Job Announcements

Arianna Morseau

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 a link to the application
  • An attached PDF job announcement or link to the position description

Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation

Staff Attorney. Oakville, WA. Representing the Departments of the Tribe, the Tribe’s enterprises, and the Chehalis Tribe Housing Authority.  This work will focus on transactional work and providing other Indian Law and sovereignty services for the Tribe including litigation, research, and other tribal and state court related matters. Closing Date: April 30, 2023.

Judicial Branch of the Navajo Nation

Traditional Program Specialist. Crownpoint, NM, Shiprock, NM, Kayenta, AZ. Provide administrative support, recruit, orientate, train and mentor peacemakers;  Recommend and guide individuals and families with follow-up services;  Provide guidance in traditional Navajo healing approaches incorporating both Western, faith-based and Navajo traditional philosophies;  Implement the Peacemaking Program’s traditional curriculum to provide services to youth, adults, families to restore harmony;  Attend trainings and conferences pursuant to established training plans;  Randomly monitor and promote the effectiveness and efficiency of peacemakers;  Assist with written agreements and narratives;  Interview individuals to obtain and verify required case documents and other information; Performs intake process for individuals or as ordered by the court. Open Until Filled.

Judicial Hearing Officer. Window Rock, AZ/ Shiprock, NM. Under the administrative supervision of the Chief Justice or his/her designee, this position exercises authority to preside over hearings and dispositions involving the Domestic Abuse Protection Act and Alchinni Bi Beehazannii Act occurring within the respective jurisdictions of the District Courts of the Navajo Nation; performs related work as assigned. Open Until Filled.

Court Solicitor. Window Rock, AZ. Under the general direction of the Chief Justice or his/her designee, provides a variety of legal advice, counseling, research and related legal services in support of the overall judicial operation of the Navajo Nation Judicial Branch; develops and implements improved court processes and supports courts in their use; provides legal advice, research and drafting documents for court operations; performs related duties as assigned. Serves as attorney advisor for court operations, specifically on the development of court rules, forms and standards throughout the Judicial Branch; focuses on development of case management policies and procedures to effectively provide excellent services to court customers; performs analysis and assessment of court operations and case management process; develops procedures and policies to ensure consistent. Open Until Filled.

Staff Attorney. Aneth, UT, Chinle, AZ, Kayenta, AZ. Under general direction of the Judges of the assigned district, performs work of considerable difficulty in providing complex legal advice and guidance; conducts legal research and drafts legal documents in support of the judges, court solicitor and court administrators; undertakes special projects for the Judicial Branch; performs related duties as assigned. Open Until Filled.

Associate Justice. Window Rock, AZ. Under administrative direction of the Chief Justice, performs work of unusual difficulty, hears arguments, reads briefs and conducts research necessary to pass judgment and issue rulings on cases brought before the Navajo Nation Supreme Court; may serve as acting Chief Justice; performs related duties as assigned. Open Until Filled.

District Court Judges. Navajo Nation Wide. Under administrative direction of the Chief Justice, performs work of unusual difficulty in presiding over civil, criminal and family court cases; provides policy direction and guidance in the operation of Judicial Districts; performs related duties as assigned. Open Until Filled.

The Hopi Tribe

Deputy General Counsel. Kykotsmovi AZ. This is a tribal inhouse counsel position for the Hopi Tribe.  The position processes requests for legal review by the Tribal Council and the Tribe’s Officers, Departments and Programs.  These requests can range from contract review to answering and analyzing complex questions of law dealing with natural resources to human resources. Closing Date – Open until filled.

Prosecutor. Keam Canyon, Arizona. The Chief Prosecutor administers the Hopi Tribe’s Office of the Tribal Prosecutor.  He or she is responsible for the prosecution of violations of the Hopi tribal code and pursues dependency matters pursuant to the Hopi Children’s’ Code.  This position works (and coordinates) with Hopi and BIA law enforcement, the FBI and US attorney’s office.  The position also works with the Tribal Council in reviewing the Code and law enforcement matters on the Hopi Reservation.  Importantly, the position prosecutes cases before the Hopi Tribal Courts. Closing Date – Open until filled.

Deputy Tribal Prosecutor.  Keam Canyon, AZ. The Deputy is responsible for the prosecution of violations of the Hopi tribal code and pursues dependency matters pursuant to the Hopi Children’s’ Code.  .  This position works (and coordinates) with Hopi and BIA law enforcement, the FBI and US attorney’s office.  The position also works with the Tribal Council in reviewing the Code and law enforcement matters on the Hopi Reservation.  Importantly, the position prosecutes cases before the Hopi Tribal Courts. Closing Date – Open until filled.

Hopi Board of Education

Banking Services for Hopi School System. Hopi Reservation, Kykotsmovi, AZ. The Hopi Board of Education is soliciting proposals from full service banking institutions for banking services to serve as the primary depository for the Hopi School System.  The Hopi School System is a unified school district of seven Tribally Controlled Schools on the Hopi Reservation with an average annual budget of $30,000,000. Closing date:  April 20, 2023, 5:00 p.m. (MST).

Elk River Law Office, PLLP

Associate Attorney. Billings, Montana. Provide legal services to new and existing clients. Applicants with three years of experience in civil legal work, including Federal Indian law is preferred. Judicial clerk experience will be considered. All applicants must have a Montana bar license and have strong research and writing skills. Competitive salary based upon experience. The position is open until filled.

