Thank you for your patience with Friday Job Announcements as the ILPC undergoes staff changes! Below, find announcements from Tribes (3/18/22-current).
To post an open Indian law or leadership job to Turtle Talk, send all of the following information to indigenous@law.msu.edu:
In the email body:
- A typed brief description of the position which includes:
- Position title
- Location (city, state)
- Main duties
- Closing date
- Any other pertinent details such as links to the application
- An attached PDF job announcement.
Job Announcements from Tribes
Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians
Tribal Prosecutor. Remote or hybrid (Petoskey, MI). Responsible for independently prosecuting criminal, juvenile, and other cases in tribal court and handling Indian child welfare cases in state court. Provides advice and prepares formal legal documents on a wide range of problems dealing with complaints and citations filed in Tribal Court. Responsibilities range from interviewing conservation enforcement officers, law enforcement officers, and individuals; to gathering and analyzing evidence in cases; to preparing and presenting evidence in Court. Open until filled. Please see the description for more information. Please contact the Tribal Chairperson’s Office at (231) 242-1418 or tribalchair@ltbbodawa-nsn.gov with any questions.
Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi
(Staff Attorney – Full Time Exempt. NHBP Tribal Government Center, Fulton, MI. Attend meetings of the Tribal Council, Committees, regulatory board/commissions and Membership meetings as requested. Researches and drafts resolutions, Tribal laws, regulations, and policies for Tribal Council approval. Provide timely legal advice/counsel to, and draft legal opinions for, the Tribal Council and other subdivisions and instrumentalities of the Tribal government on a broad range of legal issues. For a full description see the job description and apply here. Application closes 05/05/2022 at 9:30 AM ET.
Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe
Prosecutor. Mt Pleasant, MI. Under the supervision of Tribal Council, work closely with tribal law enforcement and judicial officials to effectively administer justice on the Isabella Indian Reservation on behalf of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan. Prosecute crimes under the jurisdiction of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe within the exterior boundaries of the Isabella Reservation. Act as Tribal Presenter in Child Abuse and Neglect cases. All staff in Prosecutor’s office must adhere to mandated reporting laws. Please apply at www.sagchip.org click on employment at the top then click apply now.
Chief Judge. Mt. Pleasant, MI. This position will be open until filled. Oversees the administration of the Tribal Court, the control and management of the court budget and the supervision and oversight of all court personnel. Improve staff effectiveness by coaching, counseling, training and recommending disciplinary action for employees; planning, delegating, monitoring, appraising job tasks and results in a timely manner, and approving time sheets. For a full description, please see the job description and apply here.
The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Legal Department
Associate Tribal Attorney. Cass Lake, Minnesota office. The Associate Tribal Attorney assists the Legal Director with analysis of ongoing cases and legal issues in a broad range of subject areas central to the needs of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. The tribal attorney is responsible for preparing and analyzing contracts, legal documents, Tribal Codes, ordinances and Resolutions. The attorney will represent the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe in tribal, State and Federal Court. The position is open until filled and the application materials can be found on the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe website at https://www.llojibwe.org/jobs/llbojobs.html.
Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
Deputy Solicitor General. Onamia, MN. The Deputy Solicitor General performs legal work involving interpreting laws and regulations; preparing legal opinions, briefs, and other legal documents; rendering legal advice and counsel; consulting with trial attorneys; assisting in preparing cases for trial; drafting bills for legislative consideration, and assisting the Solicitor General in managing the affairs and duties of the function of Solicitor General. Closing Date: Until Filled. For more information see the description and apply here.
Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Legal Department
Associate Judge. Agency, SD. The Associate Judge is responsible for fairly and impartially hearing and deciding judicial cases and matters at the Tribal Court level within the jurisdiction of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate pursuant to tribal laws, codes, rules, and regulations. Extensive background in Indian law as it applies to Indian country. Closing Date: April 22, 2022. For more information and to apply, contact terrahaug@swo-nsn.gov.
Oglala Sioux Tribe
Marijuana Commission (2 positions: Commissioner and Alternate). The Commission is the regulatory entity responsible for carrying out the licensing and managing the possession, cultivation, transportation, laboratory testing and use of marijuana and marijuana products withing the territory of the Tribe pursuant to OST Ordinance No. 20-66, as amended. Duties include Seeking out and obtaining the latest training on marijuana laws and scientific and commercial developments involving marijuana cultivation and use, as well as the latest information on the accepted scientific methods utilized to test marijuana and marijuana-related items, and more. See the description for more information and to apply.
