Turtle Talk

Job vacancies are posted on Fridays. Any posts received prior to 12pm EST on Friday will appear in that Friday’s announcements. If you would like to submit a post for an Indian law or leadership job, please send a PDF job announcement and a brief description of job to indigenous@law.msu.edu.

Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation

Associate Judge, Nespelem, W.A. The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation is looking for an Associate Judge to preside over criminal, civil, juvenile, and administrative proceedings. Minimum requirements include a J.D. and previous judicial experience. The job pays approximately $37.26-$64.08 per hour, depending on experience. Please see the announcement for more information. Position open until filled.

Managing Attorney, Office of the Reservation Attorney, Nespelem, W.A. The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation is looking for a Managing Attorney to manage to assure the work of all attorneys in the ORA is quality work. The Managing Attorney will be responsible for holding all ORA attorneys to the highest ethical and professional standards. This job pays approximately $56.39-$74.33, depending on experience. Please see the announcement for more information. Position open until filled.

Tohono O’odham Nation

Assistant Legislative Attorney, Sells, A.Z. 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’ogham 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. This position pays $85,983-$144,415, depending on experience. Please see the job announcement for more information. Position open until filled.

Nez Perce Tribe

The Nez Perce Tribe (Tribe) Environmental Restoration and Waste Management (ERWM) program is recruiting for:  HANFORD PROJECT LEGAL POLICY ANALYST HR-18-107  Located at Lapwai, ID.  The ERWM programs’ role is to protect the Tribe’s treaty-reserved right at the Hanford Site in the state of Washington, regulate air quality on the Tribe’s Reservation in the state of Idaho, and oversee emergency response planning on the Reservation. The ideal candidate will be a team player; will have sound judgement, accompanied by excellent research, writing, and communications skills; the ability to analyze complex factual, legal, and policy issues; the ability to delve deeply into environmental strategies and projects related to the Tribe’s interests at the Hanford Site; and the ability to respond to a wide array of environmental issues that require prompt and accurate analysis.

The Tribe offers an attractive compensation package, including: medical and life insurance, a matching 401 (k) contribution, and a generous leave policy. The successful candidate will be working with the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA).  However, the Program will provide training and professional development opportunities for the successful candidate in these areas.  Experience working on behalf of Indian tribes or other governments is preferred.  Requires a Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school. Applicants must also pass a criminal background check with no criminal convictions, hold membership in good standing with a state bar, have a minimum of one (1) year of legal practice experience, and have a positive work history.   To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, 5-10 page writing sample, and three (3) letters of references along with your Nez Perce Tribe application to: HANFORD PROJECT LEGAL POLICY ANALYST HR-18-107, P.O. Box 365, Lapwai, ID 83540, by 4:30 pm 5/28/18 (208) 843-7332  Tribal preference applies. The Nez Perce Tribe is a drug free work environment, pre-employment drug testing required.   Must provide a current motor vehicle report from the state(s) where you have been licensed to drive within the last three (3) years. Class description available from the Tribe’s Human Resources Department.   INCOMPLETE APPLICATION PACKETS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.  www.nezperce.org

Nebraska Indian Child Welfare Coalition

Executive Director, Lincoln, N.E. The Nebraska Indian Child Welfare Coalition is looking for an Executive Director. The Executive Director is responsible for the leadership and management of the organization. Through effective collaboration with the Board of Directors, Nebraska Tribes and partners, the Executive Director is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating a coordinated program plan; securing resources to support the plan; and growing the organization. With the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for NICWC’s operations and personnel. This position pays $60,000 a year. Please see the announcement for more information.

Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Reservation

Summer Law Clerk, Pendleton, O.R. The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Reservation is seeking a Summer Law Clerk for Summer 2018 to conduct legal research and writing work. This position pays $14-$21 per hour. Please see the job announcement for more details.

Ho-Chunk Nation

Tribal Attorney, W.I. The Ho-Chunk Nation is seeking a Tribal Attorney to perform a variety of legal work representing the Nation, including representing its departments, boards, and commissions. The Tribal Attorney will prepare pleadings and attend hearings on behalf of the Nation. Please see the announcement for more information.

Department of Justice

Assistant United States Attorney, Grand Rapids, M.I. The district is soliciting applications for a Criminal Division Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) position in the Grand Rapids, Michigan office. Candidates should be capable of handling the prosecution of all manner of federal crimes, including in particular drug, firearm and immigration offenses, as well as the pursuit of asset forfeiture claims. Western District of Michigan Criminal Division AUSAs are responsible for substantial legal research and writing at the trial and appellate levels as well as on collateral review. Position pays $61,217-$143,639. Applications close on June 4, 2018.

Assistant United States Attorney, Minneapolis-St. Paul, M.N. Assistant U.S. Attorneys (AUSAs) in the Criminal Division prosecute federal criminal cases in the District. Criminal Division AUSAs advise federal law enforcement agents on criminal investigations, present criminal cases to the grand jury, try criminal cases before the United States District Court, and represent the United States in criminal appeals before the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. Candidates should be capable of handling a variety of significant and complex criminal prosecutions. Position pays $70,336-$164,100. Applications close on May 25, 2018.

Department of Interior

Supervisory Attorney-Adviser, Washington, D.C. The Division of Indian Affairs provides legal counsel and representation to the Secretary acting as federal trustee to American Indian tribes and their members. The division also provides legal advice to the Office of the Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Bureau of Indian Education concerning the administration of Indian services and programs. The Branch of Tribal Government Services handles legal issues relating to acknowledgement and federal recognition, education, jurisdiction, Native Hawaiian, international, hunting and fishing, Indian Child Welfare Act, Johnson O’Malley Act, tribal government disputes, tribal constitutions, tribal ordinances, and Section 17 Corporations.

The incumbent exercises a broad range of supervisory responsibilities over assigned employees. Supervision exercised includes planning and scheduling work; allocating personnel to projects; defining work assignments; providing instructions and guidance; reviewing, accepting, amending, or rejecting work performed, and evaluating assigned employees.

The incumbent reviews and prepares litigation reports, oversees discovery, drafts pleadings and reviews Department of Justice filings in judicial litigation on matters within assigned areas of responsibility arising out of the various programs and activities listed above for the above referenced agencies. In addition, the incumbent provides key advice to executive-level management officials within the bureaus and agencies at the national or regional level. Applications close on May 21, 2018.

Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Court

Assistant Tribal Prosecutor, Fort Yates, N.D. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe is soliciting applications for employment, as an independent contract employee, for an Assistant Tribal Prosecutor for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Court. This is a full time position.  The number of hours, days of employment and compensation are all negotiable. The terms of employment will be determined by the agreement of the parties. The contract shall be compensated on an hourly basis. Employment beyond one year will be contingent upon funding. Please see the announcement for more information.

Last week’s postings: May 11, 2018