Tribal Prosecutor

Douglas County (NV); Nevada; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California seeks a Tribal Prosecutor to handle criminal and juvenile matters, and provide legal services for social services and the Healing to Wellness Drug Court. This role requires strong trial experience, tribal law knowledge, and professional discretion in negotiations.

The Prosecutor will work with police, social services, and the Tribe’s legal department, conducting witness interviews, drafting orders, and presenting cases in tribal court.

Qualifications

• Licensed to practice law and in good standing with a state bar; JD required.
• At least two years of full-time legal counsel experience in a court setting.
• Minimum one year of trial work as prosecutor or district attorney.
• Valid Nevada or California driver’s license or able to obtain within 30 days.
• Ability to pass pre-employment drug/alcohol screen and background check.
• Must not have criminal convictions involving moral turpitude.

Responsibilities

• Review and investigate cases, police reports, and reports from Tribal agencies; sign charges when prosecutable.
• Prepare and present cases for prosecution in Washoe Tribal Court.
• Advise police officers, probation officers, social workers on investigations.
• Represent the Department of Social Services in court on emergency removals and petitions.
• Meet with defense attorneys and witnesses to discuss case resolution.
• Conduct interviews of witnesses to prepare prosecution.
• Make charging and filing decisions; negotiate settlements when appropriate.
• Represent the Tribe in criminal trials, juvenile fact-findings, and Inter-Tribal Court of Appeals cases.
• Draft court orders with accurate case information and sentencing details.
• Perform other duties as required.

Skills

Prosecuting practices

Tribal codes

Court procedures

Microsoft Word / Email / Calendar

Interagency collaboration

Plea negotiations

Native American law

Tribal government procedures

Professional relationships

Legal interpretation

Legal drafting

Education

Juris Doctorate

Tools

Microsoft Word

Job description

Position Summary

Under direct supervision of the Washoe General Counsel, the Tribal Prosecutor is responsible for all prosecutor duties related to adult criminal and juvenile delinquency matters, attorney services for the department of Social Services, and attorney services for the Healing to Wellness Drug Court for the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California. Maintains confidentiality of all privileged information.

• Reviews and investigates cases, police reports, and all other applicable reports from Tribal agencies involving violations of the Washoe Tribal Law & Order Code, signing charges when case is prosecutable.
• Prepares and presents cases for prosecution and adjudication in the Washoe Tribal Court.
• Confers with and provides legal advice to police officers and probation officers engaged in the investigation of criminal and/or delinquent activity.
• Confers with and provides legal advice to social workers engaged in the investigation of child in need of protection matters.
• Reviews social service reports, police reports and all other applicable reports to determine whether a child/family protection petition should be filed.
• Represents the department of social services in court on all emergency removal and child/family protection petition matters.
• Meets with defense attorneys, advocates, pro se parties and other representatives to discuss resolution of cases.
• Meets in person and by phone to conduct interviews of witnesses, including police officers, to prepare an effective prosecution of each case.
• Exercises professional judgment in making charging decisions and filing criminal complaints and/or juvenile delinquency petitions.
• Exercises professional discretion in negotiating settlements of cases when appropriate.
• Represents the Tribe in criminal trials or juvenile fact-findings, and all Inter-Tribal Court of Appeals cases involving criminal appeals.
• Makes sentencing recommendations and disposition recommendations to the court.
• Drafts orders for the court following court hearings. The Court Orders are to be properly written with accurate information including case name, defendant name, theaccurate time of incarceration (including start dates for intake at the jail and the release dates) and other relevant information with clear delineation between the total sentence, time to be spent in jail and credit given for time served.
• Performs other duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be licensed to practice law in good standing with a state bar association and possess a Juris Doctorate.
• Experience equivalent to two years of full time work providing legal counsel in a court setting.
• At least one year of trial work either as a prosecutor or district attorney.
• Must possess and maintain a valid California or Nevada driver’s license or capable of obtaining one within thirty-days (30) of employment.
• Must be able to be insurable by the Tribe’s Driving Policy.
• Must not have any criminal or misdemeanor convictions, which involve a crime of moral turpitude.
• Must be able to successfully pass a pre-employment drug/alcohol screen and background investigation.

Knowledge, Abilities, Skills, and Certifications

• Knowledge of and skill in the practices, procedures, and techniques for effectively prosecuting violations in the Tribal Court of the Washoe Tribe.
• Knowledge of the Washoe Tribal Law & Order Codes/Ordinances.
• Experience with modern court practices and procedures, and rules of evidence and criminal procedures.
• Advanced ability to use Microsoft Word and electronic mail and calendaring software.
• Maintains easily accessible cloud-based file system for each case.
• Ability to work with judges, court clerks, law enforcement, probation, social services, Bureau of Indian Affairs staff, the Tribe’s legal department, and other court staff in a professional manner.
• Skill in negotiating plea agreements.
• Proper hygiene and dress appropriate to a court official.
• Required to be available in emergency situations for the issuance of warrants and emergency orders.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, ordinances and requirements.
• Knowledge of business writing, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and basic arithmetic.
• Knowledge of federal laws and regulations pertaining to Native Americans and Tribal organizations.
• Knowledge of Tribal governments and criminal and civil procedures.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds and with co-workers at all levels.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and negotiate legal actions.
• Ability to interpret applicable federal, state, county and local laws, regulations, and requirements.
• Skill in the preparation and trial of legal cases and corresponding documents.
• Skill in supervising assigned staff.
• Skill in operating business computers, including various database, spreadsheet, and word-processing programs.
• Skill in gathering, analyzing, and organizing information.
• Skill in preparing, reviewing, analyzing and interpreting complex legal documents and publications.
• Skill in working effectively under pressure.
• Ability to communicate efficiently and effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and meet strict timelines.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk. The employee occasionally is required to stand; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment

Work is generally performed in an office setting with a moderate noise level.

The Washoe Tribe of Nevada & California requires a background check of each new hire for employment purposes. Therefore, all conditionally offered positions will be subject to the following:

• Negative alcohol and drug screen
• Meet requirements of Public Law 101-630
• Obtain or possess a valid driver’s license for either the state of Nevada or California within 30 days

Must be insurable under the Washoe Tribe’s driving policy