Closing Date: 6th July, 2024

Description:

Definition:
Under general supervision of the General Counsel, provides legal review and advice to the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC or Community) government. Ensures that applicable laws are followed so that tribal sovereignty is protected and enhanced. Provides assistance to avoid or prevent expensive legal disputes and litigation and protects the Community's legal interests. Assignments in this job may include legal work for specific departments (i.e. – SRPMIC Public Safety Departments – Fire, Police, Emergency Management, and Department of Corrections). This job class is treated as FLSA Exempt.

Essential Functions: Essential functions may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not intended to be a comprehensive list of tasks performed by all positions in this classification.

Examples of Tasks

Reviews documents and provides legal advice to protect SRPMIC interests; may be assigned as counsel for civil litigation involving the Community and its departments. Advises supervisor, Community departments, divisions and enterprises and the Community Council. Reviews law, rules, regulations, contracts, intergovernmental agreements, grant documents and related legal documents.
Provides legal guidance on personnel, program and other related issues to various departments of the SRPMIC. Drafts legal documents, ordinances and policies. May provide functional, project specific supervision to support staff.
Works with a broad range of people such as Council members, government employees, boards, and committees and other officials, many of whom are Community members.
Represents SRPMIC at internal, external or intergovernmental meetings related to the various interests of the Community. Attendances at after-hour meetings may be required.
Conducts legal research and provides advice related to Community interests, tribal sovereignty, tribal jurisdiction, taxation, membership, health and human resources, law enforcement, human resources/personnel matters, civil litigation, commercial transactions, business law and/or other areas.
Assists in the preparation of legal and technical correspondence for the President, Vice President, Community Manager, and General Counsel.
Keeps informed of federal law, regulations, administrative and court decisions in Indian law and interacts with other tribal, federal, state or local agencies on behalf of the Community.
Performs other job related duties that enhance and/or facilitate department operations.
May supervise the office's tribal court advocates and oversee Community civil litigation in the Community Court, and possibly State and Federal Court.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics:

Knowledge of the history, culture, laws, rules, customs and traditions of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.
Knowledge of Federal Indian law.
Knowledge of case law appropriate to the issues and cases assigned.
Knowledge of legal research methods, legal research software, and use of data bases.
Skill in interpreting and applying statues, ordinances and other laws.
Skill in interpreting and applying rules, regulations, and policies.
Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with SRPMIC Administration, Community Council members, Community members officials and appropriate outside entities.
Skill in communicating and instructing others, using both technical and non-technical language as appropriate to provide legal counsel and explanation to those for whom the subject matter is unfamiliar and/or difficult to understand.
Ability to get along well and cooperate with others.
Ability to communicate orally and in writing with administrative staff, community member officials, outside entities and co-workers.
Ability to perform legal research.
Ability to analyze difficult and complex legal issues and apply legal principles.
Ability to adapt to changing work situations and assignments.
Ability to exercise resourcefulness in addressing new problems.
Ability to present statements of fact, law and argument clearly and logically, in both written and oral form.
Ability to produce written documents with clearly organized thoughts, using proper sentence construction, punctuation and grammar.
Ability to set priorities and be organized in order to meet deadlines.
Ability to analyze and aid in drafting and commenting on proposed legislation.
Ability to appear as counsel of record in litigation or other adjudicatory proceedings.

Minimum Qualifications:
Education and Experience: Graduation from an American Bar Associated accredited college or university with a Law Degree (Juris Doctor) and at least three (3) years of experience as a licensed attorney representing Native American tribes in legal affairs. Experience that has provided knowledge of social, political, and legal framework of tribal governments is essential.

Equivalency: Any equivalent combination of experience and education that will allow the applicant to satisfactorily perform the duties of the job may be considered when filling this position.

Underfill Eligibility: An enrolled Community Member whom closely qualifies for the minimum qualifications for a position may be considered for employment under SRPMIC Policy 2-19, Underfill

Special Requirements:
Must be a member in good standing with a state bar association. If currently not a member of the Arizona Bar must take and pass the Arizona Bar Exam and be admitted to the Arizona Bar within one (1) year from the date of hire. In addition, candidates must have the ability to practice in Federal District Court if required. Must attend a minimum of 15 hours annual continuing legal education as related to job and approved by supervisor.

Prior to hire as an employee, applicants will be subject to drug and alcohol testing. Will be required to pass a pre-employment background/fingerprint check. Employees are subject to random drug and alcohol testing.

"SRPMIC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer" Preference will be given to a qualified: Community Member Veteran, Community Member, Spouse of Community Member, qualified Native American, and then other qualified candidate.

In order to obtain preference, the following is required: 1) Qualified Community Member Veteran (DD-214) will be required at the time of application submission 2) Qualified Community Member (must provide Tribal I.D at time of application submission),3) Spouse of a Community Member (Marriage License/certificate and spouse Tribal ID or CIB is required at time of application submission), and 4) Native American (Tribal ID or CIB required at time of application submission).