Job Posting – DBA Program Staff Attorney

DBA Program Staff Attorney

DNA-People’s Legal Services, Inc. is now seeking applications for a full-time staff attorney position, in support of the Diné Bí ts’íís báá Ah’jiteí (DBA) Program medical-legal partnership.  Diné Bí ts’íís báá Ah’jiteí is Navajo for “Program for the Health of the People”.  Known as DBA, the program provides free legal services to low-income Native American patients at Indian Health Service (IHS) facilities on the Navajo Nation.  

DNA People’s Legal Services is a non-profit legal aid organization founded on the Navajo Nation in 1967.  DNA is an acronym for Dinébe’iiná Náhiilna be Agha’diit’ahii, a Navajo phrase that means “attorneys who work for the revitalization of the people.”  We have ten office locations throughout the Four Corners region.  DNA focuses its services on low-income individuals, regardless of race or ethnicity, but our assistance reaches members of seven tribes — the Hualapai, Havasupai, Kaibab Paiute, Hopi, San Juan Southern Paiute, Jicarilla Apache, and the Navajo Nation.  DNA-People’s Legal Services partnered with the Navajo Area Indian Health Service to create the DBA Program in 2009.   

Job Description

The DBA Program staff attorney will provide direct legal services to low-income patients and family members at one or more health care facilities on the Navajo Nation.  Areas of legal advocacy will include public benefits, housing, special education, domestic violence, elder law, family law, and consumer law.  The staff attorney will be responsible for periodic trainings and presentations at medical facilities, as well as regular consultation with medical providers.  The staff attorney will work primarily from an office of DNA-People’s Legal Services.  The location for this job position is expected to be Tuba City, Arizona. The position is open immediately.

Job Requirements

  • Demonstrated commitment to public service;
  • Excellent communication skills;
  • Potential for creativity and innovation;
  • Strong writing and analytical skills;
  • Cross-cultural experience; 
  • Ability to travel through the surrounding region; 
  • Arizona bar membership, eligibility to waive into the Arizona bar, or ability to sit for the next Arizona bar exam;
  • Navajo Nation bar membership or eligibility to take the next Navajo bar exam;
  • Priority will be given to applicants who can start immediately.

Salary and Benefits

Salary is based on experience and will conform to DNA’s salary scale for legal aid attorneys.  Generous benefit package included.  Position is funded under a grant and will continue as funds are available.

Applications should include a cover letter, resume, writing sample (5 pages or less), and list of three references.  Please send application materials by e-mail to:

Matt VanWormer, Project Director

Diné Bí ts’íí báá Ah’jiteí (DBA) Program

DNA – People’s Legal Services, Inc.

P.O. Box 987; Shiprock, NM; 87420

Phone: (505) 368-3211; Fax: (505) 368-3212

mvan@dnalegalservices.org

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 DNA is an equal opportunity/ affirmative action employer.  Preference is given to qualified Navajo and other Native American applicants.