Program Administrator - Native American Law and Sovereignty Institute

Purpose:

Mitchell Hamline School of Law is a leader in pedagogical innovation dedicated to expanding access to high-quality legal education and seeks a full-time Program Administrator to work with our Native American Law and Sovereignty Institute.

The Program Administrator supports the activities and initiatives of the Native American Law and Sovereignty Institute (NALS Institute), which are designed to provide positive experiences for Native American students during their academic journey at Mitchell Hamline School of Law. The NALS Institute offers a certificate for all law students across all JD options. The Program Administrator works closely and collaboratively with the Director of the NALS Institute.

Our law school is in an historic area of Saint Paul, on the Indigenous homelands of the Dakota Oyate, home to the Penumbra and Fitzgerald theaters, ethnic restaurants, and one of the finest chamber orchestras in the world. Just across the river, Minneapolis is the home to the Minneapolis American Indian Center, the Walker Art Center, First Avenue, the Guthrie Theater, the Minneapolis Institute of Art, and one of the nation's liveliest performing arts scenes. The city was the birthplace of the American Indian Movement and continues to boast one of the largest urban Native populations in the country. Eleven federally recognized Tribes, including four Dakota and seven Ojibwe Tribes, remain within the State of Minnesota.

Essential Duties:

The successful candidate will be responsible for and have duties in the following areas:

• Provide support for all operational aspects of the NALS Institute and to the Director of the Institute
• Coordinate events and conferences for the NALS Institute including registration, venue, food, drum group, prayer, and guest speaker travel arrangements.
• Assist in recruiting Native American students to the NALS Institute specifically, and law school more generally (i.e., pathway programs), including but not limited to coordinating open houses, participating in college and law school fairs, and responding to applicant inquiries.
• Lead and supervise production of a monthly media presence for NALS Institute alumni, including creative planning, compiling, and editing content on social media platforms and other informational methods, and engage in other efforts designed to connect alumni to the NALS Institute and current students.
• Develop the components necessary to design graphic art and create and produce media content for digital and print publications, including recruiting materials.
• Monitor and update promotional and digital communication material via program's website and social media platforms to enhance marketing and recruitment efforts.
• Assist NALS Institute Director with various projects.
• Provide Canvas support and recordkeeping to track NALS Institute courses in collaboration with the Director and other Institute affiliated faculty and adjunct faculty, etc.
• Assist with research and maintenance of databases for the NALS Institute
• Prepare/generate correspondence, manuscripts, routine letters and memos.
• Assist in monitoring the NALS Institute budget and paying bills.
• Interact and serve as liaison with the Native American Law Student Association (NALSA), all law students, faculty, staff and outside community agencies.
• Open and review incoming mail and respond to routine inquiries.
• Assist in fundraising efforts for the NALS Institute
• Prepare special/recurring reports containing sensitive information.
• Provide support as part of a team of administrative support for a limited number of faculty members.
• Other duties as assigned that support the goals of the NALS Institute and the Mitchell Hamline School of Law.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in field appropriate to area of assignment, but we will consider a combination of education and experience (e.g., two-year degree from a Tribal College plus relevant work experience).
• Knowledge of and familiarity with Tribal Nations and Native American culture. Citizens of federally recognized Tribes are especially encouraged to apply.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, and the ability to collaborate in a collegial manner with faculty, alumni, staff, students, and applicants.
• Ability to conduct basic research using on-line and print sources.
• Some knowledge of the law, including Native governance and judicial systems is a plus.
• Experience in using Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, One Drive, Canvas course pages) and internet research
• Experience in:
  • working for/with multi-reporting structure (in an education environment a plus)
  • multitasking in a fast-paced team environment
  • working with confidential information or files
  • work that requires organization and attention to detail
• Members of under-represented groups are encouraged to apply.

To apply, please submit: 1) a letter stating your interest in the position and 2) a current resume. Review of complete applications will begin on May 27, 2024 and will continue until the position is filled.