JOBS: US Department of the Interior

The Office of the Solicitor, US Department of the Interior, is announcing the opening of the following positions in the Office of Solicitor. These positions will be open for applications until the end of January. Links to the application sites are provided below.

Because of our unique responsibilities to support the Department’s programs to benefit American Indians and Alaska Natives, Solicitor Hilary Tompkins strongly encourages Native American attorneys to apply.

We would greatly appreciate it if you could forward this announcement to your respective bar associations, law schools or other folks you know who might be interested in applying for these positions.

Director, Indian Trust Litigation Office (ITLO):

Manages litigation relating to the Department’s Indian Trust responsibilities, including all litigation related to Individual Indian Money accounts and Tribal Trust. The Director is responsible for programs and activities concerned with individual and tribal Indian trust matters, and the provision of legal services with respect to litigation initiated by or against the Federal Government or officials of the Department involving the Indian trust responsibilities of the United States. Coordinates and directs attorney and support staff participating in litigation on Indian trust matters before trial courts, appellate courts, and other tribunals. Prepares and/or provides guidance and direction in the preparation of appellate briefs and other pleadings. Reviews proposed opinions, rules, regulations, and decisions considered controversial or precedent setting; evaluates proposed or recommended legal strategies and principles; identifies significant underlying legal issues; analyzes the adequacy of the legal position; determines possible consequences of the action on current Secretarial and Administration policy; and, recommends approval or alternatives and when appropriate, exercises final authority for acceptance or non acceptance. Represents the Solicitor or Secretary on task forces, interdisciplinary groups, meetings, conferences, and various departmental committees.

ITLO Job Application

Supervisor-Attorney (Assistant Solicitor – General Indian Legal Activities):

The Branch of General Indian Legal Activities (GILA), handles legal issues related to gaming, self-determination, self-governance, education, social services, housing, economic development, judgment fund distributions, Indian roads, and other government programs and services provided to tribes and tribal members. Assistant Solicitor exercises a broad range of supervisory responsibilities over attorney-advisors assigned to the Branch. The Assistant Solicitor also provides key legal advice and counsel and manages litigation on matters related to the Branch’s assigned areas of responsibility.

Assistant Solicitor

Attorney-Advisor – Branch of Water & Power:

The Attorney-Advisor provides legal advice and counsel and manages litigation on matters related to the Department’s trust responsibility for the protection of Indian water resources. The Attorney-Advisor must be able to manage highly complex, sometimes controversial, water resource issues. In addition, the Attorney-Advisor develops and manages litigation strategy, prepares opinions, and provides counsel on regulations and proposed legislation concerning Indian water resources.

Attorney-Advisor

The United States overnment does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factor.