Turtle Talk

To post an open Indian law or leadership job to Turtle Talk, send the following information to indigenous@law.msu.edu:

1. In the email body, a typed brief description of the position which includes
   • position title,
   • location (city, state),
   • main duties,
   • closing date,
   • and any other pertinent details such as links to application;
2. An attached PDF job announcement.

 

Havasupai Tribal Court

Conflict Tribal Prosecutor, Supai, AZ. Represent the Tribe in Havasupai Tribal Court in criminal, juvenile, mental health, dependency, and severance of parental rights cases, and perform related duties as appointed by the Tribal Court where the Tribal Prosecutor has a conflict of interest in prosecuting particular cases. Application closes August 31, 2020. Please see the position description for more information.

Tribal Conflict Judge Supai, AZ. Preside over the Havasupai Tribal Court when the Havasupai Chief Judge has a conflict on a matter before the court.  Cases may include civil, criminal, juvenile, mental health, dependency, and severance of parental rights cases. Application closes August 31, 2020. Please see the position description for more information.

Tribal Prosecutor Supai, AZ. Represent the Tribe in Havasupai Tribal Court in criminal, juvenile, mental health, dependency, and severance of parental rights cases, and perform related duties as required.

Staff Attorney, Fossil Fuels, New Orleans or remote in Texas. Earthjustice’s Fossil Fuels program is confronting this massive build-out. We use litigation, administrative advocacy, and partnership to advance an end to U.S. oil and gas extraction and production, and stop new infrastructure (e.g. petrochemical facilities, export terminals and pipelines). The Staff Attorney will focus on challenging new and expanding fossil fuel infrastructure development in Texas and the Gulf South Region. We are looking for a candidate with a J.D barred (or willing to become barred) in Texas, and with at least 5 years of experience. Additional details attached. Interested candidates can submit a resume, cover letter, references, and writing sample here.

Anishinabe Legal Services

Staff Attorney, Cass Lake, MN.  Anishinabe Legal Services is looking to hire a licensed attorney to provide civil legal assistance and court representation to program clients before area Tribal Courts, State Courts, and Administrative Forums.  This position will be open until filled.  Please see the hiring announcement for additional information.

Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians

RFP, Legal Code Review and Development of a Legal Assistance Program, Siletz, OR.  The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians is soliciting proposals for legal services for two separate but related projects: (1) A review of all Tribal Ordinances, Codes, policies, and procedures.  (2) An analysis of options for the development of a legal assistance program for tribal members in Tribal Court.   Please see the detailed RFP document for proposal qualifications and requirements.  Proposers may submit for either one or both of the legal projects.  Proposals must be submitted by August 31, 2020.  All interested proposers should send their proposal to the attention of danielm@ctsi.nsn.us by the due date. Any questions may also be asked via email to danielm@ctsi.nsn.us.  For the Tribe’s ordinances and codes, please click here.

Navajo Nation Department of Justice

Office of the Attorney General

Senior Attorney, Window Rock, AZ.  Under general direction of Assistant Attorney General or the Attorney General, and Deputy Attorney General, Provides legal direction to Navajo Nation Divisions, Departments and Offices, regarding a wide range of legal issues, including statutory and regulatory grounds for local authority, contract disputes and procurement issues, and intergovernmental relations; performs professional legal work in counseling, research, trial and other legal work; present cases in courts; and performs related duties as required.  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, saving of organization’s information within the Office of the Attorney General. Responsibilities: Serves as a resource person with regard to matters relating to information systems, special problems and development in implementation of security controls, efficient use and maintenance of system and equipment; Facilitates implementation management information systems to be compatible with federal, state and other departments. 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 network support staff; participates in formulation of integrated support plans for multiple local area network.  This position is open until August 19, 2020 by 5:00 p.m., please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.dpm.navajo-nsn.gov/jobs.html.

Office of the Chief Prosecutor 

Chief Prosecutor, Window Rock, AZ.  The Chief Prosecutor performs administrative, managerial, and prosecution work in directing the Office of the Chief Prosecutor and component districts including the Juvenile Justice and White Collar Crime programs. Administers short and long range planning, organizing, directing, strategic  planning for  annual, external, and supplemental budgets, and related activities of the Office of the Chief

Prosecutor.  Coordinates  and  evaluates  the  overall  effectiveness of the assigned program offices and districts. Responsible for adhering to the Plan of  Operation  and  establishing  annual  goals  and  objectives, and making necessary amendments.  This position serves at the pleasure of the Attorney General.  This position is open until filled, please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.dpm.navajo-nsn.gov/jobs.html.

Office of the Prosecutor

Prosecutor, Tuba City, AZ.  Under the general supervision of the Chief Prosecutor, this position 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.  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.

Prosecutor, Shiprock, NM.  Under the general supervision of the Chief Prosecutor, this position 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.  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.

