of the THPO Project. Shall implement and perform requirements as stated in the THPO grant agreement.
Shall complete and submit all required quarterly and annual grant reports to the funder, and the Tribal Grant & Contract Specialist prior to due dates. Will initiate all data reporting for THPO as required. Maintain project records and data as required by the grantor.

NAGPRA Duties & Responsibilities:

Provide and maintain techniques for documenting the cultural affiliations and/or treatment history of Native American remains and cultural items.
Respond appropriately and in a timely manner to repatriation requests and inadvertent discoveries, including communication with museum and Federal, State, and local agency officials regarding culturally affiliated human remains and cultural items.
Fulfill our commitment to re-intern our ancestors and their funerary items in a respectful and proper manner.
Maintain appropriate data entry, proofing and collating data according to directions of THPO plan and grants.
Coordination, management, and administration of the NAGPRA Project. Shall implement and perform requirements as stated in the NAGPRA grant agreement.
Shall complete and submit all required quarterly and annual grant reports to the funder, and the Tribal Grant & Contract Specialist prior to due dates. Will initiate all data reporting for NAGPRA as required. Maintain project records and data as required by the grantor.

Cultural Preservation Duties & Responsibilities:

Oversee and maintain all levels of operation of the Angel DeCora Museum including but not limited to its annual budget, financial and fundraising aspects, exhibition planning, programming and development.
Oversee the procurement and storage of museum's collection of art, artifacts and archives; and work with appropriate persons and entities in building and securing additional collections through negotiation and purchase.
Respond accordingly to outreach activities of the Tribal Council and other Tribal programs in bringing the Winnebago Tribe history and culture to a wider audience.

Required Qualifications/Skills:

AA Degree or higher in Historic Preservation, Anthropology, Native American Studies, Archeology, Museum Studies or related fields.
Minimum of five years full-time professional experience in a THPO position in which the
main functions include technical duties directly relating to Section 106 compliance.
Knowledge of the people of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, namely of their spiritual, traditional, historical, and ancestral ties.
Must be in good physical condition, possess a valid driver’s license, vehicle, insurable under the Tribe’s policy, and a good driving record and be willing to travel when required.
Outside work in the field will be required for inventorying, monitoring, and surveying.
Must be able to work with minimal supervision and demonstrate an ability to develop and implement daily work plans.
Employment is contingent upon the result of a satisfactory Security Background Check, pre-employment drug testing.
Preferred Winnebago Tribal Cultural Beliefs

Training Requirements:

Must enter into an educational plan to meet education requirement (if applicable).

Physical Requirements:

Moderate office work, which includes the ability to lift up to 25 lbs.
Regularly required to walk, stand, and sit for extended periods of time and use hands to operate computer keyboard, phone, and various office equipment.
While performing daily duties, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear.

Mental Requirements:

Reading, writing, calculating
Above average social interaction skills
Reasoning/Analysis
Works with minimal to no supervision

Language Requirements:

Must possess the ability to read, write, and speak the English language fluently.
Must be able to continually and effectively employ professional verbal and written communications skills.

Certificates, Licenses & Registrations:

All applicants will comply with 45 CFR 1301, Subpart D, Section 1301.31, C and D, which require all prospective employees to sign a declaration prior to employment regarding all arrests and convictions of child abuse or violent felonies and to comply with PL 101-630 and PL 101-637 regarding criminal records check.
A copy of Degrees earned must be provided by applicant.

HOW TO APPLY:

Submit an application at winnebagotribe.com, a resume, cover letter, and two (2) letters of recommendation are required. Applications submitted after the closing date or without proper documents will not be considered.
If claiming Native American or Veteran preference, please include pertinent documentation.
Call Human Resources at 402-878-2272 for further information.

As provided by Federal Law, all qualified Native American applicants shall receive preference over Non-Native American applicants. In the absence of qualified Native American applicants, consideration will be given to all other applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, disability or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits.

Compensation: $58,000.00 per year