Lower Elwha Tribal Court
Chief Judge. Port Angeles, WA. The Chief Judge is chief judicial officer of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribal Court, the trial court of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. The Chief Judge is appointed to a four-year term by the Lower Elwha Business Committee, the elected governing body of the Tribe. This position is responsible for fairly and impartially hearing and deciding judicial matters within the jurisdiction of the Lower Elwha Tribal Court pursuant to the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribal Judicial Code, ordinances, regulations, and applicable Federal and local laws. The Chief Judge conducts hearings and trials and performs other judicial duties. The Chief Judge is also the administrative supervisor of all Tribal Court staff and as such is responsible for the efficient and effective operation of all aspects of the Lower Elwha Tribe’s trial-court-level judicial system and for proper administration of justice. The Chief Judge has no direct authority over the Lower Elwha Court of Appeals, which consists of Justices appointed by the Business Committee under contract. To apply: Send resume, cover letter, legal writing sample (preferably a judicial writing sample), and three references via email to Sandra Johnson, Human Resources Director: sandra.johnson@elwha.org. Please also fill out an employment application.
Omaha Tribe of Nebraska
Attorney General. Omaha Tribal Court Macy, Nebraska Omaha Tribe of Nebraska. The position of Attorney General shall be responsible for protecting all Tribal assets, defending the integrity of the Tribe, assisting and advising all Tribal entities in their pursuit of progress on behalf of Tribal members, and managing and providing legal services and representation to the Tribe, the Tribal Council, the Tribal Government, and its Tribal Entities. The Attorney General is prohibited from offering legal advice or representing private individual members, but instead serves to protect the rights of all members of the Omaha Tribe administering fair and impartial justice. Open Until Filled.
Tribal Prosecutor. Omaha Tribal Court – Macy, Nebraska Omaha Tribe of Nebraska. Shall prosecute all criminal matters in the name of the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska, making independent decisions on whether to file formal charges, the nature of those charges, whether to recommend plea bargains and trying both jury and non-jury cases. Performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor. Open until filled.
Tohono O’odham Legislative Branch
Assistant Legislative Attorney (Level II – IV). Under the direction of the Legislative Attorney, provides legal advice and representation to the Legislative council and standing committees on a wide range of issues affecting the Tohono O’odham Nation; works with tribal, federal and state officials as well as national- and state-level tribal advocacy groups, other tribes, private individuals and entities; maintains confidentiality of all privileged information. For more information, please read the description.
Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs
Chief Judge. Warm Springs, OR. Protect all individual rights as guaranteed by the Constitution, By-laws, and the Law and Order Code of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and the United States of America. Interact with Tribal Council, other judges and Tribal employees, prisoners, and the public. Work closely with police department, prosecutor’s office, parole & probation, Human Services, county, state and federal agencies. Closing date – 04/15/2022. For more information, please see the description.
Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians
Government Affairs Coordinator. Palm Springs, CA. The Government Affairs Coordinator will: (1) act as a liaison for the ACBCI Government and Legislative Affairs Department, serving as the primary contact between local, state, and federal jurisdictions and ACBCI; (2) coordinate administration of all political contributions; and (3) perform necessary administrative/clerical support for the Department as needed. The successful applicant will be highly motivated and be able to independently provide to Tribal Council: (1) recommendations regarding strategic direction in government and legislative affairs working in collaboration with the Tribal Council, General Counsel, and existing state and federal lobbyists, (2) local, state, and federal policy analysis as it relates to short and long-term Tribal policy objectives. Apply to Brian Estenson, bestenson@aguacaliente.net or apply online.
Navajo Nation Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General
Principal Tribal Court Advocate, Window Rock, AZ. Performs legal work related to representation of the Navajo Nation government, as assigned by the Assistant Attorney General, including legal research, negotiations, legal writing, drafting pleadings, briefs, memoranda, resolutions and other documents for the divisions, departments, or programs assigned. Child Support Enforcement: Present child support enforcement cases before the Office of Hearings and Appeals. Participate in case staffing with Child Support Enforcement officers; provide legal advice and case strategy. This position is open until filled, please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.dpm.navajo-nsn.gov/jobs.html.
Principal Attorney (Water Right Unit), Window Rock, AZ. Under general direction of the Assistant Attorney General or the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General, professionally represents the Nation in multiple water rights adjudications pending in state and federal courts, in state administrative water rights matters and in any settlement negotiations concerning the Nation’s water rights. The Principal Attorney works closely with technical staff within the Water Rights Unit Staff, Department of Water Resources and other programs within the Navajo Nation, and with consultants retained to provide technical support to the Nation or to serve as expert witnesses. The Principal Attorney provides legal advice on all water rights matters to the Office of the President and Vice President, the Office of the Speaker, the Navajo Nation council, and its committees and subcommittees and the Navajo Nation Water Rights commission (NNWRC) to ensure that the water rights of the Navajo Nation are effectively pursued and protected. This position is open until filled, please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.dpm.navajo-nsn.gov/jobs.html.
