Job Opportunity – Attorney

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JOB TITLE: ATTORNEY

LOCATION: Wild Horse Pass Development Authority (WHPDA)

Administration Office

COMPENSATON: $113,229 – $154,249, annually depending upon experience.

HOURS OF WORK: Minimum 40 hours per week; may include attending evening and weekend meetings.

REPORTS TO: General Manager

OVERVIEW: As directed by the General Manager and the Board of Directors, perform legal work and represent the interests of WHPDA and WHPDA business enterprises in Community, Federal and State Courts / Administrative Adjudicatory Proceedings. Negotiate and prepare real estate leases, design and construction contracts and management agreements. Draft organization documents and policies and procedures. Review and prepare business and employment contracts. Provide analysis and counsel on legal and policy issues. Anticipate and guard against legal risks facing the organization and WHPDA business enterprises. Develop and make recommendations to the General Manager and the Board of Directors on policy and legal issues. May direct the work of subordinate staff.

The Attorney’s duties and responsibilities include legal work for and the representation of business enterprises under WHPDA’s management and oversight. The WHPDA business enterprises include: Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa, Whirlwind Golf Course, Rawhide Western Town & Steakhouse, Four Points Hotel by Sheraton Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Hotel; Toka Sticks Service Station, Komatke Service Station, Wild Horse Pass Service Station, Sacaton Service Station, Casa Blanca Service Station, Gila River Displays, and other future business enterprises placed under WHPDA’s management and oversight

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  •  Advises WHPDA on real estate leasing activities and represents WHPDA in all real estate negotiations; preparation of real estate leases and related documents; and processing leases for federal and Gila River Indian Community (“Community”) approval.
  •  Assists in negotiations and prepares design and construction contracts for projects up to $20,000,000 in size.
  •  Assists in negotiations and prepares management agreements for the operation of all assigned WHPDA businesses.
  •  Provides analysis and counsel on legal and policy compliance matters.
  •  Advises WHPDA on general business law and employment law issues.
  •     Represents WHPDA or its officials and employees in issues arising from actual or anticipated lawsuits.
  •  Anticipate and guard against legal risks facing the organization.
  •  Develop and make recommendations on policy and legal issues.
  •  Conduct and coordinate research into a variety of legal issues and proceedings.
  •  Prepare legal pleadings, motions, discovery, stipulations, etc.
  •  Write, review, and edit resolutions, forms, reports, opinions, correspondence, articles, and other documents.
  •  Write and administer complex vendor, client and employment contracts; negotiate terms and conditions.
  •  Represents WHPDA before the Community Council and Community Council Standing Committees with jurisdiction over WHPDA.
  •  Works in cooperation with the Community’s Office of General Counsel.
  •  Performs all other duties as assigned by the General Manager or Board of Directors, at regular or special meetings.

JOB SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

  •  Extensive knowledge and experience in the practice of Federal Indian law
  •  Knowledge and experience in applicable Federal and Arizona law.
  •  Experience in the application of general business law and real estate transaction law.
  •  Expert ability to analyze policy, regulation and case law and provide recommendations.
  •  Experience representing Federal Indian tribes or tribal entities.
  •  Familiarity with, and knowledge of, the Gila River Indian Community, its governmental agencies and departments.
  •  Knowledge and experience in all legal aspects of design and construction work.
  •  Exhibit a high level of professionalism; lead with diplomacy and tact.
  •  General knowledge of civil trial practice.
  •  Demonstrate a high level of attention to detail.
  •  Knowledge of data gathering and summarization methods and techniques.
  •  Intermediate math skills: ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent, and to draw and interpret graphs. Ability to compute and calculate figures such as discounts and commissions.
  •  Required Language Skills: ability to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries and complaints. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups and/or boards of directors.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

Minimum Education & Experience

  • Bachelor’s Degree and Juris Doctor from an accredited university/law school and five (5) years of experience in the practice of law.
  •  Current membership in the Arizona State Bar as an attorney qualified to practice law in the state.
  •  Prefer candidate who has experience providing legal services to a wide variety of businesses and has experience working with Native American businesses.

COMPUTER SKILLS:

Proficient in the use of Microsoft Word; Microsoft Excel; Microsoft Outlook; Internet Explorer.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Employee must be in a physical condition adequate to meet the physical and emotional demands of the assigned duties. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Must acknowledge and agree to maintain a Drug-free Work Place as a condition of employment.

Preference in filling vacancies is given to qualified Indian candidates in accordance with the Indian Preference Act (Title 25, US Code, Section 472 and 473). Preference is given to qualified members of the Gila River Indian Community.

The Gila River Indian Community is also committed to achieving the full and equal opportunity without discrimination because of Race, Religion, Color, Sex, National Origin, Politics, Marital Status, Physical Handicap, Age or Sexual Orientation. In other than the above, the Gila River Indian Community is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Questions with Contact
Niki Ramirez (520) 796-5389
careers@wildhorsepass.com

Submit Resume and Cover Letter to:
Human Resources
5700 West North Loop Road Chandler, Arizona 85226