The Court of Appeals, Division I Judges are now accepting law clerk applications for the 2019-2020 term.  Details are available at:

http://www.azcourts.gov/Portals/89/PDFs/JUDICIAL%20LAW%20CLERK%20APPLICATIONS%202019-2020.docx

San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe
Tuba City, AZ

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:
The Judge for the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribal Court is responsible for the fair and impartial administration of justice for all cases and controversies within the jurisdiction of the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe. The Tribal Judge shall administer all cases and controversies arising in law or equity under the Constitution of the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe, and may assign cases and other matters to lower courts of special jurisdiction, such as traditional dispute resolution, as the Tribal Council establishes in accordance with the Constitution.

Responsibilities will also include establishing and overseeing the administrative operations of the Tribal Court and providing assistance and recommendations to the Tribe to seek out and secure funding to support Tribal Court operations. Additional duties and responsibilities may include the development of Tribal Court rules of procedure, Tribal ordinances and Tribal codes for approval by the Tribal Council.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must possess a Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited law school.
• Must be a member in good standing of the bar of any state.
• Must have at least 3-years of experience or practice in the field of federal Indian law and have demonstrated experience with the concepts of Tribal law and the principles of Tribal sovereignty and jurisdiction.
• Must not have been convicted of a felony or a crime involving dishonesty or have been disbarred in any jurisdiction.
• Must be able to pass a thorough background investigation.
• Must be able to travel and hold hearings both in person in Tuba City, Arizona, and telephonically as necessary to efficiently and effectively administer justice.
• Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug screening.
• Must have a sincere interest in assisting the Tribe to develop its Tribal Court and administer justice in a fair and impartial manner.

Applicants may be asked to participate in an interview with the Tribal Council and General Counsel of the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe to establish whether he or she meets minimum qualifications, determine suitability for the position, and negotiate the terms and scope of work for the appointment.

To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, references and writing sample on or before to:

SAN JUAN SOUTHERN PAIUTE TRIBE
ATTN: Judicial Position
P.O. Box 2950
Tuba City, AZ 86045

With a copy to the Tribe’s General Counsel:
MONTGOMERY & INTERPRETER, PLC
ATTN: Robyn L. Interpreter, Esq.
3301 E. Thunderbird Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85032

To download full job description and application information, click here: SJSPT Tribal Judge Position Announcement

National Congress of American Indians
Washington, D.C.

ABOUT NCAI Founded in 1944, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) is the oldest, largest, and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization in the country. NCAI advocates on behalf of tribal governments and communities, promoting strong tribal-federal government-to-government policies. We promote a better understanding among the general public regarding American Indian and Alaska Native government, people, and rights.

ABOUT THIS POSITION
The National Congress of American Indians has an opening for a Staff Attorney in the Washington, DC office. Subject areas may include (but are not limited to): tribal sovereignty, the federal trust responsibility, tribal lands, environment and natural resources, public safety, tribal justice systems, juvenile justice, federal agency consultation, taxation, economic development, and other issues of importance to Indian tribal governments.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:
Minimum Qualifications

• JD degree
• Active Bar Membership and eligibility for DC Bar Admission.
• 2+ years of legal experience preferred but will consider candidates with varying levels of experience.
• Strong administrative and organizational skills.
• Ability to both take direction and work independently, taking initiative within areas of responsibility.
• Capacity to work under pressure, meet deadlines consistently, and handle multiple projects concurrently,
•  Knowledge of tribal communities.

APPLICATIONS:

Position will be located at NCAI’s Washington DC office.