Senior Programmer Analyst, Window Rock, AZ. Under general direction of the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General, performs a variety of complex duties such as installing, programming, maintaining, and saving of organization’s digital information within the Office of the Attorney General. Responsibilities: Serves as a resource person with regard to matters relating to information systems, development and implementation of security controls, efficient use and maintenance of system and equipment; Facilitates implementation management information systems; Installs and maintains servers on local area networks; performs network device configurations, workstation set ups and assigns nodes or network address definitions; installs and monitors performance of servers on local area networks; coordinates system and LAN changes in users; performs diagnostic and problem resolution with staff; participates in formulation of integrated support plans for multiple local are network; Maintains knowledge of current trends in hardware and software technology relating to the practice of law, selecting the most feasible and economic methods to operate existing system. This position is open until filled, please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.dpm.navajo-nsn.gov/jobs.html.
Navajo Nation Office of the Prosecutor
Prosecutor, Kayenta, AZ. Represents the interest of the Navajo Nation in juvenile adjudications, dependencies, Children in Need of Supervision (CHNS); research and study of litigation of juvenile proceedings and child neglect cases including appellate cases, reviews police, social service, and related reports/complaints, and other law enforcement documents and reports; prepares oral arguments, gathers facts and data; determines if sufficient evidence exists to support the charges; attends juvenile related hearings in Navajo Nation Courts; conducts legal research; drafts complaints, motions and/or other legal proceedings; prepares a legal strategy; identifies and subpoenas witnesses, records and other information required to present the case, prepares legal memoranda, briefs, motions and other required documents for court presentation; performs extensive legal research. Makes decisions in sensitive case and seeks assistance as needed in the juvenile matter. This position serves at the pleasure of the Chief Prosecutor. This position is open until filled, please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.dpm.navajo-nsn.gov/jobs.html.
Senior Prosecutor, Shiprock, NM. Represents the interest of the Navajo Nation in prosecuting individuals alleged to have violated provisions of the Navajo Nation Code; reviews citations, arrest sheets and other law enforcement documents and reports; interviews witnesses, gathers facts and data; determines if sufficient evidence exists to support the charges; conducts legal research; drafts complaints, motions and/or other legal proceedings; prepares a legal strategy; gathers and compiles evidence; identifies and subpoenas witnesses, records and other information required to present the case. Prepares and presents criminal and civil cases in the Navajo Nation and appellate courts; prepares legal memoranda, briefs, motions and other required documents for court presentation; performs extensive legal research. Attends staff meetings, training, law seminars and workshops; provides training to Prosecutors and Juvenile Presenting Officers and on request to law enforcement personnel; collaborates with law enforcement agencies; negotiates settlement with opposing parties. Present major and complex litigation in District and Family Courts; perform extensive legal research; and perform other work-related tasks/assignments as assigned. This position is sedentary with a potential for high levels of stress. This position serves at the pleasure of the Chief Prosecutor. This position is open until filled, please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.dpm.navajo-nsn.gov/jobs.html.
Attorney (2 positions), Window Rock, AZ. Under supervision of the Chief Prosecutor/Deputy Chief Prosecutor represents the interest of the Navajo Nation government. Provides and assists several district prosecutor offices in prosecution of criminal and civil cases representing the interests of the Navajo Nation government. Will attend arraignments, as needed; trials, adjudications, child dependency adjudications, motion hearings, sentencing/disposition hearings, pretrial conferences, preliminary hearings, and other related issues to court attendance; prepares all required legal documents; reviews investigative reports, legal pleadings from defense counsel, law enforcement reports and related documents; determines nature of the criminal offense; establishes case plan with law enforcement personnel from various governmental agencies on most serious criminal offenses such as vehicular homicide, sexual assault, aggravated batteries, child neglect or spousal abuse, etc.; assigns case plans; provides legal guidance and advice to law enforcement personnel in proceeding with investigation; prepares and obtains search warrants as necessary, conducts follow ups on cases and elements of cases, conducts legal research, review criminal complaints, interview witnesses, included but not limited to other legal matters. This position serves at the pleasure of the Chief Prosecutor. This position is open until April 29, 2022 by 5:00 p.m., please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.dpm.navajo-nsn.gov/jobs.html.
Prosecutor, Window Rock, AZ. Represents the interest of the Navajo Nation in prosecuting individuals alleged to have violated provisions of the Navajo Nation Code; reviews citations, arrest sheets and other law enforcement documents and reports; interviews witnesses, gathers facts and data; determines if sufficient evidence exists to support the charges; conducts legal research; drafts complaints, motions and/or other legal proceedings; prepares a legal strategy; gathers and compiles evidence; identifies and subpoenas witnesses, records and other information required to present the case. Prepares and presents criminal and civil cases in the Navajo Nation and appellate courts; prepares legal memoranda, briefs, motions and other required documents for court presentation; performs extensive legal research. This position serves at the pleasure of the Chief Prosecutor. This position is open until May 4, 2022 by 5:00 p.m., please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.dpm.navajo-nsn.gov/jobs.html.
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