Prosecutor, Crownpoint, NM.  Under the general supervision of the Chief Prosecutor, this position 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.  This position serves at the pleasure of the Chief Prosecutor.  This position is open until July 29, 2020 by 5:00 p.m. please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.dpm.navajo-nsn.gov/jobs.html.

Prosecutor, Kayenta, AZ.  Under the general supervision of the Chief Prosecutor, this position 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.  This position serves at the pleasure of the Chief Prosecutor.  This position is open until July 29, 2020 by 5:00 p.m. please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.dpm.navajo-nsn.gov/jobs.html.

Prosecutor, Chinle, AZ.  Under the general supervision of the Chief Prosecutor, this position 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.  This position serves at the pleasure of the Chief Prosecutor.  This position is open until August 5, 2020 by 5:00 p.m. please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.dpm.navajo-nsn.gov/jobs.html.

Water Rights Units 

Assistant Attorney General, Window Rock, AZ.  The Assistant Attorney General (AAG) for the Water Rights Unit is the lead water rights attorney for the Navajo Nation, representing 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 AAG directs and supervises the work of all attorneys within the Unit and contract attorneys representing the Navajo Nation on water rights matters.  The AAG reports to the Attorney General of the Navajo Nation and 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.  This position is open until filled, please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.dpm.navajo-nsn.gov/jobs.html.

Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians

Chief Tribal Judge, Watersmeet, MI. The Chief Tribal Judge is responsible for the operation and administration of the Lac Vieux Desert Tribal Court including all programs operating through the Tribal Court.  The Chief Judge will preside over criminal, civil and child welfare matters before the Tribal Court.  For more information and application, please see the position description at the attached link.

Appellate Judge, Watersmeet, MI. The Appellate Judge presides over appeals filed in the Lac Vieux Desert Tribal Court as part of a three person appellate panel.  For more information and application, please see the position description at the attached link.

Oneida Nation (WI)

Family Court Judge, Oneida Judiciary, Oneida, WI.  The Family Court Judge is responsible for presiding over family law and child welfare cases; oversees proper management of the Family Court’s calendar and business, including recruiting and training guardians ad litem; supervises the Clerks of Family Court; and assists in developing the annual budget for the Family Court.  The Family Court Judge must (1) have a juris doctor from an accredited law school, (2) have at least 5 years of experience practicing in the area of family law; and (3) be licensed to practice law in the State of Wisconsin or gain admission to the State Bar of Wisconsin within one year of taking office.  For more information, please see the position description or apply at here.  The position is open until filled.

New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty

Healthcare Attorney/Policy Advocate. The Center is advancing innovative solutions to make healthcare affordable to all New Mexicans, protect Medicaid coverage, reduce medical debt and ensure equitable policies prioritized by immigrant, Native American and low-income communities, in collaboration with a broad network of partners and community leaders. This work includes policy advocacy, legislative efforts, community education, coalition-building, and legal representation (for attorneys). Apply in confidence by emailing a resume and cover letter to contact@nmpovertylaw.org. View the full position description here.

Northwest Justice Project’s Native American Unit

Temporary Staff Attorney, Spokane, WA. NJP has received one-time funding from the Office of Civil Legal Aid (OCLA) to expand its capacity to serve Native Americans in urban areas facing housing problems as a result of the COVID-19 emergency. The attorney will provide limited legal assistance to Native American tenants in King County, Pierce County, and Spokane County, with extended representation in Spokane County. This is a full-time position with an anticipated employment duration through June 30, 2021.  This position is a full-time position located in NJP’s Spokane office. Open until filled.

Temporary Staff Attorney, Seattle, WA. The Northwest Justice Project (NJP) has received one-time funding from the Office of Civil Legal Aid to expand its capacity to serve the needs of Native American crime victims arising out of the COVID-19 emergency. As a result, NJP will add a temporary Crime Victim Attorney for the program’s Native American Unit (NAU). The NAU is a specialized unit that advocates for the rights of Native American individuals and communities, on- and off-reservation. This is a full-time position with an anticipated employment duration through June 30, 2021. Open until filled.

Temporary Paralegal, Seattle, WA. The Northwest Justice Project (NJP) has received one-time funding from the Office of Civil Legal Aid to expand its capacity to serve Native Americans accessing unemployment insurance and other employment benefits issues as a result of the COVID-19 emergency.  As a result, NJP will add a temporary Employment Benefits Navigator within the organization’s Native American Unit (NAU). The NAU is a specialized unit that advocates for the rights of Native American individuals and communities, on- and off-reservation. This is a full-time position with an anticipated employment duration through June 30, 2021.  While all most staff are currently working remotely, this position is expected to be located in NJP’s Seattle office.  Other NJP office locations may be considered, depending on the availability of space. Applications are being accepted until August 10, 2020.

Pueblo of Laguna

RFP. Pueblo of Laguna seeks proposals from any law firm or individual practicing attorney to provide legal services for outside special counsel services in any of multiple practice areas for a 3-year term. Reply by September 30, 2020.

See posts from July 24, 2020.