Applicants should send their resume, a brief writing sample, three references, and a cover letter by email (preferred), or mail. By email: dbeetso@ncai.org or By mail: National Congress of American Indians, Attn: Derrick Beetso, 1516 P St, NW Washington, DC 20005

For full job description and application information, download pdf: NCAI Staff Attorney PD 2018 final

Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation
General Counsel

Job Purpose:
Serves as chief legal representative and advisor to the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation

Job Duties and Responsibilities:
(Note: Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted, or changed at the sole discretion of Sycuan Management at any time)

1. Provides timely and efficient legal services to officers, directors, employees, Tribal government, and Tribal business enterprises, including subordinate Tribal entities

2. Researches legal issues and provides legal analysis pertaining to Tribal Government policies, positions and actions in which legal considerations are necessary and advises the Tribal Council Accordingly

3. Provides legal consultation and guidance to officers, directors, management and staff on a wide range of issues including real property, tort, contract gaming, child

To download full job description, click the following link: General Counsel Job Description

National Congress of American Indians
Washington, DC

Position Name: Consultant/General Project Manager
Category: NCAI Internal OR External Consultant
Open Date: 2018-02-07
Close Date: 2018-02-28
Organization: National Congress of American Indians
Location: Washington, DC

ABOUT NCAI
Founded in 1944, the National Congress of American Indians is the oldest, largest, and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization in the country. NCAI advocates on behalf of tribal governments and communities, promoting strong tribal-federal government-to-government policies, and promoting a better understanding among the general public regarding American Indian and Alaska Native governments, people, and rights. For more information, visit the NCAI website at www.ncai.org.

ABOUT THIS POSITION
NCAI provides technical assistance to the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) Tribal/Interior Budget Council (TIBC). The mission of TIBC is: To provide a forum and process, consistent with the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, Section 450 a-1 and Executive Order #13175 and Department of the Interior’s Government-to-Government policy, whereby Tribes and the Department work together to develop policy and budgets that provide: 1) DOI to fulfill its Trust responsibilities and Treaty obligations; and 2) the fulfillment of Tribes’ inherent sovereign rights of self-determination, self-governance, and self-sufficiency, as well as securing levels of funding necessary to strengthen Tribal governmental capacity to serve their Tribal citizens and communities.

In 2017, TIBC commissioned an assessment of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Budget (BIA) Budget Formulation Process. The resulting report provides recommendations for ways TIBC and BIA could improve its budgeting process. To implement the report’s recommendations, the TIBC formed a Budget Process Improvement Workgroup. This Workgroup is seeking a General Project Manager or Consultant with the following skills, experience, and competencies who will meet the deliverables set out by the Workgroup in the laid out timeframe.

To download full job description, click the following PDF:
Consultant-General Project Manager 2018-02-07

Fort Mojave Indian Tribe

Chief Judge, Needles, C.A. Responsible for fairly and impartially hearing and deciding judicial matters within the jurisdiction of the Fort Mojave Tribal Court, and for the administrative operations of the Fort Mojave Tribal Court and supervises the Tribal Court and its employees, including case management and the timelines of decisions. Anyone interested would go to the www.fortmojave.com website, go to careers, and scroll down to fill out an application, or call the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe’s Human Resources Department at 760-629-6147 and we can fax or e-mail the application.

Reno-Sparks Indian Colony

Staff Attorney, Reno, N.V. Works under the direction and supervision of the Senior Staff Attorney to provide legal counsel and representation to the RSIC Tribal Chairman, Tribal Council and staff on legal and quasi-legal matters as directed by the Senior Staff Attorney. The entire application process including downloadable job application can be found here.

Department of Justice

AUSA, Criminal Division, District of Montana, Billings, M.T. Handles the prosecution of economic crime, public corruption, narcotic cases and Indian Country cases for the District of Montana.

Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians

Tribal Attorney, Oakhurst, C.A. Serves as an in-house legal advisor, representative, and counselor. Job application and job description can be located at www.chukchansitribe.net.

Department of Commerce

Attorney-Advisor, NOAA, Silver Spring, M.D. Provides legal advice to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) on protected resources actions, such as those developed pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), Federal Power Act and other protected resources statutes. Closes February 15, 2018.

