Tribal Prosecutor - Prosecutor's Office (Open Until Filled)

Ashiwi; New Mexico; On-site; USD 81,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

Ashiwi is seeking a Tribal Prosecutor to provide prosecution services for the Zuni Tribe across all classes of criminal offenses within the exterior boundary of the Zuni reservation. The role involves investigating and prosecuting cases, advising police, and representing the Tribe in Tribal Court, up to appeals, while upholding ethical standards.

The position reports to the Tribal Administrator and supervises a team of Victim Advocate Coordinators and legal staff.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from ABA-accredited law school with three years of criminal-case experience.
• Or a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice with five years’ experience in victim assistance, law enforcement, and/or court processes.
• New Mexico State Bar license or eligibility; valid NM driver's license and ability to pass background checks.

Responsibilities

• Prosecute criminal matters within tribal jurisdiction and present cases in Tribal Court.
• Advise police in investigations, case evaluation, and preparation of pleadings and warrants.
• Argue matters before Tribal Court at all levels, including appeals and post‑trial actions.
• Develop and implement prosecutions strategies and contribute to improving tribal justice systems.
• Maintain criminal files, review reports, and prepare investigative and routine court documents.
• Coordinate with tribal court, law enforcement, social services, and victims’ services to support cases.

Skills

Legal research

Oral and written communication

Court procedures

Evidence handling

Professional responsibility

Education

Juris Doctorate from ABA-accredited law school

Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice or related major

Job description

Tribal Prosecutor - Prosecutor's Office (Open Until Filled)

TRIBAL PROSECUTOR

FT/REGULAR

EXEMPT - LEVEL 15

SALARY: $39.19/HR

GENERAL DEFINITION: The primary responsibility of this position will be to provide prosecutor service for the Zuni Tribe in all classes of criminal offenses. Investigate and prosecute criminal matters and related legal issues of crimes that occurred within the exterior boundary of the Zuni reservation.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Work is performed under the direct supervision of the Tribal Administrator.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Supervises Victim Advocate Coordinator, Victim/Witness Advocate, Lay Advocate, and Legal Assistant.

DUTIES:

Performs all phases of prosecution over a wide range of criminal matter related issues.

• Exercise independent discretion in the prosecution of adult criminal offenses, juvenile delinquent or status offenses, and civil prosecution of child neglect, traffic offenses, fish and wildlife offences, exclusion matters, and other civil offences occurring within tribal jurisdiction.
• Advise the Zuni Police and Open Space Officers in investigation, evaluating evidence, case preparation and preparation of legal pleadings and ensure they are familiar with the relevant tribal codes including subpoenas, search warrants, and arrest warrants.
• Prepare written complaints, motions, proposed orders, legal briefs, jury instructions, sentence recommendations, and other legal papers; appear and argue matters before the Tribal Court at all levels of the proceedings, including pre‑trial, post‑trial, and appeal.
• Assist in improving the Tribe’s justice system, including development of codes and court rules, participation in meetings and training, preparation and implementation of grants.
• Present and prosecute all criminal complaints in Tribal Court.
• Ensure that police execute Court orders, documents, services of process and other legal requirements.
• Supervise the gathering of evidence by Tribal law enforcement officers to ensure that each case is promptly and fairly presented.
  • Initiate and/or assist in training tribal police officers in criminal and court procedures.
• Provide legal services for the Police Department, to assist Social Services and other tribal departments in filing through tribal court and other legal processes.
• Develop protocol for compiling chain of custody of evidence and legal review of cases.
• Develop legal strategy for prosecutorial process.
• Represent the interests of the Pueblo of Zuni in prosecuting individuals charged with violating Zuni Codes.
• Abide by the ethical code of conduct.

Provides management for individual cases in coordination with other service providers and POZ Public Safety programs.

• Review police reports and charging documents for probable cause. Recommend prosecution or dismissal of cases and present appropriate plea agreements to the court and recommend appropriate sentences to the court for convicted offenders.
• Conduct all stages of trial in prosecution of criminal offences.
• Prepare and argue or respond to appeals of criminal convictions before Tribal court of Appeals.
• Interact and coordinate individual case efforts with tribal court, law enforcement, social services and other support services available to victims and their families.
• Compile credible and cogent evidence and conduct necessary interviews of witnesses to assist in court presentation.
• Develop individual case legal strategies and present cases in court.
• Maintain criminal files.
• Prepare investigative and routine reports.
• Conduct periodic case reviews.

Provide management of prosecutor’s office and prosecution process.

• Interact and coordinate program efforts, as appropriate, with tribal court, law enforcement, social services, and other support services available to victims and their families and with other governmental entities.
• Develop general legal strategy for presentation of criminal cases in court.
• Maintains prosecutor cuff accounts in support of Tribal Administration budget and accounting
• Review, monitors, and develops applicable procedures and policies guiding the prosecutorial process.

Provides Technical and legal guidance to POZ on prosecutorial matters.

• Provide training to tribal programs and other service providers to effectively prosecute cases in court.
• Comprehend and comply with tribal, federal, state, county and other regulatory agency laws, and regulations pertaining to prosecution.
• Assist in the review and revision of applicable procedures pertaining to criminal case prosecution.
• Other duties as assigned by the Tribal Administrator.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of Tribal and Federal court systems and of state, federal and Tribal statutes, rules, regulations, and codes. Knowledge of tribal, federal, and state criminal law and procedure and Indian Law as it relates to criminal jurisdiction. Knowledge of, and compliance with, the Code of Ethics and Rule of Professional Responsibility of the New Mexico State Bar. Knowledge of principles, practices, and methods of legal research. Knowledge of judicial procedures and rules of evidence. Knowledge of court processes, administrative law processes, and legal terminology. Knowledge of legal strategies, their development and presentation. Skill in oral and written communication. Must be able to compile and analyze legal data. Skill in records analysis. Skill in operating a personal computer, in use of software application, and in conducting internet searches. Skill in establishing, maintaining, and improving cooperative working relationships. Ability to display a high degree of professionalism while keeping difficult situations in proper perspective. Ability to plan, coordinate, and implement training. Ability to write reports and to complete forms that may be required. Ability to understand and be sensitive to Zuni culture and tradition. Must be of high moral character and integrity. Ability to follow instructions. Ability to maintain good working relationships with tribal employees, tribal court, law enforcement, and the general public.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE: Juris Doctorate from an American Bar Association accredited law school with three (3) years of experience handling criminal cases. OR Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice or related major with five (5) years experience in victim assistance, law enforcement, and/or court processes preferred. Experience working with and in tribal courts in the United States and/or Indian Law.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATES: Must have a valid New Mexico Driver’s License with no DUI/DWI convictions within the past three (3) years. Driving is not an essential part of the duties.

• New Mexico State Bar Licensed or eligible.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work is sedentary. Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to do the work. However, there may be some walking, standing, bending, carrying of light items, driving an automobile, etc. No special physical demands are required to perform the work. Regular exposure to favorable conditions such as those found in a normal office.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS: Position is subject to Pre‑Employment drug testing. Position is Safety Sensitive and will be subject to random drug screening for duration of employment. Must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation including FBI Fingerprint Check. Must have own transportation. Must be able to handle stressful situations and provide effective client service. Must uphold all principles of confidentiality to the fullest extent.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled and veterans.