Courtesy Juvenile Judge

Yakama Nation Legends Casino; Toppenish (WA); On-site; USD 69,000 - 124,000; Full time

Job summary

Yakama Nation invites applications for Juvenile Judge in the Yakama Nation Children's Court. You will preside, hear, and adjudicate dependency, neglect, abuse, and delinquency cases, ensuring due process and safeguarding the health, safety, and welfare of Indian children through timely determinations.

You may be assigned Appellate, Criminal, or Civil cases. The role requires strong legal research, excellent communication, and the ability to work under stress while maintaining judicial demeanor.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of Yakama Nation laws, rules, regulations and ordinances.
• Ability to perform complex legal research and render timely, fair decisions.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of organizational structure and tribal directives.
• Ability to maintain professional relationships under stress.
• Ability to follow policy and procedures.
• Ability to establish judicial demeanor and independence.

Responsibilities

• Preside, hear, and adjudicate dependency, neglect, abuse, and delinquency cases.
• Ensure Due Process and protect health, safety, and welfare of Indian children.
• Issue writs, orders, decrees, judgments and memos as needed.
• May be assigned Appellate, Criminal, or Civil cases.

Skills

Laws and regulations knowledge

Legal research

Oral and written communication

Organization knowledge

Interpersonal relations

Judicial demeanor

Policy adherence

Decision making under pressure

Collaboration with Chief Judge

Education

Law School graduate

Bachelor's degree encouraged

12 years education or GED

Job description

Department of Justice Services

Hourly Wage: $DOQ/RFT/Four-Year Appointment

Announcement #

Courtesy

Issue Date: 10-13-26

Closing Date: 11-02-26

Juvenile Judge, Children's Court

Responsible to preside, hear, and adjudicate dependency, neglect, abuse, and delinquency cases filed in the Yakama Nation Children's Court and scheduled on the docket/calendar. Ensures that procedural and substantive Due Process is provided in all cases and that the health, safety and welfare of all Indian children are secured through a legal determination. Responsible for the proper and prompt disposal of Children's Court cases. The Incumbent will issue any writ, order, decree, judgment, opinions, or legal memorandums necessary and proper to the complete exercise of their powers as prescribed in the RYC.

The Juvenile Judge may be assigned Appellate, Criminal, or Civil cases.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge and ability to apply laws, rules, regulations and ordinances of the Yakama Nation along with applicable Federal Law. Must have knowledge of the customs, traditions and tribal laws of the Yakama Nation.
• Ability to perform and comprehend complex legal research of case law/traditional law and render decisions fairly, timely and consistently.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills required; interpreting laws and findings of the Court.
• Knowledge of the Yakama Nation's organizational structure, channels of communication, and standard operating manuals and tribal directives.
• Skills in dealing with persons of conflict and interpersonal relations if the court and other professional practicing law before the court.
• Ability to work within established policies, rules, and procedures.
• Ability to make independent, decisive action by weighing all of the facts presented and renders a clear, swift, fair and impartial decision.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships while working under stressful, fast-paced conditions.
• Ability to follow the prescribed organization chart with lines of authority as approved by the Law & Order Committee or Tribal Council. Receives instruction of a broad judicial nature with overall plans and program objectives authorized through channels established by the Tribal Council.
• Ability to establish and maintain judicial demeanor.
• Ability to apply legal research.
• Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with the Chief Judge, colleagues, court staff, tribal programs, tribal employees, public agencies and tribal, state and federal law enforcement.
• Ability to demonstrate good people skills with child, parent, custodian, public agencies, friends of the Court, Attorneys, Court personnel and other judges. Must be open minded, good listening skills and make logical, expedited and fair decisions based upon the law, facts, procedures, rules and circumstances.
• Ability to work under stressful conditions, demonstrates good morals and temperate habits.
• Knowledge of the Yakama Law & Order Code, state and federal laws, including the Indian Child Welfare Act and the Indian Civil Rights Act as they apply on the Yakama reservation to Juveniles.
• Knowledge of legal practices and standards in the Yakama Nation Children's Court, Adult Court, And Court of Appeals.

Supervision Received

The Juvenile Judge is supervised by the Chief Judge, who is responsible for ensuring proper discharge of judicial responsibilities including prompt disposition of matters before them. Judges are required to comply with applicable judicial conduct expectations of the RYC, including T-049-26 (YN Code of Judicial Conduct-Complaint Process), Oath of Office, and any subsequent rules or policies established by the Yakama government leadership.

Judge of the Yakama Tribal Judiciary are compensated at a rate determined by the Yakama Tribal Council, per RYC 2.02-01(4).

Supervision Exercised

The Juvenile Judge may be delegated authority to supervise fellow Judges at the request of the Chief Judge.

General Recruiting Indicators

• Membership or an enrollment in the Yakama Nation, or in any Indian Nation within the United States.
• Never been convicted of a felony.
• Has not been convicted of a misdemeanor within one year of appointment.
• Must have completed twelve years of education or GED
• Knowledge of customs, traditions, and laws of the Yakama Indian Nation.
• Candidates who have graduated from an accredited Law School, Graduate School, or with a Bachelor's Degree are encouraged to apply, although it is not required; otherwise. Legal or related work experience/education is highly desired.
• Must have excellent work attendance and writing skills.
• Must be of good moral character/temperance. Must possess high ethical and personal standards and is required to take an Oath of Office.
• Travel may be required.
• The judiciary is subject to the RYC. Judge positions are four-year appointments by Tribal Council Resolution.
• Candidates may be required to complete a writing exercise upon request.
• Pre-Appoint and random drug testing per T-121-22
• Must have good health based upon the nature of work and stress involved in decision-making process.
• Must have the ability to de-escalate volatile situations involving juveniles and their families.
• Judge positions are four-year appointments by the Yakama Tribal Council. Although judges are not subject to the YN Personnel Policy Manual, they are subject to the established budget, travel, property, and leave policies for accountability and audit purposes.