Staff Attorney (Health/Education/ICW)

Kalispel Tribe Careers • Airway Heights, WA

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Tribe’s Legal Department provides a wide variety of services to the Tribal government, its programs, and economic enterprises. This position focuses on legal representation for the Tribe with an emphasis in Health, Welfare, and Education issues including Indian Child Welfare (ICW) and related issues by performing the following duties:

Directly supervise, as necessary, assigned paralegal(s), legal assistant(s) and legal intern(s) and other staff. Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with Tribal policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include but are not limited to working with law students and paralegals, training, planning, assigning and directing work, issuing performance appraisal, evaluating and correcting employees, if required, and addressing complaints and resolving issues.

Requirements

• Requires a Juris Doctor Degree.
• License to Practice Law in the State of Washington; in good standing.
• Minimum 5+ years’ experience as a Tribal In-house Attorney or other direct work with Tribes or Tribal Affairs.
• Minimum 5+ years’ experience in Federal Indian Law including a demonstrated working knowledge of the laws regarding tribal court systems, Indian child welfare, health care, child support, and education.
• Experience working and negotiating agreements with federal and state agencies.
• Demonstrated experience in trial and litigation practice.
• Knowledge of and working experience with regulations relevant to behavioral health programs.
• Knowledge of and working experience with Public Law 280 in the State of Washington.
• Willingness to travel locally on a frequent basis and occasionally out-of-town for conferences and ICWA hearings.
• Knowledge of applicable Tribal, Federal, or State laws and regulations including, but not limited to, ICWA, HIPAA/42 CFR Part 2, Rules of Professional Conduct and applicable policies and procedures.
• Must pass background check
• Must have clean disciplinary record from all jurisdictions where admitted to practice.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain the highest ethical standards.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and use tact and discretion.

Responsibilities

• Review, comment, and give guidance on policies/laws for ICW and Vulnerable adults (fulfill Presenting Officer obligations) and assist in development and implementation of plans and procedures.
• Assist with the negotiation of Tribal-State Agreements.
• Provide training and assist in implementation of relevant policies in areas including Mandatory Reporting, HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2.
• Assist Tribal Departments, including Camas Path Behavioral Health, Camas Health Recovery Center, the Camas Center Clinic, and Tribal Enterprises, with legal needs, including contract review.
• Draft legal documents/pleadings/orders and appear in applicable courts with an emphasis on hearings related to ICW, adult guardianships, child support, and other matters.
• Assist with litigation for the Tribe, including negotiation, mediation, legal research, discovery, motion practice, oral argument, witness preparation, trial and appeal.
• Represent the Tribe in various legal proceedings as assigned, including Tribal criminal prosecutions when needed (as a backup to the Tribal Prosecutor).
• Assist with managing, drafting and revising of the Tribal Ordinances, Resolutions, Constitution, and Code.
• Assist and advise, as applicable, the Court Director and Court Administrator with Tribal Court matters.
• Prepare legal analysis of proposed statutes, regulations, and manuals, and interpret legal concepts, laws, rulings and regulations.
• Keep abreast of current court decisions and pending legislation affecting the Tribe and assist with developing strategies on major Tribal related issues.
• In the absence of the Senior Tribal Attorney, the Staff Attorney may attend Tribal Council, Executive Committee, and KTEA meetings.

Benefits

• All employees shall refrain from any private business or activity, which might cause their personal interest to conflict with or affect the impartial discharge of their duties to the Kalispel Tribe of Indians.
• Each employee must demonstrate personal integrity and is charged with the responsibility to serve and represent the Kalispel Tribe in a professional manner.
• Employees must be free and appear free of any activity, agreement, business investment, or interest in situations which may interfere with that.
• This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree