Nez Perce Tribe

Friday Job Announcements

Sarah M Donnelly

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.

Nez Perce Tribe

Public Defender, must be admitted to at least one state bar, be able to handle his or her own caseload, and be able to supervise a small staff, salary is $60,000/year with generous benefits and a low cost of living. Resumes and writing samples may be sent to Danielp@nezperce.org.

Deputy Public Defender, must be admitted to at least one state bar and be able to handle his or her own caseload, salary is $55,000/year with generous benefits and a low cost of living. Resumes and writing samples may be sent to Danielp@nezperce.org.

Yakama Nation

Assistant Tribal Prosecutor: Yakama Nation Human Resources will be accepting applications for the position through December 6, 2016.

Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe

Contract Attorney, Child Support Program, Tribal Court. The time commitment will be 15-20 hours per month.

Navajo Nation Washington Office

Government and Legislative Affairs Associate, closes 11/21/2016.

Navajo Nation Office of the Prosecutor

Attorney, Full time, Pay rate $65,249.60, Open until filled – Kayenta AZ
Attorney, Full time, Pay rate $65,249.60, Open until filled – Window Rock, AZ
Prosecutor, Full time, Pay rate $44,054.40, Open Until filled – Dilkon, AZ
Prosecutor, Full time, Pay rate $44,054.40, Open Until filled – Chinle, AZ
Prosecutor, Full time, Pay rate $44,054.40, Open Until filled – Shiprock, NM
Juvenile Presenting Officer, Pay rate $40,414.40, Open until filled – Kayenta, AZ
Juvenile Presenting Officer, Pay rate $40,414.40, Open until filled – Shiprock, NM

Links: Job vacancy announcements,  Navajo Nation employee application

Email applications to: apply@dpm.navajo-nsn.gov or fax to (928) 871-6976. Please CC gertrudelee@navajo-nsn.gov and jaimehigh@navajo-nsn.gov.  Call 928-871-6622 for more information.

AmeriCorps VISTA

Volunteer, NativeLove and National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center are hiring for a paid AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer for next year located at main office in Lame Deer, Montana!  Great for recent college graduate. The VISTA member role is to build capacity of NIWRC by aiding in the development of educational resources for engaging local Native youth and youth organizations to create healthy dating and family strategies. Deadline is November 28th.

Staff Attorney Position with Nez Perce Tribe

Sarah M Donnelly

STAFF ATTORNEY with relevant experience with land, water rights, and personnel matters, preferably on behalf of Indian tribes or other governments.  The Office of Legal Counsel provides the full range of legal services to the Nez Perce Tribe (Tribe), in Lapwai, ID, and consists of 5 attorneys.  The ideal candidate will be comfortable handling litigation, transactional negotiations, project management, and strategic planning; be a team player, have sound judgement, accompanied by excellent research, writing and communications skills;  have the ability to analyze complex factual, legal, and policy issues; delve deeply into any area of law; and to respond to the wide array of legal issues that require prompt and accurate analysis on a day-to-day basis.  The Tribe offers an attractive compensation package, including medical and life insurance, 401(k) contribution, and a generous leave policy.

REQUIRED: JD degree, state bar member, 1 year legal practice, Idaho State Bar admission within 1 year of hire, valid driver’s license, insurable under the Tribe’s policy, provide 3 year motor vehicle report, pre-employment drug test.

A complete application includes: NPT application/resume: STAFF ATTORNEY HR-16-173, P.O. Box 365, Lapwai, ID 83540, by 4:30 pm., 8/19/16  (208) 843-7332  Tribal, Indian, Veteran preference applies. INCOMPLETE APPLICATION PACKETS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.  http://www.nezperce.org

Oregon CoA Affirms Illegal Hunting Conviction for Nez Perce Member

Sarah M Donnelly

Download decision here.

By using State v. Buchanon, 978 P.2d 1070 (Wash. 1999), the Oregon courts held that treaty hunting can only happen on traditional hunting grounds.  The bighorn sheep were taken on land south of the Powder River, which state witnesses testified was the Nez Perce Tribe’s southern border due to historical conflicts with the Northern Paiutes.

Defendant was charged in November 2008 after bringing the sheep to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife for tagging so they could be stuffed.

The case is State v. James Bronson, Jr., 586 P.3d 154 (Ore. Ct. of App. 2016).

 

Nez Perce Tribe Seeks Chief Judge

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Nez Perce Tribe seeks applicants for CHIEF JUDGE HR-15-122.  This 4-yr. contract position requires a wide range of legal and administrative skills, handling all phases of civil and criminal litigation, drafting orders, opinions, etc., and assuring effective operation of the Tribal Court.  Requires 3 yrs. experience as a judge, tribal court judicial experience preferred.  Requires thorough knowledge of Indian law, a Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school and membership in good standing in any state bar.  A complete application includes a NPT application including current resume and contact information for 4 work-related references including 2 judges.  Application form and information and full position announcement is at www.nezpercetribe.org. or contact Robert Kipp at 208-843-7332. Tribal preference applies.  Open until filled.

Nez Perce Tribe Department of Law & Justice seeks IN-HOUSE PUBLIC DEFENDER

Sarah M Donnelly

HR-16-102 full-time regular.

Applicant must provide evidence of a Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited college of law, and of active membership in good standing in a State Bar Association.  Must have at least one (1) year documented successful litigation experience, preferably in a Tribal Court.  Must have an understanding of Tribal, federal, and state law and the multijurisdictional issues which often arise in a Tribal Court.  Excellent legal research and writing skills required.  Salary DOE.   Includes generous health insurance and other benefits.

