District Court Judge

Judicial Branch of the Navajo Nation

Position Type: Judicial Clerkship

Geographic Preference: Southwest (AZ, NM)

Description:

Work days: Monday – Fridays; work hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Entry level salary: $69,076.80.
Under the administrative direction of the Chief Justice of the Navajo Nation Judicial Branch, shall perform work of unusual difficulty in presiding over civil, criminal and family court cases; provides policy direction and guidance in the operation of the Judicial District; performs related duties as assigned. Hears and decides cases within the jurisdiction of the Navajo Nation courts, including but limited to evidentiary hearings, motions writs and trials; issues search and arrest warrants; hears the facts and interprets and applies applicable statutes, rules, ordinances, and case law; performs legal research; adheres to case management policies; renders orders and judgments on cases heard before the court. Provides policy guidance in resolving
administrative, operational and related managerial issues; assures compliance with consent decree establishing health and safety standards for the Nation’s detention facilities; provides legal education and information on works of the Navajo Nation Courts to the public and other governmental entities including state and federal governments; conducts ministerial duties not limited to oath of office; may serve on Navajo Nation court related projects for purpose of improving the quality of justice.

Education, Training and Experience:
Pursuant to 7 N.N.C. § 354. Qualifications for judicial appointment, A. District Courts.
An applicant shall have earned, at a minimum, an Associates of Arts and Science degree from accredited institution of higher education. An applicant who has
earned a higher education degree shall be preferred, with particular preference being given to a law degree a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) or Master of Law (LL.M). Two (2) years experience working with courts or law-related work; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the capabilities to perform the described duties.

Minimum Qualifications for Applications:
Pursuant to 7 N.N.C. § 354 applicant must produce a certificate of good health from a licensed physician, attest to the fact that they have no physical addictions, provide/submit a writing sample illustrating the ability to clearly show organization and communication skills, demonstrate there are no present or past conflicts of interests that would have the appearance of partiality
or bias in cases brought to the courts, submit letters of reference that outline motivation, employment performance, character and capacity for honesty and impartiality, demonstrated managerial skills necessary for supervising staff, coordinating budget and personnel requirements, verbal communication and writing abilities. Applicant must be an enrolled member of the Navajo
Nation, 30 years or older, no misdemeanor or felony convictions, able to successfully pass a criminal background check. Applicant must demonstrate fluency in both the Navajo and English languages.

Probationary Status and Appointment:
Pursuant to 7 N.N.C. § 355 Appointment; term of office, the selected applicant shall be appointed by the Navajo Nation President and serve a two (2) year probationary period in which the Judiciary Committee shall review the probationary status and recommend to the Navajo Nation Council for permanent appointment and confirmation.
To receive full credit for education/training applicant must submit copies of college transcripts, certificates, diploma, etc.
THE JUDICIAL BRANCH OF THE NAVAJO NATION GIVES PREFERENCE TO ELIGIBLE AND QUALIFIED APPLICANTS IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE NAVAJO PREFERENCE IN EMPLOYMENT ACT. Revised: October 01, 2010

Desired Class Level:

RECENT GRADS, Alum 0-3 yrs exp, Alum 4-6 yrs exp, Alum 7+ yrs exp, LLM

Posting Date: October 1, 2014

Expiration Date: October 31, 2014

contact: Rosita Kelly, Arizona

Resume Receipt: E-mail, Other (see below)

Default email for resumes.: rkelly@navajo-nsn.gov

How To Apply: Interested applicants can retrieve the Judicial Branch application from our website: www.navajocourts.org. Other job vacancies can be viewed there as well under Human Resources.

Additional Documents: Cover Letter, Unofficial Transcript, Other Documents

Requested Document Notes: We can accept faxed or email documents with original documents sent to our address by mail. Navajo Nation Judicial Branch Human Resources; P. O. Box 520; Window Rock, AZ 86515.

id: 24733

ANNOUNCEMENT of JUDICIAL VACANCIES

ANNOUNCING:

Applications are being accepted for three vacancies on the Superior Court in Maricopa County created by the addition of Divisions 96, 97 and 98 effective October 1, 2014.

An original completed application, 5 double-sided copies, and one (1) single-sided copy must be received by the Human Resources Department, Administrative Office of the Courts, 1501 West Washington, Suite 221, Phoenix, AZ, 85007, no later than 3:00 p.m. on Friday, October 24, 2014.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must be at least 30 years of age, of good moral character, admitted to the practice of law in and a resident of Arizona for the past five years, a resident of Maricopa County for the past year, and under age 65 at the time the nomination is submitted to the Governor.

APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM:

Human Resources Department – OR – by calling (602) 452-3311

Administrative Office of the Courts

1501 W. Washington, Suite 221, – OR – by sending an E-mail request to:

Phoenix jnc@courts.az.gov

– OR – at the Judicial Department website: www.azcourts.gov/jnc

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THESE VACANCIES:

Applicants for the recent vacancy in Maricopa County DO NOT need to reapply to be considered for the new vacancies.

All written comments about applicants should be directed to the Maricopa County Commission on Trial

Court Appointments, c/o Blanca Moreno, Administrative Office of the Courts, 1501 W. Washington, Suite 221, Phoenix, AZ, 85007. All comments received at that address will be distributed to all commission members. Applicants are asked to limit solicited reference letters to a maximum of 12, from a diverse group of people who are well-acquainted with the applicant. All letters timely submitted will be forwarded to all commissioners.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

To comment on issues relevant to the vacant judgeship or on a particular applicant, submit a written statement to the Maricopa County Commission on Trial Court Appointments, Attn: Blanca Moreno, 1501 W. Washington, Suite 221, Phoenix, AZ, 85007. An opportunity for public comment will also be scheduled at both Commission meetings about these vacancies.

SELECTION PROCESS:

The Arizona Constitution requires the Maricopa County Commission on Trial Court Appointments to submit at least three nominees to the Governor within 60 days of the effective date of each vacancy. The Governor has 60 days in which to make a selection from the nominees submitted by the Commission. To obtain the procedures of the Commissions on Appellate and Trial Court Appointments or a list of Commission members call (602) 452-3311 or visit the website: www.azcourts.gov/jnc.

At its first meeting, the Commission reviews the applications and determines which applicants will be interviewed. That meeting and the subsequent interviews are open to the public, and voting on the nominations is conducted in a public session. News releases announcing the meetings will be issued at least one week prior to each meeting.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

The annual salary of a Superior Court judge is $145,000. Superior Court judges are eligible to enroll in State and/or County benefit plans.

JUDICIAL RETENTION:

Each judge is subject to an unopposed, nonpartisan retention election at the first general election held at least two years after he or she takes office. To be retained, a judge must receive a majority of affirmative votes cast. Following the first retention election, Superior Court judges stand for retention election every four years.

JUDICIAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW:

The Arizona Constitution requires that justices and judges undergo a performance review before each retention election, the results of which are disseminated to voters before the election. The Supreme Court adopts the rules that govern judicial performance review, a copy of which can be obtained by calling (602) 452-3311. The standards adopted by the Supreme Court and the Commission on Judicial Performance

Review for evaluating justices and judges are:

“The judge shall administer justice fairly, ethically, uniformly, promptly and efficiently. The judge shall be free from personal bias in decision making, shall decide cases based on proper application of law and procedure to the facts, and shall issue prompt, clear rulings and decisions that demonstrate competent legal analysis. The judge shall act with dignity, courtesy and patience. The judge shall effectively manage the courtroom and discharge the administrative responsibilities of the office.”