Kevin Gover, will be featured on Native America Calling tomorrow, Tues. Jan. 12, talking about tribal consulations at 1 p.m. EST. Tune in!
www.nativeamericacalling.com
Monthly Archives: January 2010
Job: Indian Law Resource Center
Job Opening: Attorney position in the Center’s Washington DC office
January 4, 2010
Position Description and Criteria
The Indian Law Resource Center is now considering applications for an attorney position in the Washington , D.C. office. The attorney will provide legal assistance to Indian and Alaska Native nations, including Indian peoples in Mexico , Central and South America , in matters relating to indigenous rights, sovereignty and international human rights, environmental protection and the rights of Native women. The attorney will play a role in carrying out all of the legal programs of the Indian Law Resource Center .
In addition to legal work, the successful candidate will participate in policy analysis, fund raising, communications activities and other program work of the Center, and will assist in the general administrative tasks of the Center. The attorney will work under the supervision of the Executive Director and the Director of the Center’s Washington D.C. office and with the assistance of other Center attorneys and professional staff.
Substantial knowledge and experience in areas of Indian and Alaska Native affairs, federal Indian law, and indigenous legal issues are required. Federal litigation experience and an understanding of international fora are strongly preferred. Strong research and writing skills and the ability to travel are required. The ability to read and speak Spanish is strongly preferred. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Native Americans, women, and all others are encouraged to apply.
An applicant must be admitted to the bar in the United States or must be qualified for admission within a reasonable time. Salary for the position will depend on experience. Excellent benefits are provided.
About the Indian Law Resource Center
The Indian Law Resource Center is a non-profit law and advocacy organization established and directed by American Indians. We provide legal help without charge to indigenous nations in major cases involving indigenous rights, human rights, land claims, and environmental protection. The Center seeks to overcome problems affecting indigenous peoples by establishing national and international legal standards that uphold indigenous human rights and dignity, strengthen indigenous self-determination, and protect indigenous lands and resources. For further information about the Center, visit our website, www.indianlaw.org .
Interested attorneys may apply by sending a cover letter, resume, law school transcript, writing sample (exclusively your work), and list of three references to Marilyn Richardson at mt@indianlaw.org or by mail to
602 N. Ewing St., Helena , MT 59601
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.
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.
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.
Salt River RFP for Environmental Law
Request for Proposal (RFP) for Legal Assistance in the Area of Environmental Law for the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.
The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (“SRPMIC” or “Community”) is seeking proposals from attorneys licensed in Arizona. Applicants must have three or more years of substantive experience in environmental law, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Federal Insecticide Fungicide & Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), and other federal environmental laws. Prior experience working for or with an American Indian Tribe is desired. Applicant will supervised by the SRPMIC Office of the General Counsel.
BACKGROUND
The Community is located in Maricopa County and is bounded by the cities of Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa and Fountain Hills. The Community encompasses 52,600 acres, with 19,000 held as a natural preserve, and has 12,000 acres of active farmland. With two distinct backgrounds and cultures, the Community is comprised of two Native American tribes: the Pima, “Akimel O’Odham” (River People) and the Maricopa, “Xalychidom Piipaash” (People who live toward the water). Today, more than 9,000 individuals are enrolled tribal members.
The Community is constitutionally-organized under Section 16 of the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934. Comprised of the President, Vice President and seven elected Council members, the Community Council governs the Community.
SCOPE OF WORK
The Community seeks legal assistance in the following areas: 1) the review and revision of existing amendments to the proposed SRPMIC Pesticide Ordinance; 2) legal advice regarding the Clean Air Act, including treatment as a State (TAS), Minor New Source review, permitting and development of a Tribal Implementation Plan, knowledge of Tribal Authority Rule is needed; and 3) legal advice regarding the Clean Water Act, including treatment as a State, review and submittal of surface and ground water quality standards, nonpoint source and groundwater issues, stormwater and permitting.
