Water Rights Attorney Vacancy Announcment

The Navajo Nation Department of Justice – Water Rights Unit seeks two attorneys. Under the supervision of the Assistant Attorney General, attorneys in the Unit represent the Nation in multiple water rights adjudications pending in state and federal courts, and in state administrative water rights matters; engage in negotiations to resolve the Nation’s water rights claims by settlement; and perform work necessary both to secure approval of negotiated settlements at the tribal, state and federal level and to implement Congressionally-approved water rights settlements. Attorneys are assigned tasks commensurate with their level of experience.

Attorneys in the Water Rights Unit regularly brief and advise the Navajo Nation government, including the Attorney General, the Navajo Nation Water Rights Commission, the Navajo Nation Council and its Committees, the Office of the President and Vice President, and the Navajo Nation Washington Office on water rights matters. Attorneys also assist the Water Rights Commission in efforts to educate the Navajo public about water rights matters and work closely with the Nation’s technical staff in the Department of Water Resources. Attorneys may work on general Navajo Nation legal issues as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
– Juris Doctorate
– Current admission to practice in any state. Candidates not admitted to practice within the Navajo Nation, or to the state bar of one of the states in which the Nation is located (i.e., Arizona, New Mexico, or Utah) must secure such licenses within one (1) year of hire as a condition of continued employment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
– Juris Doctorate
– Experience in the fields of Indian Law and Water Law.

A successful applicant may be classified, depending upon experience, as an Attorney, Senior Attorney, or Principal Attorney, with a starting salary range between $63,356 and $106,225.60.  The Navajo Nation offers a generous benefits package. The Navajo Nation employment application form is available through the Navajo Nation Department of Personnel Management at www.nndpm.navajo-nsn.org.
Please submit your application, together with evidence of bar membership, law school transcript and a writing sample to Stanley Pollack, Assistant Attorney General, at smpollack@nndoj.org or by mail at P.O. Drawer 2010, Window Rock, Navajo Nation (AZ) 86515. Mr. Pollack may also be reached at 928.871.7510 should you have questions about this position.

The Navajo Nation Department of Justice complies with the Navajo Preference in Employment Act. The positions will remain open until filled.