Friday Job Announcements

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.

Department of Justice

Assistant United States Attorney, Asheville, N.C. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina encompasses 32 western counties in North Carolina. Our mission is to seek justice. Protect the rights and safety of the public by vigorously, ethically and impartially enforcing the laws of the United States and Safeguard the Federal funds and resources. The duties of a Civil AUSA will include filing civil complaints and enforcing civil and criminal judgments, conducting legal research, writing briefs, taking deposits, appearing in court, and conducting investigations. Applications close on June 15, 2018. Please see the website for more information.

Oglala Sioux Nation

Justices, Pine Ridge, S.D. The Supreme Court of the Oglala Sioux Nation is looking to fill three (3) Supreme Court Justice positions and one (1) Alternate Justice position. All Justices of the Supreme Court must have a Juris Doctorate from an A.B.A. accredited law school and must be licensed to practice law in any state or federal jurisdiction. Justices of the Supreme Court shall be appointed to the Supreme Court by the Tribal Council and shall serve a six year term. Please see the announcement for more information. Applications open until positions are filled.

Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission

Habitat Policy Analyst II, Olympia, W.A. The Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission (NWIFC) is looking for a Habitat Policy Analyst to provide policy analysis, support and coordination on emerging habitat issues for Commission and member tribes to advance habitat protection and restoration objective necessary to the protection of tribal treaty rights and resources. NWIFC is looking for someone with a Master’s degree in environmental science, public administration, legal or related fields and seven years of pertinent work experience. Applications open until July 6, 2018. Please see the announcement for more information.

Last week’s postings: June 8, 2018.

Friday Job Announcements

Job vacancies are posted on Friday. Additional announcements may appear throughout the week. If you would like your Indian law or leadership job posted on Turtle Talk, please email indigenous@law.msu.edu.

Department of Interior

Attorney-Adviser, Office of the Solicitor, Phoenix. A.Z. The Office of the Solicitor is seeking an Attorney-Adviser to provide legal counsel and representation for the Western Region of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, analyze complex legal issues and provide advice on a broad range of legal issues affecting bureaus within the department, including the Bureau of Indian Affairs, handle all phases of administrative litigation, draft litigation reports and provide other legal support, and handle general law matters. This position pays $74,872 to $136,771 per year, and applications close on May 4, 2018.

Sonosky, Chambers

Summer Associate, Washington D.C. Sonosky, Chambers, Sachse, Endreson, & Perry LLP is a national law firm dedicated to representing Native American interests in a wide range of endeavors including trial and appellate litigation, federal Indian law, tribal law, Indian self-determination and self-governance matters, transportation and infrastructure, natural resources, and economic development, among others. The firm’s practice includes representation of tribal interests in federal, tribal and state courts, and before Congress, state legislatures, and federal and state agencies. Sonosky, Chambers is recruiting 2L students for 2019 summer associate positions. Interested applicants should see the job announcement linked above for more information. Applications close on August 31, 2018.

Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians

Associate General Counsel, Temecula, C.A. The Associate General Counsel will work in the Office of the General Counsel under the direct supervision of the General Counsel for the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians.  The Associate General Counsel will work with the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel to provide legal services, representation and advice on legal issues confronting the Tribal Government, its entities and enterprises; provide guidance and assistance to Tribal Government departments; and provide limited service to tribal members in matters relating to tribal status. Please see the job announcement for more information and how to apply.

Water Protector Legal Collective

Strategic Planning, Mandan, N.D. The Water Protector Legal Collective (WPLC) is seeking proposals from professional qualified consultants to provide services to WPLC for the development of a three to five year strategic plan. All proposals should clearly define how they will work with WPLC to assist in a comprehensive, participatory planning process. Applications close on May 4, 2018. Please see the job announcement for more information and how to apply.