SUBMITTAL FORMAT AND CONTENT
All respondents are required to follow the format specified below. Applicants shall base their submittals on the “Scope of Work.”
I. Cover Page. The Proposal shall include the Request for Proposal Title, submittal due date, and name, address, fax number, and telephone number.
II. Resume: Qualifications and Experience. This section will contain a description of the Applicant’s educational background, training, and experience in environmental law and working with American Indian tribes.
Applicant (and/or Applicant’s Team). Applicant will provide a list of individuals that would be assigned to this project and what their roles and responsibilities would be. In addition to the Applicant’s professional qualifications, experience and any other information pertaining to their ability to perform the duties shall be provided.
Past Experience. Applicant will discuss a list of at least two (2) representative projects, which are similar in scope and nature to the services requested by the Community. For each past project discussed, the Applicant shall specify the services contracted for, the start and completion dates, and the name, address and telephone number of a contact person.
Arizona Bar Admission. The respondent must be in good standing and licensed to practice law in the State of Arizona.
III. Conflicts of Interest. The respondent must disclose any potential conflicts of interest which might arise if they were to accept an award of a contract with the Community.
IV. Certification. The respondent will provide a certification that the statements contained in their proposal are true and correct to the best of their knowledge.
GENERAL CONDITIONS
Choice of Law. The contract regarding these services will be governed and construed in accordance with and pursuant to the laws of the SRPMIC.
Non-Binding. The Community retains the right to reject all submittals. Selection is also dependant on the negotiation of a mutually acceptable contract between the Applicant and the Community.
Consultant’s Responsibility. The consultant shall be responsible for obtaining a SPRMIC Business License and a SRPMIC Privilege Tax Permit prior to commencing work on the project and complying with the provisions of applicable SRPMIC ordinances and regulations.
Proprietary Information. Any restrictions on the use and ownership of the information contained within the Applicant’s response to this Request for Proposal must be clearly stated within the response. All other material contained in the proposal shall become property of the SRPMIC.
V. Contract Price. During FY 2010, the SRPMIC has only $36,000 available to fund the environmental services requested above. Work will end when available funds are exhausted. Additional funds may become available in FY 2011.
SUBMITTAL SCHEDULE & PROCESS
The evaluation of submittals will follow the following schedule. Dates shown are subject to change.
Distribution/Advertisement: January 4, 2010 — January 25, 2010
Submittal Deadline: January 25, 2010 at 4 p.m. 3 　 　
Five (5) originals of the submittal must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. on January 25, 2010 to:
Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
Office of the General Counsel
Attn: Michael Shiel, General Counsel
10,005 E. Osborn Road
Scottsdale, Arizona 85256
Copies received by FAX shall not be deemed delivered or received.
SUBMITTAL EVALUATION CRITERIA
Representatives of the Community will review the responses to this RFP which meet the outlined requirements and are received before the designated closing date and time.
Evaluation Factor Score
Conformance to the specified RFP format & Organization and Presentation of the Content
5
Education, experience, and technical competence in the following: 1) Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, FIFRA and other federal environmental laws; 2) the type of services being requested in this RFP; and 3) record of performance, including reference checks and the strength of the credentials.
65
Knowledge and understanding of federal Indian law.
20
Competitive salary range based on experience and credentials.
5
Indian Preference.
5
Total Score
100
Indian Preference. In accordance with the SRPMIC Procurement Policy and Section 7(b) of the Indian Self Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 USC 250 (b)), SRPMIC shall give preference when awarding contracts in the following order:
A. Certified Community-owned businesses;
B. Certified Community Member-owned business or individual Community Members;
C. Other certified native American-owner businesses or individual Native Americans and
D. A firm or individual seeking certification as a Community Member-owned or Native American-owned business enterprise shall submit a completed application to the SRPMIC’s Purchasing Department.
Preference in the award of contracts shall be given to qualified Indian organizations and Indian-owned economic enterprises as defined in Section 3 of the Indian Financial Act of 1974 (25 USC 1452)