Yakama Nation

Attorney II, Office of Public Defender, Toppenish, W.A. Serves as attorney for the Yakama Nation Public Defender Office and is responsible for providing professional legal representation and advice to Tribal member clients in Tribal, State and Federal Court systems or administrative agencies as assigned by the Lead Attorney Program Manager. Applications may be made to the Yakama Nation Human Resources Department at the Yakama Nation website. Now open until February 5, 2018. Previously posted in #57.

Comanche Nation

Associate District Judge (RFP), Lawton, O.K. Deadline for submission is February 7, 2018 at 4:00pm CST. Proposals should be submitted in PDF format via email: shannonn@comanchenation.com. Sealed proposals will be received in person at Comanche Nation Administration Building, 584 NW Bingo Rd., Lawton, OK 73502 Attention: Grants Department. Previously posted in #57.

Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska

Court Investigator (RFP), Juneau, A.K. The Tlingit & Haida Tribal Court is soliciting contractual-service proposals for a Court Investigator(s) for cases involving children in the Tribal Court. The Tribal Court will contract with up to three (3) Court Investigators for a one (1) year contact with three (3) one-year Options for a maximum of four years. Previously posted in #50.

Other jobs recently posted:

AUSA, Criminal Division, Western District of Michigan (1/25/18).

Note: Job vacancies are compiled and posted on Fridays to Turtle Talk. If you would like your Indian law job posted on Turtle Talk, please email indigenous@law.msu.edu.

Bears Ears
Tribal Commission

The Bears Ears Tribal Commission (Commission) serves as a collaborative manager of the Bears Ears National Monument. In its role as a collaborative manager, the Commission stands next to federal land management agencies in guiding management and management planning across the monument. The Director will implement the Commission’s directives as it collaboratively identifies and helps to implement interim visitation, site protection, and interpretation strategies for the monument, and as it engages in the preparation of recommendations for the national monument management plan for Bears Ears National Monument, Utah. The Bears Ears National Monument stands in the public spotlight for its new approach to engaging with tribes in public land management.

The Commission offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a creative, entrepreneurial, highly personable, culturally competent, and experienced professional to become the Bears Ears Tribal Commission Director. The Commission Director will serve as spokesperson and face of the movement – elevating Commission priorities to tribal leaders, national, state, and local political leaders, the National Congress of American Indians, and other stakeholder groups (15%). The Commission Director will be the point person for fundraising to implement the Commission’s vision for the Bears Ears National Monument (30%). The Director is responsible for carrying out the strategic vision of the Bears Ears Tribal Commission by working closely with the Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service to partner in land management planning (30%). Finally, the Director is charged with structuring and creating the Bears Ears Traditional Knowledge Institute, an Institute focused on integrating traditional knowledge into land management practices at the Bears Ears (25%). In these latter two efforts, the Director will supervise and work closely with three existing Commission staff – a public land specialist, a cultural resource specialist, and an outreach and operations manager – who are currently implementing land management planning on behalf of the Commission.

We seek an exceptional and entrepreneurial leader capable of and passionate about dedicating their time, energy, and full skillset to growing the Commission into its full potential. The ideal candidate will have experience creating and growing a new organization, preferably one related to Native issues. Experience in land management planning, working with federal agencies, working with tribal nations, and working in collaborations that reach across interest groups is desired. Familiarity with the Bears Ears region and the Colorado Plateau, demonstrated success with fundraising, and supervisory experience are all highly desirable. Above all, we seek an individual willing to put full heart, energy, and intellect into this work to realize the promise of the Bears Ears National Monument, both for the Commission and all Tribes.

Location: Flexible – The residence of the executive director may be located in a community within a three hour drive of the Bears Ears. There is a strong preference for the director to be located in Durango or Cortez, Colorado or in a town in San Juan County, Utah. This position will require extensive travel, mostly in the Southwest.

Compensation: Competitive, commensurate with experience (expected range between $80,000 – $100,000). The Bears Ears Tribal Commission applies Native American Preferences in its hiring practices. We are launching the organization using a two-year contractor structure for all positions, with a vision of building a stand-alone organization with full-time benefit eligible positions at the conclusion of the two years.