National Congress of American Indians

Project Attorney, Washington, D.C. The National Congress of American Indians has an opening for a Project Attorney in the Washington, DC office. The Project Attorney will have responsibility for day to day management of NCAI’s VAWA implementation technical assistance project. This project is focused on supporting tribes as they implement Special Domestic Violence Criminal Jurisdiction pursuant to the Violence Against Women Act of 2013. The Project Attorney will work closely with senior NCAI staff assigned to the project, with an inter-tribal working group of tribal stakeholders, and with other project partners. Applications close on May 31, 2018. Please see the website for more information and how to apply.

Swinomish Indian Tribal Community

Staff Attorney, Swinomish Village, W.A. The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community is seeking a Staff Attorney to provide legal advice and representation, document drafting and collaboration with a wide range of Swinomish Indian Tribal Community policy committees, departments and entities. Work may include contract preparation, drafting ordinances and policies, treaty hunting/fishing rights and management, environmental protection and habitat restoration, land management, Indian gaming and gaming regulation, housing and utilities, health care and/or social welfare programs, employment or taxation. Qualified applicants must be licensed, or have the ability to become licensed within six months, to practice in Washington. We are seeking an energetic attorney, preferably with at least three years of experience, with excellent written, oral, research and analytical skills, strong interpersonal communication and negotiation skills, and an ability to work hard and thrive in an interdisciplinary and cross-cultural environment; bring flexibility to a fast-paced and dynamic work setting; enjoy and excel at creative problem solving; have demonstrated a commitment to working with Native or other minority communities and/or restorative justice; and a commitment to reside on or near the Swinomish Reservation.

Qualified applicants must have experience or demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following: drafting and negotiating contracts; drafting statutes, policies and procedures; litigation, preferably in Federal Court; representing public or private entities; gaming regulation or operations; and Indian law, including protection of treaty rights, as well as expertise in several of the substantive fields of law listed above. Compensation DOE. For application and complete job description please provide your contact information to Wendy Otto, 11404 Moorage Way, LaConner, WA 98257; (fax) 360-466-5309; email wotto@swinomish.nsn.us. Applications will be accepted until suitable candidate is found. Native American hiring preferences under Swinomish Tribal Code 14-01.120 will be in effect during the selection of candidates. Applicants must pass a background check and a drug test.

Department of Justice

Assistant United States Attorney, Anchorage, A.K. The Anchorage Office is seeking two (2) AUSAs to work in its Criminal Division. The successful candidate primarily will be responsible for handling the investigation and prosecution of federal crimes. This will include prosecuting a wide range of cases such as firearms offenses, drug crimes, child exploitation and other violent crimes, fraud, embezzlement and other white collar crimes. In addition, the candidate may also be called upon to assist in the prosecution of a wide variety of other criminal cases as needed to address the districts priorities. Assistant United States Attorneys work their cases from inception through appeal, and thus, in addition to district court work, the successful candidate will be responsible for drafting appellate briefs and presenting oral arguments. This position pays $72,987 to $164,100 per year, and applications close on May 9, 2018. Please see the website for more information.

Last Week’s Post: April 20, 2018.

Friday Job Announcements

Job vacancies are posted on Friday. Additional announcements may appear throughout the week. If you would like your Indian law or leadership job posted on Turtle Talk, please email indigenous@law.msu.edu.

Department of Justice

Assistant United States Attorney, Phoenix, A.Z. AUSAs have the opportunity to represent the interests of the United States of America in the United States District Court of Arizona and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, in performing this important public service, to exercise responsibility that is unparalleled in any other job that a litigator might undertake. AUSAs immediately undertake cases, many high profile, in any of several units within each division. Applications close on April 25, 2018.

Klamath Tribes Judiciary

Chief Judge, Chiloquin, O.R. The Klamath Tribes Judiciary has as part-time, contract Chief Judge position open. Please see the job announcement for more information, or contact Danita Herrera, Judicial Branch Director, at (541) 783-3020, ext. 105, or at danita.herrera@klamathtribalcourts.com.

