Curatorial Assistant

Job Summary

Position involves administrative support for the senior staff of La Sierra University’s Lawrence T. Geraty and Douglas R. Clark Center for Near Eastern Archaeology (CNEA) and assisting with research and artifact curation at CNEA. Staff support responsibilities include supervision of Center volunteers, administrative tasks given by the Director and Associate Directors, and general assistance running the Center. The research component is connected to current research projects underway, tied mostly to archaeological excavations sponsored by the Center.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Pursue, under the supervision of Center staff, several research projects currently under way in the Center such as mending ancient pottery, assisting research collaborations in major projects involving the La Sierra collections, keeping Center Labs organized and prepared for research.
• Make arrangements for meeting engagements, along with maintaining accurate meeting records
• Be available during normal office hours and adjust email and voicemail responses when absent.
• Screen all telephone calls, making proper referrals, scheduling appointments and answering questions regarding departmental policy, practice or procedure.
• Sort incoming mail.
• Set up and maintain office files.
• Direct student employees and office personnel in the organization of the department, its policies, practices and procedures.
• Perform other administrative duties such as recommending departmental office procedures, coordination of departmental activities and events, and work with other campus entities, especially administrative.
• Assist CNEA teaching and administrative faculty with academic and administrative needs.
• Study correspondence and departmental paperwork received and sent out. Check and compare with previous reports or other data and bring to the attention of the Director significant items, errors, or omissions.
• Maintain up-to-date management manuals, directives, and related materials and keep chair informed of changes.

Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience:
Master’s degree (MA) in archaeology/anthropology preferred from four-year college or university; or one to two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Language Ability:
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Math Ability:
Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Reasoning Ability:
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Computer Skills:
Expertise in Microsoft Office suite of programs and database software and Adobe PhotoShop

Supervisory Responsibilities:
Supervision of Center volunteers.  

Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

Additional Demands:
Must be a self-starter, with the ability to see tasks that need to be done and take the initiative to complete them. Ability to understand the importance of and uphold confidentiality regarding student records. Must have strong attention to detail and follow-through skills.