Download pdf job description: BETC Executive Director Position Description

Send cover letter and resume to bearsearscommission@gmail.com. Open until February 16th, 2018.

Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation

DEPARTMENT: Legal Department
CLOSE DATE: January 23, 2018

DEFINITION/PURPOSE: Provide legal advice to the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Tribal Council, tribal departments and economic enterprises. Represent the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation in matters brought in Tribal, State and Federal court.

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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION: 1) An attorney in good standing licensed to practice law in the State of Arizona; 2) Two (2) years legal experience working for a federally recognized Indian tribe or in the area

Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation
Human Resources Department
Attn: Recruiter
P O Box 17779
Fountain Hills, AZ 85269
Phone: 480-789-7118
Fax: 480-816-0419
Email: recruiter@ftmcdowell.org

Download full job description: 114 Assistant General Counsel

Gila River Indian Community
Sacaton, AZ

Job Number: 18-098
Department: Office of General Counsel City: Sacaton, AZ
Location: 525 W. Gu U Ki Road
Salary/Hourly Rate: $105,776 Salary

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:
The Senior General Counsel is responsible for a wide range of legal tasks and supervision of assigned attorneys and staff within the Office of General Counsel. This position assists the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel in providing legal advice and legal representation to the Community.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Supervise junior attorneys and staff in the Office of the General Counsel to ensure proper day-to-day performance.
• Assist in the representation of the Community in legal matters in the Community (Tribal) Court, state court, federal court and administrative bodies.
• Represent the Community as an attorney in commercial and other transactions.
• Advise Community departments, agencies and programs on various issues including compliance issues and policy drafting.
• Advise the Community Council and assists in revising laws and ordinances of the community.
• Provide advice on laws, regulations, court opinions and staying abreast of legal developments in order to provide up to date advice to Community departments, agencies and programs.
• Prepare legal opinions and other memoranda on a wide range of issues.
• Draft and review resolutions, contracts and intergovernmental agreements.
• Participate in training for junior attorneys and staff in the office.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

For full job announcement, click the following link: gric-job-posting

Visit the GRIC website and apply online: www.gilariver.org

California Indian Legal Services
Bishop, CA

California Indian Legal Services is a statewide, tribally controlled, non-profit corporation that provides legal services to Indian tribes, Indian organizations and low-income individual Indians on issues involving Federal Indian Law. CILS provides a variety of legal services including brief counsel and advice and extended representation on core legal issues affecting Native Americans and Indian tribes. CILS is involved in litigation, policy analysis, and advocacy and also provides transactional services to tribes involving economic development and tribal infrastructure.

The Bishop office of CILS is also home to the Eastern Sierra Legal Assistance Project (ESLAP) and the Inyo Mono Senior Legal Program (IMSLP). ESLAP provides brief services/referrals on general poverty law issues to low-income individuals in Inyo, Mono, and Alpine counties. IMSLP provides brief services/referrals on elder law issues to individuals age 60 years and over in Inyo and Mono counties. Currently, CILS operates four offices in California. Additional information about CILS may be found on our website, at www.calindian.org.

Job Description: 

This is a full-time position devoted to increasing and enhancing the legal services we provide to individuals with Indian law and non-Indian law issues, including general poverty law. Staff attorney will work with individuals, families, organizations and tribal governments in all areas of Federal Indian law, including but not limited to, advising on issues involving jurisdiction, tax, estate planning, trust assets, environmental law, natural resource development, cultural resource protection, Indian education, tribal governance, employment, tribal justice systems, and the Indian Child Welfare Act. Responsibilities may range from the provision of brief counsel and services to low-income Indian individuals to representing individuals and tribes in state and federal court, negotiating contracts, advising tribal clients and developing and implementing constitutions, codes, and policies for tribal clients.

Download full job description, BIS Staff Attorney Job Announcement