Tribal Attorney

Nooksack Indian Tribe; Deming (WA); On-site; USD 84,157 - 103,485; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability (short & long-term)

401(k) with employer match

Paid leave and holidays

Job summary

Nooksack Indian Tribe seeks a Tribal Attorney to provide legal guidance to the Tribal Council and the Tribe’s governmental departments and entities.

The attorney will represent the Tribe in Tribal, State and Federal courts, draft and revise tribal laws, codes, and policies, and conduct strong legal research and writing.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from ABA-accredited law school.
• Active Washington State Bar Association membership required.
• Nooksack Tribal Court Bar membership or eligibility within 60 days of hire.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and representation to the Nooksack Tribal Council and tribal departments.
• Review, negotiate and draft contracts, resolutions, and legal documents.
• Maintain relationships with Tribal officials and community; manage caseload up to trial.
• Perform legal research, writing, and drafting memoranda, contracts and pleadings.
• Pursue ongoing CLE and training in Indian law and related areas.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Oral communication

Organization

Cross-cultural competency

Education

Juris Doctor (ABA-accredited)

Member in good standing of WA State Bar

Nooksack Tribal Court Bar membership or eligibility

Job description

JOB TITLE: Tribal Attorney

DEPARTMENT: Office of Tribal Attorney

REPORTS TO: Senior Tribal Attorney

STATUS: Full Time/Exempt

WAGE GRADE: O

Hourly Rate: $61.09 to $75.12

SALARY AND BENEFITS

• Competitive salary DOE, COLA and merit increases as approved.
• Employer Medical, Dental, Vision
• Basic Employee Life and Accidental Death and Disability – Equal to one year’s salary.
• Employer Paid Short and Long Term Disability
• 401(k) and up to 4% Employer Contribution Match
• Paid Leave: Annual, Sick, Bereavement, Cultural, Jury Duty
• Holidays and Closures: Approximately 24 holiday and administrative closures annually.

SUMMARY:

At the direction of the Senior Attorney, the Tribal Attorney provides legal advice to the Nooksack Tribal Council, the Nooksack Tribe’s governmental departments and its separate entities. The Tribal Attorney will represent the Nooksack Indian Tribe in matters brought in Tribal, State and Federal courts, code writing, administrative hearings and legal research and writing.

EDUCATION, LICENSING AND EXPERIENCE:

• A Juris Doctor from an ABA accredited law school.
• Member in good standing of the Washington State Bar Association and a member in good standing of the Nooksack Tribal Court Bar or obtain membership within sixty (60) days of date of hire.
• Qualified applicants must have at least three (3) years’ experience or demonstrated experience in one or more of the following subject matter areas: criminal law and prosecution preferred, civil procedure, trial practice; Indian Child Welfare Act; legal writing, drafting and negotiating contracts, drafting statutes policies and procedures, litigation, constitutional or business law; representing public private entities, natural resources tribal jurisdiction, gaming, taxation, and/or Federal Indian law.
• Must demonstrate excellent legal research, writing and oral communication skills.
• Ability to organize and maintain clear, concise, and accurate records, and follow office procedures.
• Experience in cross cultural working environments and cultural competency preferably with Federally recognized Indian tribes.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide legal advice and representation on a broad range of legal issues to the Nooksack Tribal Council, the Nooksack Tribe’s governmental departments and its separate entities.
• Review, negotiate and draft contracts, resolutions and other legal documents, including but not limited to revising the Tribal Constitution, codes, and policies.
• Maintain effective working relationships with Tribal officials, employees and the community.
• Manage case load, prepare cases up to and including trial in criminal and civil matters.
• Utilize best practice methods to perform legal research and writing in drafting memorandums, contracts and pleadings.
• Continue professional development, including continuing legal education and/or training in the areas of Indian law, criminal law, law enforcement, Indian Child Welfare Act, natural resources, and other issues relevant to job duties.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Senior Tribal Attorney.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Must pass alcohol/drug test(s) and criminal background check(s) at time of hire and throughout employment.
• Must have and maintain throughout employment a valid Washington State Driver’s License and meet the insurability requirements.
• Must pass all Nooksack Tribal hiring prerequisites.
• The standard work week is 8:30-5:00 Monday through Friday (occasionally may have to work evenings/weekends).
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for long periods.
• Manual dexterity to operate a keyboard, calculator, and telephone system.
• Ability to lift up to 20+ pounds without assistance.
• Read, write, speak and understand English.
• Be able to walk/drive between various office locations.
• Must be able to bend, reach, kneel, twist, and grip from assigned work areas.
• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication abilities to enable the employee to communicate effectively.
• Sufficient vision or other powers of observation to enable the employee to review a wide variety of materials in electronic or hard copy form.
• Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes to enable the employee to safely lift, move, or maneuver whatever may be necessary to successfully perform the duties of the position.
• Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes to enable the employee to efficiently function in a general office environment.

HOW TO APPLY:

• To apply you must complete the application, submit a cover letter, resume, and a writing sample. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.
• Apply through the Nooksack Indian Tribes Human Resources Department website at: https://nooksacktribe.org/departments/humanresources/.