GIS Manager Littel River Band of Ottawa Indians

Tribal GIS; Michigan; Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

The LRBOI GIS Manager leads data management, advanced spatial analysis and projects that support planning, resource management and cultural preservation. You will securely manage and update the Band’s geospatial data in ArcGIS Pro and Enterprise Server, ensuring accuracy and integrity, and you will supervise GIS staff within the Department of Commerce.

Seven years of GIS experience, GIS certification or ability to sit the exam within 120 days, familiarity with Esri products, and strong

Qualifications

• Seven (7) or more years’ work experience in GIS, cartography or geospatial engineering is required, with demonstrated knowledge of GIS technology and database administration for the collection, storage, retrieval, manipulation and presentation of geospatial data for an organization.
• GIS Professional certification issued by an industry-recognized or accredited organization; or the ability to sit and pass the exam within 120 days of hire.
• Familiarity with Esri products, including ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Pro 3.0 or above.

Responsibilities

• Department administration including the development of program outputs, goals, and outcomes; budget development and implementation; and supervision of GIS staff.
• Develop and manage the Band’s Geographic Information System (GIS) in an SQL database environment, including the development and maintenance of comprehensive geodatabases, ensuring data accuracy, integrity, and security.
• Establish and enforce data, meta documentation, and data sharing standards, as well as system-wide data security protocols.
• Collect, organize, and maintain geospatial data relevant to LRBOI communities, land ownership, natural resources, culturally protected sites, infrastructure, and other spatial data according to internally developed policies and procedures.
• Assist with the creation and maintenance of maps, other products, and online dashboards for Band leadership, program departments, and community members.
• Perform analysis on spatial and tabular data in producing reports, maps, graphs, and charts as requested by the Band.
• Collaborate with internal departments and external agencies to support GIS-related needs and data requests.
• Participate in planning conversations, providing expertise to effectively communicate geospatial data and analysis that support tribal decision-making.
• Support the integration of geospatial data into Band processes by providing limited training on GIS principles and ArcGIS software to internal departments.
• Use and maintain GIS related office and field equipment.
• Maintain confidentiality in all aspects of work and comply with all applicable laws, regulations and procedures.
• All other position/department related duties as assigned by his/her/their supervisor.

Skills

GIS experience

Independent work

Esri products familiarity

Data management knowledge

Scripting basics

Tools

ArcGIS Online

ArcGIS Pro

Job description

JOB TITLE: GIS Manager

DEPARTMENT: Commerce

SUPERVISOR: Commerce Director

PAY LEVEL: E5

RANGE:

FUNDING SOURCE: Tribal Funded 100%

BACKGROUND CHECK: Extensive

STATUS: Exempt – Bi-Weekly Pay

PREPARED DATE: May 8, 2026

“Indian Preference is applicable in accordance with Ordinance #15-600-02”

SUMMARY

Filling a broad, multi-disciplinary, and leadership role for the Band that encompasses both analytical and technical tasks, the responsibilities of this position include data management, advanced spatial analysis, facilitating specialized projects that support planning and resource management, and supervising staff and GIS systems. The GIS Manager is directly responsible for securely managing, maintaining, and updating the Band’s geospatial data in ArcGIS Pro and Enterprise Server while ensuring accuracy and integrity. This position plays a critical role in supporting tribal decision-making processes, resource management, land use planning, and cultural preservation efforts. The GIS Manager must have a strong background in GIS technologies, staff management, cultural sensitivity, and an understanding of tribal communities. The GIS Manager is part of the Department of Commerce and reports to the Director of Commerce.

EMPLOYMENT QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications:

• A valid driver’s license with the ability to be insured by the Tribe’s insurance policy.
• The ability to work independently with minimum supervision.
• Seven (7) or more years’ work experience in GIS, cartography or geospatial engineering is required, with demonstrated knowledge of GIS technology and database administration for the collection, storage, retrieval, manipulation and presentation of geospatial data for an organization.
• GIS Professional certification issued by an industry-recognized or accredited organization; or the ability to sit and pass the exam within 120 days of hire.
• Familiarity with Esri products, including ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Pro 3.0 or above.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must also demonstrate sufficient knowledge to immediately perform the responsibilities of the position, including:

• Knowledgeable of program development and budget administration, as well double-entry accounting principles.
• Design a process for acquiring, processing, and integrating geospatial data from diverse sources for storage, retrieval, manipulation, and presentation.
• Data modeling, including geo-relational, TIN, and object-oriented models typical to GIS database development and user applications.
• Knowledge of scripting, programming, and/or database development, including the use of JavaScript, Python, and SQL typical to GIS and web-mapping applications.
• Security protocols for the restriction of sensitive location-based data and protection of that information from misuse.
• Implement a geospatial architecture that responds to user needs, including desktop, server, and mobile applications both inside the network and open to the public.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Department administration including the development of program outputs, goals, and outcomes; budget development and implementation; and supervision of GIS staff.
2. Develop and manage the Band’s Geographic Information System (GIS) in an SQL database environment, including the development and maintenance of comprehensive geodatabases, ensuring data accuracy, integrity, and security.
3. Establish and enforce data, meta documentation, and data sharing standards, as well as system-wide data security protocols.
4. Collect, organize, and maintain geospatial data relevant to LRBOI communities, land ownership, natural resources, culturally protected sites, infrastructure, and other spatial data according to internally developed policies and procedures.
5. Assist with the creation and maintenance of maps, other products, and online dashboards for Band leadership, program departments, and community members.
6. Perform analysis on spatial and tabular data in producing reports, maps, graphs, and charts as requested by the Band.
7. Collaborate with internal departments and external agencies to support GIS-related needs and data requests.
8. Participate in planning conversations, providing expertise to effectively communicate geospatial data and analysis that support tribal decision-making.
9. Support the integration of geospatial data into Band processes by providing limited training on GIS principles and ArcGIS software to internal departments.
10. Use and maintain GIS related office and field equipment.
11. Maintain confidentially in all aspects of work and comply with all applicable laws, regulations and procedures.
12. All other position/department related duties as assigned by his/her/their supervisor.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

During employment, the employee will consistently utilize and demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills, and strong organizational, presentation, interpersonal, and teamwork skills, a heightened attention to detail and accuracy, the ability to work independently and also cooperatively with other departments.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Limited

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This position requires sitting for long periods of time but may occasionally involve physically demanding outdoor labor throughout the day.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The employee’s work schedule may periodically need to be flexible and adjusted according to business needs. The employee must be able to effectively handle stressful situations while remaining focused and professional, as well as be able to deal with difficult people without losing perspective. Occasional local travel will be necessary to attend meetings and appointments. Regional and/or national travel will be necessary to attend conferences, training or other meetings that are critical to job performance.

DISCLAIMER AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job title. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

Conditions of employment with Little River Band of Ottawa Indians Tribal Government includes superior performance in the selection process, including but not limited to all of the following; any pre-employment interviews, skills testing, credentialing, drug screening, background investigations, reference checks and previous work history, passing a pre-employment drug test and background investigation, possession of a valid Driver’s License throughout employment and being insurable under the Tribe’s insurance policy, and successfully completing a ninety (90) day introductory period.