Havasupai Tribe
Havasupai Tribal Court
Job Announcement
Position: Chief Judge
Salary: Based on Experience
Supervision: The Chief Judge works under the general supervision of the Chairperson and Havasupai Tribal Council.
Closing: Open until Filled
Summary: The Chief Judge shall hear all criminal, civil, domestic relations, probate, and juvenile matters and all other matters over which jurisdiction is vested in the Havasupai Tribal Court by the Tribal Council.
Responsibilities: Essential functions include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. This list of tasks is illustrative and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by the Chief Judge.
– Preside over and determine criminal, civil, domestic relations, probate, civil regulatory, ICWA, and juvenile matters and all other matters over which jurisdiction is vested in the Havasupai Tribal Court by the Tribal Council.
– Perform legal research, interpret law, and apply the applicable law to the facts of the case
– Issue search and seizure warrants, arrest warrants, and orders of protection and conduct arraignments at various hours of day or night
– Administer the overall function and operation of the Tribal Court
– Ensure financial accountability regarding collection of all court fines/fees and the Tribal Court budget
– Supervise associate judges and court staff, including the establishment of work procedures to insure a smooth and efficient operation of the court
– Recommend to the Tribal Council the enactment or amendment of rules of procedure and policy for the Tribal Court
– Conduct, maintain, and provide training for Tribal Courts judges and court staff and attend self-development training sessions as necessary or requested by the Tribal Council
– Performs other duties as assigned
Qualifications: The ideal candidate for this position will possess the following qualifications.
– Have a juris doctor from an ABA accredited law school
– Be a member in good standing of the bar of any state or federal court
– Have experience as a tribal judge exercising both civil and criminal jurisdiction
– Have considerable knowledge of Federal Indian law, of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and of Evidence, and of Arizona law
– Demonstrate the ability to analyze difficult and complex facts and issues and to issue clear oral and written decisions based on application of the facts and issues to the applicable law
– Be familiar with alternative sentencing and restorative justice
– Demonstrate judicial knowledge and temperament
– Demonstrate knowledge of docket management skills, courtroom management skills and case management skills.
– Demonstrate knowledge of basic principles of management/supervision/administration, personnel management, bookkeeping, record keeping, case and cash management
Candidates must be at least 25 years of age. Candidates may not have any felony conviction or serious misdemeanor conviction. Candidates must submit to and pass a pre-employment background check and drug screen, including FBI criminal history background check. Candidates must not be a Tribal Council Member or the holder of any other elected office of the Havasupai Tribe. A candidate who is a member of the Tribal Council or holds other elected office may be confirmed as Chief Judge subject to his or her resignation.
For persons who meet the above minimum qualifications preference will be given, in the following order, to enrolled members of the Havasupai Tribe, enrolled members of a federally recognized Indian tribe.
Term: Two Years
Application: Please submit a cover letter, resume and writing sample of at least three pages to:
The Havasupai Tribal Council
P.O. Box 10
Supai, Arizona 86435
POSTED: February 10, 2011
(Applicants will be reviewed after a month of the postings)
