Staff Attorney - Legal Services

Definition: Under general supervision of the Managing Attorney, this position will provide legal review and advice to clients of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC & Community) Legal Services Office.  Guiding directive is to protect the client's interests, legally and ethically, while working to prevent expensive legal disputes and litigation.  This position may be expected to work evenings and weekends as needed and is not subject to a standard work schedule.  This job class is treated as FLSA Exempt.

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

1. Provides legal services and representation to eligible clients of the Salt River Legal Services Office with civil actions in Community, AZ State, Federal, and Tribal Courts, through tasks illustrated by, but not limited to, the following: interviewing clients, providing legal advice, conducting necessary research, and drafting correspondence and legal documents. 

2. Drafts and prepares legal documents, pleadings, motions, briefs and appeals; represents clients in tribal, state and federal forums, whether in court, administrative hearings, or other appropriate forums. 

3. Prepares and participates in community legal education projects for Community members. 

4. Reviews laws, rules, regulations and legal documents as appropriate to serve clients and to meet the needs of the office; complies with ethical guidelines governing the performance of legal services both within the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and all other jurisdictions where appearing and where applicable.  

5. Advises supervisor, on a routine basis, of legal matters affecting clients; represents SRPMIC Legal Services Office on committees, at conferences or other external meetings related to the various interests of clients, the office and the Community.  Ensures continued communication with supervisor on legal issues affecting clients within the office. 

6. Performs other job related duties that enhance and/or facilitate department operations.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics:
 

• Knowledge of SRPMIC code of ordinances, policies, and regulations as well as all other Tribal, State and Federal laws applicable to Native Americans. 
• Knowledge of principles and practices of legal profession, legal research methods, legal research software, use of databases, legal principles and their applications; knowledge of case law appropriate to the issues and cases being prepared. 
• Knowledge of SRPMIC ordinances, policies, regulations and rules relating to SRPMIC and its entities; knowledge of applicable Federal and State laws, rules, regulations and policies.
• Knowledge of the history and customs of the SRPMIC.

• Skill in work management and setting priorities to meet established as well as changing deadlines. 
• Skill in applying and interpreting statutes, ordinances and other laws, rules, regulations and policies as they pertain to legal issues presented for review. 
• Skill in oral and written communication. 
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective work relationships with Community administrators, Department Directors, Tribal Council Members, staff and other members of the Community as well as outside entities.

• Ability to perform legal research; analyze difficult and complex legal problems and apply legal principles and precedents; ability to present statement of fact, law and argument clearly and logically, on both written and oral form. 
• Ability to communicate orally, and in writing, with administrative staff, community members, department directors, members of the general public, administrative staff, outside entities, and co-workers.
• Ability to produce written documents with clearly organized thoughts, using proper sentence construction, punctuation and grammar in a timely manner.
• Ability to handle legal correspondence as required for duties and as directed by supervisor. 
• Ability to get along well and cooperate with others. 
• Ability to exercise resourcefulness in addressing new problems. 
• Ability to analyze and aid in drafting and commenting on proposed legislative measures.

Education & Experience: Graduate of a recognized school of law, and three years of experience in litigation; Experience/familiarity with executive, legislative, and judicial functions of tribal government and with federal laws governing Native Americans is essential. Experience/familiarity in family law, juvenile law, dependency cases, Guardian ad Litem representation, probate, or civil law is preferred. 

Equivalency: Any equivalent combination of education and/or experience that would allow the candidate to satisfactorily perform the duties of this position, will be considered.

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.

• Membership in the State Bar of Arizona is required. If not admitted to AZ State Bar, must be willing to take and pass the Arizona State Bar Exam within one year of employment with the Community. Must attend a minimum of 15 hours annually of continuing legal education as related to job and approved by supervisor.
• Employees in, and applicants applying for, jobs providing direct services to children are subject to the “Community Code of Ordinances”, Chapter 11, “Minors”, Article X. “Investigation of Persons Working With Children”.

"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).

Documents may be submitted by one of the following methods: 

1) attach to application
2) email to HRRecruitment@srpmic-nsn.gov
3) fax (480) 362-5860
4) mail or hand deliver to Human Resources.

Documentation must be received by position closing date. 

The IHS/BIA Form-4432 is not accepted. 

Your Tribal ID/CIB must be submitted to HR-Recruitment-Two Waters.