Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Capital Improvement Process

This is a 50% time Temp and Casual appointment for Summer Term, starting as soon as possible through 08/24/25. Salary: $27.00/ hour

The individual will support Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe's (LLBO) GIS Infrastructure & Capital Improvement Planning initiative through a comprehensive geospatial mapping project spanning June-August 2025. This foundational work involves creating a baseline map of LLBO infrastructure, cleaning and verifying spatial data across the 620,000-acre reservation, and developing interactive maps and dashboards to visualize facility conditions and service access. The individual will identify infrastructure gaps by integrating data on roads, utilities, broadband, water, and septic systems to support data-driven decision making. Key deliverables include categorized spatial datasets, ArcGIS Online dashboards, maps, and potentially StoryMap templates. This position supports LLBO's long-term vision for data sovereignty, climate resilience, and equitable infrastructure planning-all grounded in traditional Ojibwe values and stewardship principles.

About the job tasks:

50% Data Management and Dashboard Development

• Create and organize ArcGIS infrastructure datasets for LLBO facility sites
• Design and implement interactive dashboards to visualize facility conditions and service access
• Establish metadata frameworks and attribute schemas for consistent data management
• Potentially develop StoryMap templates to communicate infrastructure needs and context
• Potentially support the development of Survey123 tools for participatory mapping and field validation

30% Infrastructure Assessment and Gap Analysis

• Identify areas underserved by existing LLBO facilities across the 620,000-acre reservation
• Analyze service coverage by category (e.g., healthcare, elder services, community centers)
• Integrate data on critical infrastructure, including roads, utilities, broadband, and septic systems

20% Community Engagement and Project Management

• Attend weekly project meetings with LLBO, U-Spatial, and CURA staff
• Support the distribution of findings to community members through various outreach methods
• Participate in community events to build relationships and gather data
• Document project progress and maintain organized research files

Required Qualifications

• Masters Degree
• Experience in geospatial data analysis
• Demonstrated ability to engage respectfully with diverse communities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a community-based team
• Strong background in GIS including ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, and Dashboards

Preferred Qualifications

• Arcade scripting abilities
• Experience conducting network or proximity analyses
• Experience in data management, database creation, and data collection
• Demonstrated experience in website or dashboard design using numerical data, graphs and charts
• Experience with quantitative data analysis and visualization
• Background in planning or community development
• Experience with multimedia storytelling or creating visual presentations of research findings, StoryMaps
• Experience working or partnering with Tribal Governments or organizations

About the Department

The mission of the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs is to align University of Minnesota resources to catalyze community-driven change. We collaborate with the community and local government to advance smart and equitable decision-making, investments, and policies to benefit all of Minnesota's diverse communities. Faculty and students at the University of Minnesota are involved in CURA programs in a variety of ways. CURA's work ranges from community-engaged research to leadership development. Our varied programs seek to develop deep partnerships with community collaborators and acknowledge the expertise and contributions of our partners in all of the work we do.

Project Partner

The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe (LLBO) is a federally recognized Tribal Nation in north-central Minnesota, with rural and urban communities. The reservation is intersected by oil pipelines, transmission lines, and rail corridors, and includes the St. Regis Superfund site, presenting both infrastructure and environmental challenges.
LLBO is actively advancing sustainable, long-term planning through energy efficiency projects, solar deployment, habitat restoration, and broadband expansion. This GIS-based initiative supports LLBO's Capital Improvement Planning (CIP) efforts by building the tools needed to assess infrastructure needs, promote project transparency, and guide data-driven investment in community resilience and environmental stewardship.

Pay Range: $27.00 per hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience.

Retirement plan options are available for Civil Service, Faculty, Labor-Represented, Professional & Administrative, and Temp Casual classifications. Learn more about retirement plans.

A COMPLETE application must be submitted online via the University of Minnesota system.

Please Submit:

• A complete resume.
• A Cover letter explaining your interest in the position and how your career goals, training, and experiences support your candidacy.
• Names and contact information of three references.

Applications will be accepted through midnight 6/24/25.

If you receive a message from the online employment system that the position is no longer available prior to the application deadline, close out of your browser and try again or try a different browser. If you continue to experience problems, contact CJ Madsen madse002@umn.edu

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).