Senior Tribal Attorney

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.

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.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

1. Employee is subject to an annual performance evaluation following a 90-day evaluation from hire date.2. Position is considered safety sensitive and employee is subject to the Tribal Alcohol & Drug Policy including pre­employment, random, post-accident (the employee will be automatically tested), reasonable cause and re-entry alcohol & drug testing.3. Employee is subject to Hoopa Valley Tribe's Title 30-A, Employment Background Investigation Policy. 4. Must possess a valid California Driver's License and be insurable under the Tribes Motor Vehicle Policy during term of employment.5. Reasoning Ability: Ability to define problems, collect and analyze data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.6. Work Environment: Characteristics of the work environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential duties of this job. While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in this work environment is usually moderate.7. Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to write speeches and articles using original or innovative techniques or style. Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.8. Mathematical Skills: Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.9. Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, and stoop, kneel, or crouch. Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10-25 pounds.10. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.11. Preference in hiring will be given to qualified Indian Applicants pursuant to Title 13; Hoopa Tribe’s TERO Ordinance apply.

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.

$140,000 annually