Ho-Chunk Nation

Staff Attorney-Law Clerk, Black River Falls, W.I. The Ho-Chunk nation is looking for a Staff Attorney to assist Tribal Court Judges and Supreme Court Justices with legal research and the drafting of opinions in a timely manner while facilitating public access to the Court through the provision of procedural legal information. Reports to the Sr. Staff Attorney.

Duties and responsibilities:

  1. Legal research and the drafting of memos for Trial Court Judges and Supreme Court Justices on questions of law.
  2. Research legal issues identified by the Sr. Staff Attorney, Chief Judge, Associate Judges, and Supreme Court.
  3. Compile case law and make it available to users of the court system.
  4. Field questions from court users and design court forms as needed.
  5. Responsible for editing monthly court bulletins and maintaining opinion summaries in the law library.
  6. Coordinate Law Day and maintain records necessary for CLE accreditation with State Bar of Wisconsin.
  7. Coordinate HCN Bar Admission for the HCN Supreme Court and occasionally assist in drafting and issuing various Court Rules.
  8. Must assist with Lay Advocate and Guardian ad litem Training.
  9. Responsible to work with minimal supervision and exercise their independent legal evaluation throughout the workday.
  10. Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Qualifications:

  1. Ability to work independently and exercise initiative.
  2. Familiarity with Ho-Chunk Nation laws, federal Indian Law, and tribal law.
  3. Ability to multi-task, prioritize tasks, and delegate responsibilities as appropriate to the demands of the Court.
  4. Ability to communicate clearly, orally and in writing, with a variety of persons such as tribal citizens, tribal officials, judicial officers, and attorneys.
  5. Must be professional, have outstanding telephone etiquette and a friendly, patient attitude when dealing with parties and the general public.
  6. Strong research and writing skills.
  7. Strong word processing and computer research skills.
  8. Fluency in Ho-Chunk desired but not required.
  9. Juris Doctorate degree.
  10. A member in good standing of a state bar.
  11. Preference given to members of the Ho-Chunk Nation, then to members of other federally recognized tribes.

To Apply: Send resume, a cover letter, writing sample, and school transcripts to Schuyler.tilson@ho-chunk.com. This is a full-time position, with a salary of $62,400/year.

 

 

DNA-People’s Legal Services (Job Announcement Linked Here)

Finance Director, Window Rock, A.Z. The Director of Finance is a full-time position that provides overall financial management and analysis for DNA. The position will oversee and review all financial transactions; perform complex budgeting and accounting functions, conduct financial, statistical and analytical studies and projections; prepare financial reports for management, the board and others; oversee all DNA law offices budgets in the preparation for and execution of the annual audit, tax and other regulatory filings; periodically consult with the program team on financial reports of grantees; and ensure that DNA adheres to the best, most reliable and most transparent financial policies and procedures. The Finance Director will be located at the DNA Office in Window Rock, AZ. See the job announcement linked above for more information and how to apply.

Managing Attorney, Flagstaff, A.Z. The Managing Attorney is responsible for the management and oversight of the office to which they are assigned, including ensuring that the office meets or exceeds operational goals and objectives, providing necessary legal services for assigned cases and liaising with the office staff to ensure effective client service business operations. To provide supervision and case management assistance to other case handlers within the office to ensure the office is providing uniform, high quality advocacy for low-income clients in all forums, including the courts, administrative agencies, and community outreach initiatives. See the job announcement linked above for more information and how to apply.

Staff Attorney, Flagstaff, A.Z. The Staff Attorney represents clients in court or before government agencies, prepares and drafts legal documents on behalf of clients, advises clients on business and legal transactions, negotiates settlements for legal disputes, complies with all legal standards and regulations, and performs administrative and management functions related to the practice of law. Additionally, DNA-People’s Legal Services is also hiring a Public Defender Attorney in the Hopi Public Defender’s Office. See the job announcement linked above for more information and how to apply.

