Special Tribal Prosecutor/Special Assistant United States Attorney

Kalispel Tribe Careers•Airway Heights, WA

120d

About The Position

This grant-funded position, awarded to the Kalispel Tribe by the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women, serves as both a Special Tribal Prosecutor in Kalispel Tribal Court and a Special Assistant United States Attorney through the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington. Employed by the Kalispel Tribe’s Legal Department and cross-designated to work under USAO supervision, the prosecutor’s time is anticipated to be divided between the Tribe and the USAO. The position prosecutes targeted federal crimes on the Kalispel, Spokane, and Colville Tribal Reservations, as well as targeted offenses within the jurisdiction of Kalispel Tribal Court. The targeted caseload includes domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, sex trafficking, stalking, and domestic violence firearms cases. The position also advises and trains federal and tribal law enforcement, collaborates with prosecution and victim-support partners, and participates in multidisciplinary work to promote victim safety and offender accountability. The role handles all stages of litigation and may supervise assigned paralegals, legal assistants, interns, and other staff. The position requires a Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and an active Washington State law license in good standing. A minimum of three years’ experience litigating felony cases is required. The description also calls for demonstrated trial and litigation practice, strong legal research and writing, courtroom and communication skills, good judgment, ethical conduct, and the ability to work with minimal guidance in a demanding environment. The employee must be available to work nights, weekends, and holidays as required, travel frequently within the district and occasionally outside it, and obtain and maintain a work permit level 3.

Requirements

Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
License to practice law in Washington State and in good standing.
At least three years’ experience litigating felony cases.
Demonstrated experience in trial and litigation practice.
Superior oral and written communication skills, strong interpersonal and research skills, and good judgment.
Ability to function with minimal guidance in a highly demanding environment and to act with the highest ethical standards.
Excellent legal research and writing skills, including the ability to conduct independent research and prepare day-to-day correspondence and pleadings substantially self-sufficiently.
Excellent communication and courtroom skills and ability to work professionally and supportively with attorneys, support staff, and MDT Task-Force member Tribes.
Computer literacy, including experience with online automated legal research, electronic court filing, email, word processing, and database systems.
Good moral character and fitness.
Ability and willingness to travel frequently locally and occasionally outside the district.
Ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays as required.
Obtain and maintain a work permit level 3.
Ability to meet the listed physical demands, with reasonable accommodations where applicable.

Nice To Haves

Five or more years as a licensed practicing attorney.
Experience as a Tribal in-house attorney or other direct work with Tribes, preferably focused on criminal prosecution.
Experience in Federal Indian Law, including working knowledge of tribal court systems, criminal prosecutions, Tribal sovereign rights, and working and negotiating with federal and state agencies.
Knowledge and working experience with regulations relevant to behavioral health programs.
Knowledge and working experience with Public Law 280 in Washington State.
Experience preparing appellate briefs and presenting appellate arguments.

Responsibilities

Enhance the resources of the USAO and the Tribal Legal Department to ensure prosecution of the targeted crimes.
Investigate and prosecute domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, sex trafficking, stalking, and domestic violence firearms cases.
Serve as a Special Tribal Prosecutor for the Kalispel Tribe, prosecuting targeted crimes on the Kalispel Reservation in Kalispel Tribal Court.
Serve as a criminal prosecutor in the Eastern District of Washington, under USAO supervision, prosecuting targeted crimes occurring on the Kalispel, Colville, and Spokane Reservations.
Advise and provide training to federal and tribal law enforcement agencies.
Interview and prepare witnesses; review police reports and discovery; make charging and other case decisions; and exercise sound judgment and ethics in case dispositions.
Communicate effectively and provide after-hours telephone advice to tribal and federal law enforcement officers; coordinate with Washington State prosecution and law enforcement partners.
Present cases to the grand jury and try criminal cases in the U.S. District Court and Kalispel Tribal Court.
Conduct legal research and draft and file pleadings, charging documents, briefs, sentencing memoranda, and other legal documents.
Participate in Multi-Disciplinary Team meetings with the FBI and other federal and tribal partners.
Handle all stages of litigation, including negotiations, mediation, discovery, motion practice, oral argument, trial, and appeal.
Collaborate with the Kalispel Tribal Prosecutor, the Tribe’s Victim Assistance Services Program, and Kalispel Tribal Court programs to promote victim safety, offender accountability, best practices, and reduced recidivism.
Propose improvements to the Kalispel Tribal Law and Order Code, Tribal regulations, policies, procedures, and professional development training related to the targeted crimes.
Prepare legal analyses of proposed statutes, regulations, and manuals; interpret legal concepts, laws, rulings, and regulations.
Monitor court decisions and pending legislation affecting prosecution of the targeted crimes and recommend best practices.
Supervise assigned paralegals, legal assistants, interns, and other staff as necessary, including directing work, evaluating and coaching employees, and addressing complaints and issues.