SENIOR TRIBAL ATTORNEY: Office of Tribal Attorney. Regular, Full-time. Salary: $140,000/ Annually. The Senior Tribal Attorney is responsible for providing legal advice, representation, drafting, research, and opinions on a wide range of matters as requested by Tribal Administration, Tribal Programs, and Tribal Enterprises. Major responsibilities include: tribal policy development, legal research and drafting, review of business contracts and facilitation of economic development efforts, representation in civil and administrative proceedings, negotiations with local, state, and federal agencies, and other duties as assigned. Will also work closely with the Tribe’s legal team and other attorneys with whom the Tribe has contracted for specific additional legal representation. Administrative duties include: preparing annual departmental budgets, assisting the Hoopa Valley Tribal Council (and its various departments and entities) in allocating its legal resources in a cost-effective manner, supervising outside counsel, and hiring/managing Office of Tribal Attorney staff. Deadline to Apply: Open Until Filled
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Advises and represents Tribal Council, Tribal Administration, Tribal Enterprises, and the Tribal Programs in matters involving federal, state, local, and tribal law.
2. Reviews contracts, grants, leases, and other legal documents and presents interpretations on legal content prior to signing and submission of documents.
3. Drafts and reviews tribal resolutions, ordinances, policies, and governmental procedures on behalf of the Hoopa Valley Tribal Council and its departments and entities as requested.
4. Represents the Tribe in litigation in federal, state, and tribal courts as requested, including cases under the Indian Child Welfare Act.
5. Gathers evidence in civil and other cases to formulate defense or to initiate legal action.
6. Prepares legal briefs and develops strategy, arguments, and testimony in preparation for presentation of case.
7. Represents the Hoopa Valley Tribe and the Hoopa Valley Tribal Council before quasi-judicial or administrative agencies.
8. Conducts discussions and negotiations with various Local, State and Federal Government Agencies including among others; Department of the Interior, Department of Justice, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Indian Health Service, National Indian Gaming Commission, State Attorney General, and Humboldt County Counsel.
9. Advises the Hoopa Valley Tribal Council and its departments and entities on matters involving internal affairs, employment law, and personnel policies.
10. Supports Hoopa Valley Tribal Council and Tribal Chairman in managing tribal relations and communications with public and other governmental bodies, i.e., local, state, and federal.
11. Gives advice on legal decisions, agency regulations, and statutes that affect Tribal activities.
12. Prepares business contracts and assists with economic development efforts.
13. Attends the Hoopa Valley Tribal Council meetings on an as-needed basis and requests specific Tribal Council action on an as-needed basis.
14. Occasionally travels on matters pertaining to the Hoopa Valley Tribe.
15. Conducts themselves in a professional responsible manner in accordance with the Hoopa Valley Tribe’s Professional Ethics Code for Spokespersons and Attorneys, and the Professional Responsibility Code of California.
16. Ability to check, analyze workload/caseload to determine effectiveness and determine future needs.
17. *Senior Tribal Attorney does not provide legal services to individual Tribal Members, except upon the express resolution of the Hoopa Valley Tribal Council when representation of the individual involves significant tribal government interests.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Directly supervises employees in the Office of Tribal Attorney. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Respectful, courteous, and friendly to the public, other tribal employees, and tribal leaders. A team player who helps the Tribal Council meets its objectives. Takes initiative to meet work objectives. Effective communications with the public and other tribal employees. Gets along with co-workers and managers. Demonstrates honesty and ethical behavior.
• To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Microsoft Word, Acrobat, Word Processing software and Excel Spreadsheet software.
• Establish and maintain effective working relations with the Tribal Council, Tribal Departments and/their Entities, Committees, Community, and outside resources with firmness, tact, and impartiality;
• Prepare and present effective oral and written informative material related to the activities of the Hoopa Valley Tribal Council. This will include technical writing and presentations to diverse audiences;
• Ability to analyze complex problems and situations and to propose quick, effective, and reasonable courses of action;
• Ability to organize information (maintain organized files, notes, and records) and be able to organize, and plan multiple tasks and projects;
• Maintain personal integrity and cultural sensitivity; and
• Ability to check, analyze workload/caseload to determine effectiveness and determine future needs.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Must be a graduate of an A.B.A. approved Law School; Juris Doctor (JD) Degree. Must be licensed to practice law in any state of the United States, preferably California, and obtain admission to the Hoopa Valley Tribal Court Bar. At least four (4) years of experience practicing Federal Indian Law or providing legal services to Tribal Governments.
HVT Application Requirements: To be considered for a HVT position, applicants must submit the following verification: 1) A complete HVT Employment Application (a resume is optional but alone does not meet this requirement). 2) Official or unofficial transcripts from an accredited college or university verifying required education, if applicable. 3) Tribal verification must be attached if requesting Indian Preference. Incomplete applications will not be considered. For more information, job descriptions, or applications, please contact HVT Human Resource Department at (530) 625-9200 or by email at [email protected]. The Hoopa Valley Tribe Drug & Alcohol Policy and TERO Ordinance apply to all employment hires.
NLADA Mutual Insurance Co., RRG