National Council on Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ)

Program Director, Tribal Justice Partnerships, Reno, N.V. The Tribal Justice Partnerships Program Director position requires a unique blend of knowledge, skills, and abilities. This position will work primarily with tribal courts, but can be tasked with other projects, as needed. The Program Director will be required to build a substantial knowledge base around private and public funded projects that focus on improving tribal court practices in family welfare and juvenile matters; implement the principles of collaboration among court, agencies, and community; develop content expertise on issues common across system-involved children and families (e.g., trauma, substance abuse, etc.); and have experience and knowledge in tribal court systems. This position will direct the tribal court team, as well as perform collaborative planning and decision-making with other projects across the organization. Please visit NCJFCJ’s website for more information and how to apply. Applications close on May 14, 2018.

Navajo Nation Washington Office

Government & Legislative Affairs Associate, Washington, D.C. The Navajo Nation is looking for a Government & Legislative Affairs Associate in its Washington Office. Minimum qualifications require a master’s degree in public policy, law, or a closely-related field and two (2) years of work experience in the legal or legislative field.  Some of the Associate’s duties include: conduct review, analysis and research on proposed and pending legislation and policy initiatives to ensure that legislation and initiatives do not adversely affect the Nation; draft budgetary and appropriations requests, legislative bills, policy proposals and position papers; prepares and provides detailed reports on activities of Congress to the Nation; advocate and communicates extensively with congressional representatives and federal agencies on the issues and positions of the Nation; analyze existing federal regulations to protect the interests of the Nation; analyze legislative, policy and budgetary initiatives developed by the federal government; provide reports to the Nation outlining the political and policy ramifications of these initiatives and provides strategic recommendation on how the Nation should address these initiatives. Please see the job announcement for more information. Applications close on May 2, 2018.

See also: ILPC Program Coordinator (posted April 16, 2018).

Last week’s post: April 13, 2018.

Register Now, American Indian Justice Conference

FREE TRAINING OPPORTUNITY

Register Now for the American Indian Justice Conference and Present Your Work at the All Nations Cafe

December 7-8, 2017
Renaissance Palm Springs
Agua Caliente Reservation, CA

All Nations Cafe Session at the AIJC: 

Join us for the All-Nations Cafe. This session is designed for you to share your innovations and learn from your fellow participants! This activity is similar to a poster session and we encourage you to create something and become exhibitors. What you can do: develop a poster board or visual display describing the process (including the change-process); draft talking points and select a team member to present; bring brochures, fact sheets, sample forms or policies that you would like to share; bring business cards or provide contact information so participants will be able to reach you if they have additional questions or seek advice. If you are interested in participating please contact Cheri Ely atcely@ncjfcj.org to sign-up or ask questions. Raffle prizes will be drawn for both exhibitors and participants.

Registration for the Training: Register HERE. No cost for registration, but participants must cover the costs of travel, lodging, and per diem/food.

About: The goal of the Bureau of Justice Assistance sponsored AIJC is to provide training to enhance your tribal community’s response to combat alcohol and drug abuse, recognize how trauma impacts drug and alcohol abuse in tribal communities, and identify current trends and best practices for tribal justice systems to strengthen multi-disciplinary approaches to healing and justice. The five multi-disciplinary tracks include alcohol and substance abuse, tribal justice strategic planning, tribal courts, tribal security and probation, and tribal youth.  

CTAS Purpose Area 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, and 9 grantees may use grant funds to attend the AIJC. Please confirm with your Program Manager that you have adequate travel and training funds remaining in your award. 

THIS CONFERENCE HAS RECEIVED FINAL APPROVAL BY THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. 

