Job opportunity: Chief Judge

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DEPARTMENT: Tribal Court

REPORTS TO: General Manager (for administrative purposes only)

DEFINITION/PURPOSE:
Direct and supervise overall operation of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Tribal Court. Presides over criminal, civil and juvenile cases. Performs duties require the individual to exercise considerable independent judgement in managing the docket, ruling on motions and adjudicatory cases, conduct hearing and decide cases in a fair and impartial manner to the end of administering justice and maintaining the order of law.
The Chief Judge is responsible for fairly and impartially hearing and deciding judicial matters within the jurisdiction of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Tribal Court pursuant the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Constitution, laws, ordinances and regulations, and applicable federal laws.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Essential functions may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. This list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.

TASKS:
Oversees all non-judicial administrative operational functions of the Tribal Court; plans, directs and supervises court staff; establishes overall operating policies and procedures; identifies and implements training programs for judicial and non-judicial court staff; provides general direction to other Tribal Court Judges in administrative matters; represents the Tribal Court within and outside of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation.

Presides over civil, criminal, traffic, juvenile, probate and other cases; provides and oversees an impartial forum for settling matters in dispute; examines and rules on evidence to determine strength and relevancy to charges; impartially rules on matters before the Court; presides over evidentiary hearings; presides over jury and non-jury trials; issues search and arrests warrants at various hours of the day or night; issues court orders/rulings; performs legal research; interprets law, ordinances, case law and applies to the facts of the case; provides direction and oversight to jurors; reviews and signs court documents.
Serves as an Appellate Judge when the conditions of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Tribal Code are met; delegates certain non-judicial administrative responsibilities to other Tribal Court staff.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

  • Thorough knowledge of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Constitution, Law and Order Code, laws and rules;
  • Knowledge and understanding of the history and culture of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation and the Yavapai people
  • Knowledge of Federal, State and Tribal statutes, ordinances, codes and ordinances;
  • Knowledge of Tribal Case Law, Federal Rules of Evidence, and court procedures;
  • Knowledge of judicial protocol, proceedings, practices and techniques that may be required at times outside normal business hours or days;
  • Knowledge of legal research including electronic research systems;
  • Knowledge of basic principles of management/supervision/administration, -personnel management, bookkeeping, record keeping, case
  • management;
  • Knowledge of principles and practices of judicial administration, program planning and development of employee supervision and training;
  • Skill in interpreting and applying complex laws, statutes, ordinances, rules to the facts and evidence presented;
  • Skill in drafting and/or reviewing and approving complex court orders;
  • Skill in listening and deciding cases and perform judicial duties in fair and impartial matter while upholding the integrity and independence of the judiciary
  • Skill in effectively and efficiently managing a high case load consisting of a variety of case types;
  • Skill in establishing and maintaining effective and cooperative working relationships with other departments of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation while also maintaining the impartial role of the Tribal Court;
  • Skill in regulating extra-judicial activities to minimize the risk of neglecting or creating a conflict with judicial duties;
  • Skill in effectively communicating, both orally and in writing, with other members of the judiciary, other governmental entities, parties before the Court and the general public; and
  • All other necessary duties associated with the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Tribal Court


MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION (established by Article VII, Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Constitution):
1) At least thirty (30) years of age; 2) Must be a law school graduate; 3) Juris Doctor 3) Possess a minimum of three years experience as a judge, practicing attorney or advocate; 5) Must have no felony convictions and no serious misdemeanor criminal convictions within the past five years; 6) Must submit to and pass a FBI criminal history background check; 7)Must successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen; 8) Must have a current Arizona driver’s license; and 9) Must meet FMYN insurance standards.

POSITION STATUS: Regular, Full-time

PAYRATE: DOE

OPEN DATE: November 4, 2024 CLOSE DATE: Open Until Filled

SUBMIT APPLICATION TO:

Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation
Human Resource Department
Attn: Recruiter
P O Box 17779
Fountain Hills, AZ 85269
Phone: 480-789-7138
Fax: 480-816-9524
Email: recruiter@ftmcdowell.org

INDIAN PREFERENCE:
Preference will be given to qualified applicants who are members of federally recognized Indian tribes.
To be considered for Indian Preference, you must submit your Certificate of Indian Blood (CIB) with your application.

WILL REQUIRE TO PASS A PRE-EMPLOYMENT DRUG SCREEN AND COMPLETE A BACKGROUND CHECK WHICH MAY REQUIRE FINGERPRINTING