National Congress of American Indians 

NCAI Policy Lead. Washington, DC. Under the direction of the NCAI’s Director of Policy & Legal and/or Designee carrying out the primary duties of the Policy Lead, include but are not limited to: Leading NCAI’s work with leaders, NCAI staff, and partners to develop and drive a national, consensus-based Indian Country policy agenda that supports and advances the portfolio area(s) assigned to the Policy Lead. Developing and maintaining relationships with Congressional and Administration contacts that are necessary to further the overall mission and responsibilities of NCAI and Indian Country’s national policy agenda in the portfolio area(s) assigned to the Policy Lead, including interaction with federal partners, national and regional organization partners, constituent inquiries, and correspondence. Developing and maintaining close working relationships with NCAI’s coalition partners to facilitate the advancement of Indian Country’s national policy agenda in the portfolio area(s) assigned to the Policy Lead. Closing Date: Open until filled. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning in early April.

NCAI Policy Associate. Washington, DC. Under the direction of the NCAI’s Director of Policy & Legal and/or Designee carrying out the primary duties of the Policy Associate include but are not limited to: Advancing NCAI’s work with tribal leaders, NCAI staff, and partners to develop and drive a national Indian Country policy agenda that supports and advances a broad, consensus-based approach to developing and advocating for priorities. Supporting Policy Director, Manager(s), and Lead(s) to help build and maintain relationships with Congressional and Administration contacts to further the overall mission and responsibilities of NCAI and Indian Country’s national policy agenda, including interaction with federal partners, national and regional organization partners, constituent inquiries, and correspondence. Closing Date: Open until filled. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning in early April.

Harvard Law School

Senior Staff Attorney. Cambridge, MA. EELP is seeking a Senior Staff Attorney (5+ years post-graduate experience) to develop legal and policy research on climate change and clean energy policy. The senior staff attorney will engage with private and public sector actors on federal and state climate rulemakings and convene diverse stakeholders and experts to develop legal analysis and policy proposals. Open until filled.

Staff Attorney. Cambridge, MA. EELP is seeking a Staff Attorney (3+ years post-graduate experience) to develop legal and policy research on climate change and clean energy policy. The staff attorney will engage with private and public sector actors on federal and state climate rulemakings and support the team’s convening of diverse stakeholders and experts to develop legal analysis and policy proposals. Open until filled.

Department of the Interior, Bureau Of Indian Affairs

Legal Fellow. Office of the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior. Analyze Indian policy, legal and regulatory issues, address public requests, provide support for the AS-IA policy team in meetings with Tribes, federal agencies, external entities, and congressional engagement activities, as well as support Tribal consultations. May include limited travel. Unpaid position. Closing-date: 04/21/2023. Send a resume and writing-sample to: joaquin.gallegos@indianaffairs.gov.

Regional Director-Alaska, BIA, Department of the Interior. Anchorage, AK. Represents the Bureau on behalf of the Secretary, oversees the application and implementation of overall policies and programs at the region, agency, and field offices, provides technical advice and review, evaluates performance, and recommends revisions of policies, programs, procedures, and regulations. Closing Date: 04/24/2023.

Oglala Lakota Housing Authority

Court Clerk. Pine Ridge, SD. Performs various routine duties, including but not limited to: utilizes standard office equipment, taking and transmitting messages, maintaining databases and a variety of records, data entry and processing documents. Review legal documents for accuracy and completeness. Maintain calendars of hearings, trials, issuance of summons and subpoenas. Work with OLHA staff to ensure respondents are provided adequate notice of complaints and hearings. Attend scheduled hearings. Mark and maintaining exhibits. Recording court proceedings. Respond to complex inquiries from judges, attorneys, and the public. Issues orders and judgments. Calls court to order in the absence of the Bailiff; administering oath and processing of documents. Perform other duties as assigned. Open until filled.

Isleta Pueblo

Judge. Isleta Pueblo, NM. Works with the Chief Judge in achieving the Tribal Court’s goals and objectives by adjudicating all criminal and civil cases brought before the Isleta Tribal Court in accordance with the legal code of the Pueblo of Isleta.  Manages and oversees all Tribal Court staff. Closing Date: 04/07/2023.

San Manuel Band of Mission Indians

Director, Revenue Management- Hotel. Highland, CA. Under the general direction of the Vice President of Hotel Operations, the Director of Revenue Management is responsible for the development and implementation of revenue management strategies and processes in all client hotels in order for optimization and maximization of its revenues. The Director of Revenue Management identifies new revenue opportunities, provides daily, weekly and monthly reporting, optimizes and expands distribution partnerships, and acts as overall business development partner for the Office of the General Manager. Additionally, the Director of Revenue Management actively participates in the Revenue Management Committee and champions a revenue management culture.  Closing date: Open until filled.

Staff Attorney – Government. Highland, CA. Under the direction of the VP Associate General Counsel, the Staff Attorney provides legal advice to the Tribal government, Tribal government operations and the Tribal government’s business enterprises. This position assists in counseling all levels of leadership in diverse issues related to transactions and contracting for the Tribal government, Tribal government operations and the Tribal government’s business enterprises. The Staff Attorney provides recommendations to minimize legal and financial exposure. This position also assures best practices to address emerging legal and business issues related to the Tribal government, Tribal government operations and the Tribal government’s business enterprises. Closing date: Open until filled.

Staff Attorney – DEER. Highland, CA. Under the direction of the Managing Attorney, the Staff Attorney – DEER (Development, Environmental, Entitlements, and Real Estate) provides counsel to all levels of leadership on diverse issues related to government and business operations, contracting, land use entitlement, energy, environmental, health and safety matters, real estate development, management, and acquisition. This role utilizes best practices in providing legal advice to the Tribe and in addressing emerging legal and business issues related to the Tribe and it’s enterprises. The Staff Attorney – DEER provides recommendations on attaining enterprise goals while minimizing legal and financial exposure. Closing date: Open until filled.

Click here for last week’s job announcements!