Directing Attorney/Senior Directing Attorney

ALASKA NATIVE JUSTICE CENTER

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title:        Directing Attorney/Senior Directing Attorney

Department:  Alaska Native Justice Center (ANJC)

Reports To:    Chief Operating Officer

Supervises:    Attorneys, Paralegals and related staff

FLSA Status: Exempt

Pay Grade:     E8 (Director), E9 (Senior Director)

Job Type:       Regular, Full-Time

AKBCU:          No             ICPA: No

General Functions:

The Directing Attorney/Senior Directing Attorney leads with vision and strategic direction across ANJC’s services. The Director will partner with CITC departments to serve clients and ensure access to services across programs. The Director will supervise staff, manage program budgets, ensure the completion of grant and program reports, manage day-to-day office operations, and improve administrative systems, policies, and processes. They will oversee efforts at promoting a culture of inclusivity and belonging that embraces the contributions of all team members.   They will oversee and manage ANJC’s internal legal practice procedures and legal compliance efforts, including conflicts and ethics-related issues, and ensure all services are delivered successfully

Our team: 1) represents Alaska Tribes in child welfare matters that implicate the Indian Child Welfare Act; 2) provides technical assistance and training to tribal justice systems; and 3) provides civil legal services to primarily Alaska Native/American Indian victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, dating violence and stalking.

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Ensure the quantity and quality of the legal work and the effective, efficient and high-quality representation of clients. 
• Oversee administration, compliance, and fiscal management of grant-funded initiatives, including budgets, contracts, audits, financial reporting, and evaluations.
• Collaborate with the COO and staff for the purpose of legal work management that includes mentoring and supervision, assistance and administration of legal work management and database systems.
• Office management and administration responsibilities include supervision of staff; ensuring that program policies and priorities are implemented; preparing any reports that are requested by COO; and participation in hiring staff.
• Oversee applicant and client services tracking procedures, reporting, and data maintenance. 
• Serve as a strategic contributor and active member of the CITC Leadership Council (CLC).
• Prepare and present strategic information to senior leadership and the Board.
• Ensure all services meet goals, objectives and reporting requirements.
• Maintain and cultivate partnerships with Tribes, and Tribal Organizations. 
• Represent ANJC in local, State and national forums on public safety and justice.
• Client development responsibilities include developing and maintaining effective relationships with Tribes and Alaska Native organizations, including all funding sources, and ensuring that ANJC pursues and secures meaningful opportunities to work with Tribes, Native organizations, and Native people.
• Collaborate with staff to ensure that knowledge about ANJC services is widely shared throughout the state. This includes designing and ensuring delivery of community education presentations, and relationship building. 
• Assist with implementing strategies that advance ANJC’s public policy objectives, including researching proposed legislation and regulations, and drafting consultation comments.
• Participate in budget, funding and planning meetings as needed.
• Carry an appropriately sized caseload concomitant with other duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the COO.  
• Limited travel to both rural and urban areas may be required.
• Perform other related duties as directed.

Job Specifications:

• Superior oral and written communication skills, to include the following: ability to write reports, correspondence, and the ability to effectively present information to groups and community partners.
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to monitor legislative and regulatory developments at the federal, state, and local levels, knowledge of legislative and regulatory practices.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Disciplined, with demonstrated organizational skills and the ability to work independently.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office suite, legal case management software and relevant computer programs. 
• Builds relationships across differences; proactively and positively works through conflict; remains engaged; adept at conflict resolution and mediation techniques.
• Makes difficult and different types of decisions using different styles and processes.
• Ensures regulatory compliance; fiscally accountable; navigates in areas of uncertainty; minimizes potential negative impacts including financial, legal, human resources.
• Retains and develops staff, including into leadership roles; grow people to handle day-to-day operations; develop systems and processes to support organization’s sustainability
• Displays sound emotional intelligence; able to generalize, calm demeanor; adaptable, self-reflective/aware; recognizes impact on others; responsive to needs of others.
• Leads others; works effectively within a team; maintains team morale and performance.
• Manages internal/external relationships professionally; loyal and respectful. 

Minimum Leadership Core Competencies: Conflict Management, Decisiveness, Finance/Budgeting, Risk/Liability Management, Staff/Organizational Development, Emotional Intelligence, Respectful Leadership, Problem Solving, Strategic/Systems Thinking, Teamwork, Professionalism.  

Minimum Qualifications:

Directing Attorney:

• Juris Doctor degree and active membership in the Alaska Bar Association, or ability to obtain within 6 months.
• 7 years of experience in the practice of law, including experience and knowledge in Alaska Native legal issues, Indian Child Welfare Act and Child in Need of Aid.
• 3 years’ experience as a manager overseeing social service, legal or related programs, including budget management, grant administration and development of staff.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the social, health, educational, training, and cultural needs of the Alaska Native and American Indian community.
• Continued employment is contingent upon receipt of a satisfactory report from a state and federal background check.

Senior Directing Attorney:

• 10 years of experience in the practice of law, including experience and knowledge in Alaska Native legal issues, Indian Child Welfare Act and Child in Need of Aid.
• 5 years’ experience as a manager overseeing social service, legal or related programs, including budget management, grant administration and development of staff

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience with legislative process.
• Experience in ANCSA/Indian law, P.L. 93-638 and P.L. 102-477.
• Knowledge of tribal/state/federal relations.

Physical Requirements: 

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.  

• May require prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and consistently working on a computer with repetitive motion.  
• The need to occasionally move around the office to access filing cabinets, storage cabinets, and office equipment may be necessary. 
• Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally by utilizing proper lifting techniques and working in a safe manner. 

Disclaimer

The information provided in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by incumbents within this job.  It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications and working conditions required of employees assigned to this job.  Management has sole discretion to add or modify duties of the job and to designate other functions as essential at any time.  This job description is not an employment agreement or contract.