Additional information available here: FREE TRAINING OPPORTUNITY

Justice Dept. Cements Position on Concurrent Federal Criminal Jurisdiction in “Optional” P.L. 280 States

Here:

oaag-80488-v1-optional_pl_280_memo_to_u_s__attorneys

An excerpt:

For decades, conflicting judicial decisions and Department of Justice statements have led to uncertainty about whether the United States has concurrent jurisdiction under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1152 and 1153 over Indian-country crimes that fall within an “optional P.L. 280” State’s jurisdiction under Section 7 of Public Law No. 83-280, 67 Stat. 588, 590 (1953). The Acting Solicitor General, after reviewing prior positions of the Department and the underlying legal materials, has now concluded that the litigating position of the United States is that the United States does have this concurrent criminal jurisdiction. Your Offices therefore can bring prosecutions under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1152 and 1153, in accordance with 28 C.F.R. § 50.25(a)(2), notwithstanding any contrary view about optional P.L. 280 jurisdiction that the United States or the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) may have previously expressed.

Report: Improving Tribal Consultation and Tribal Involvement in Federal Infrastructure Decisions – January 2017

Here. [PDF for when the Trump Administration deletes this report.] Update 10/27/17 — aaaaand it’s gone.

An excerpt:

This Report serves several functions. First, it provides information about the existing Federal statutory, regulatory, and policy framework governing both Tribal consultation and Federal decision-making on infrastructure and related projects. Second, it serves as a record of Tribal input on this topic, summarizing both written and oral comments received during the consultations, listening session, and written comment period. Third, in order to improve both consultation and infrastructure permitting processes, this Report recommends that agencies undertake a thorough review of their consultation policies and practices, and that consultation policies be provided to the WHCNAA and made publicly available (if they are not already). The Report provides an initial Federal response to Tribal comments and recommendations along with a set of principles that should inform Tribal consultation. Finally, the Report highlights best practices gleaned from what Tribes identified as successful Tribal consultations and makes recommendations for further research, administrative, regulatory, or legislative action.

Friday Job Announcements

Job vacancies are posted on Friday. Some announcements might still appear throughout the week. If you would like your Indian law job posted on Turtle Talk, please email indigenous@law.msu.edu.

Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe

RFP for tribal prosecutor, proposals will be accepted until January 31, 2017.

Department of the Interior

Senior Advisor (Tribal Relations), Office of the Secretary, Arlington, VA. Closes 1/4/2017.

Senior Advisor (Tribal Relations), Status Applicants. Closes 1/4/2017

Advisor for Tribal Relations, Office of the Secretary, Arlington, VA. Closes 1/5/2017.

Advisor for Tribal Relations, Status Applicants. Closes 1/5/2017.

Department of Justice

Grants Management Specialist (Senior Tribal Policy Advisor), Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Washington D.C.

Michigan Indian Legal Services

Summer Legal Interns, Traverse City, Southwest Michigan, and Sault Ste. Marie.

Friday Job Announcements

Job vacancies are posted on Friday. Some announcements might still appear throughout the week. If you would like your Indian law job posted on Turtle Talk, please email indigenous@law.msu.edu.

Department of the Interior

Attorney-Advisor, Office of the Solicitor, Division of General Law, Employment and Labor Law Unit, Washington D.C. (Closes 9/26/16)

Department of Justice

Law Student Volunteers, The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Michigan is currently recruiting 4 Student Volunteers for Winter/Spring 2017. This is a volunteer (unpaid) position and is intended to last for one semester in Detroit. Closes Monday, October 3, 2016.

Gila River Indian Community

Protective Services Attorney, Office of General Counsel. Closes 9/30/16

Supervising Protective Services Attorney, Office of General Counsel. Closes 9/30/16

California Indian Legal Services

Senior Staff Attorney, Eureka office.

CTAS Solicitation Period Open

Link to the DOJ announcement here.

Link to 2015 award post here.

Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation is the award process Tribes can submit proposals to “support public safety, victim services and crime prevention improvements.”  Tribes have until Tuesday, February 23, 2016 at 9PM EST.