Submit resume listing contact information for at least three work-related references, and legal writing sample. Pre-employment drug testing required.  Applicant must possess a valid driver’ license with the ability to be insured under the Tribe’s policy. (If driver’s license is not issued by Idaho a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) from the issuing state is required with application.)  NPT application forms available online at www.nezperce.org or by contacting the Human Resources office. Tribal preference applies.

Thanks very much,
Alice Koskela
Law and Order Executive Officer
Nez Perce Tribe

Nez Perce Legal Assistant Position Announcement

Sarah M Donnelly

The Nez Perce Tribe Department of Legal Counsel is recruiting for:  

LEGAL ASSISTANT II  HR-15-186  full-time regular.  The position entails organizing legal files and records, drafting legal documents and correspondence, legal research, interviewing of witnesses and litigants, proof-reading, maintaining attorney time records and court schedules, and other administrative requirements of legal office. 

The position is with an eight (8) member legal office located in Lapwai, Idaho, and provides exceptional compensation and benefits, including generous leave time, 401 (k) program and match, family health insurance, and more. 

Requires Associate’s degree in legal field of study or three (3) years of legal work experience in a law firm can be substituted for one (1) year of college.  A Bachelor’s degree in a legal field of study is preferred.  Requires ten (10) years of experience working for a high volume law firm.  Experience working with Indian tribes or tribal organizations preferred.  Pre-employment drug testing required.  Applicant must possess a valid driver’s license with the ability to be insured under the Tribe’s policy.  (If your driver’s license is not issued from Idaho; a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) from the state your driver’s license is issued, is required with your application.)  

Must include a completed NPT application (available on www.nezperce.org).  Tribal preference applies.  INCOMPLETE APPLICATION PACKETS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.  Due Friday, December 18, 2015, by 4:30PM PST.

Mail to:

LEGAL ASSISTANT  HR-15-186
P.O. Box 365
Lapwai ID 83540-0365

Nez Perce Tribal Prosecutor Position Announcement

Sarah M Donnelly1 Comment

Nez Perce Tribe seeks Tribal Prosecutor to:

  • Represent the Tribe in all criminal and juvenile cases before Nez Perce Tribal Court, reviewing reports and charging cases, drafting written complaints, motions, proposed orders, legal briefs, jury instructions, sentencing recommendations, and other legal documents.
  • Work closely with the Tribal Police Department, Conservation Enforcement, Social Services, Probation, Domestic Violence Programs, and other tribal agencies in filing and prosecuting their cases in Tribal Court.
  • Supervise an office assistant, deputy prosecutor, and Child Support Enforcement attorney.

Requires at least two years (five preferred) of successful experience as a prosecutor or criminal defense attorney, preferably in a tribal government setting. Please provide a legal writing sample with application, and resume listing at least three work-related references. Must include a completed NPT application (available on www.nezperce.org). Applicant must possess a valid driver’s license with the ability to be insured under the Tribe’s policy; applicants who are not Idaho residents must provide their own Motor Vehicle Report.

Salary approximately $75K+ DOE/DOQ and includes generous health insurance and other benefits.  Call (208) 843-7332 for assistance. Applications to be accepted until position is filled. Tribal preference applies.  Incomplete application packets will not be considered.

Mail to:
TRIBAL PROSECUTOR HR-15-180
PO Box 365
Lapwai ID 83540-0365

Nez Perce Tribe Seeks Chief Judge

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

The Nez Perce Tribe Department of Law & Justice is recruiting for: CHIEF JUDGE HR-15-122 This position requires a wide range of legal, administrative, management and budgetary skills. The Chief Judge presides over the Tribal Court, and hears, or assigns to other Tribal Court Associate and Pro-Tem judges, all cases heard in the Tribal Court. The Chief Judge handles all phases of civil and criminal litigation, drafts orders, opinions, memoranda and other legal documents, and fulfills all other duties required of the Chief Judge to assure an effective and fair Tribal Court. In addition, the Chief Judge supervises Associate Judges, and the Court Administrator/Chief Clerk. Requires three (3) years’ experience as a judge, tribal court judicial experience preferred. More than five (5) years of tribal court Chief Judge experience and evidence of success in court administration, court staff supervision and court budget development is preferred. Applicants must demonstrate that they have a thorough knowledge of Indian law, the Nez Perce Tribal Code, and applicable federal law, including but not limited to the Tribal Law and Order Act and Violence Against Women Act. Must have a Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school and must be a member in good standing of a state bar. Please list contact information of at least four (4) work-related references, two of whom must be judges. Pre-employment drug testing required. Applicant must possess a valid driver’s license with the ability to be insured under the Tribe’s policy. This position closes open until filled. (Grade 28)

To apply: Recruitments for Entry Level Positions (Grade 15 and below) will require a completed Tribal application only. Recruitments for Professional Positions (Grade 16 and above) will require a completed Tribal application and resume. Please submit one application per position:

Nez Perce Tribe Human Resources Office
ATTN: Job Name & No.
P.O. Box 365
Lapwai, Idaho, 83540

Phone (208) 843-7332 Fax (208) 843-7414 LATE OR INCOMPLETE APPLICATION PACKETS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
Tribal Preference applies. www.nezperce.org  

Job Opening: Office of Legal Counsel for Nez Perce Tribe

Kate Fort

Staff Attorney position at the Lapwai, Idaho office. Announcement here.

Nez Perce Tribe Dues over Federal Mine Approval

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here is the complaint in Idaho Conservation League v. USFS (D. Idaho):

1 Complaint

An excerpt:

Plaintiffs Idaho Conservation League and Nez Perce Tribe challenge the U. S. Forest Service’s approval of the Golden Meadows Exploration Project (Project) for violations of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Project is a three-year mineral exploration project on the Payette and Boise National Forests in Valley County, Idaho, proposed by Canadian mining company Midas Gold, Inc. (MGI).