Staff Attorney

Opening Date: December 17, 2024

Closing Date: January 17, 2025

Job Title: Staff Attorney

Salary/Wage: Negotiable

Location: Siletz, Oregon/ Hybrid

Classification: Full-Time, Exempt

Job Posting Number:

INTRODUCTION:

The CTSI Legal Department provides comprehensive legal advice and solutions for the Tribal Administration and represents Tribal Administration in a wide variety of legal proceedings. The Staff Attorney leads the Legal Department to support the Tribal Executive branch by offering proactive counseling and advice; drafting and review of legal documents; and representing the Tribal Administration in problem-solving, negotiation, and litigation.

The Tribal Attorney (outside counsel) represents the Tribe overall and provides guidance, and coordination to Staff Attorney of legal strategies and assistance. Complex Indian law and inter-governmental matters, and issues which may obligate or substantively affect the Tribe are referred to the Tribal Attorney, or coordinated with the Tribal Attorney, at the Tribal Attorney's discretion.

DUTIES:

• Advise Tribal administration/departments on legal issues.
• Advise and assist Tribal staff in complying with the contracting process, including preparing and/or reviewing contracts and agreements.
• Represent Tribal administration in Tribal court, state and federal courts, and arbitration and other judicial and administrative forums in coordination with Tribal Attorney.
• Represent Tribal administration and Tribal programs in negotiations.
• Perform legal reviews and assist Tribal administration and programs in correspondence when requested.
• Provide legal assistance, advise and/or represent Tribal administration and programs in such areas as personnel policy, grievances, program appeals, program eligibility, compliance with applicable law and regulations and constitutional and civil rights compliance/responsibilities.
• Provide legal assistance to programs in the development and application of program activities.
• Maintain current knowledge of statutes and new legislation affecting Tribal activities.
• Interpret Federal, State, and Tribal Law as it applies to Tribal program development and application.
• Develop or revise ordinances and policies.
• Develop annual departmental budget and oversee the expenditures.
• Supervise and direct department personnel.
• Direct preparation of departmental reports.
• Assists Tribal Attorney on issues of Tribal significance, and in other Tribal issues, at the Tribal Attorney's discretion.
• Coordinates department activities to the Tribal Attorney's overall legal strategy for the Tribe; consults with Tribal Attorney on tribal legal issues before taking final action on matters.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Carries out supervisory responsibilities of tribal legal staff in accordance with the Tribes policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, recommendation for hiring and dismissing employees; training employee; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
• Duties also include establishing budgets, staying within budgets, cuff accounts, budget reconciliations, program priority, program audits, staffing issues, program compliance issues, and training.

Requirements

REQUIREMENTS:

Siletz Tribal Member Applicants: Graduate from an accredited school of law, passage of a State Bar admission examination in Oregon or in a State that has reciprocity with the Oregon State Bar, and current membership in good standing in a State Bar Association. Outside counsel will mentor candidate for up to one year.

Graduate from an accredited school of law, three years experience in the practice of law, passage of a State Bar admission examination in Oregon or in a State that has reciprocity with the Oregon State Bar, and current membership in good standing in a State Bar Association.

Individual must be a member of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Tribal Court Bar or demonstrate ability to become a member of the Siletz Tribal Court Bar within 30 days of being hired.

Individual will have one year from date of hire to become a member in good standing of the Oregon State Bar Association licensed and eligible to appear in all Oregon State forums without additional eligibility requirements or procedures.

Experience in:

• Legal experience with tribal program operations (for example, contracts and grants, construction, housing, education, health, natural resources, child abuse, dependency and neglect), preferred.

Ability to:

• Communicate clearly, whether verbally or in writing with non-attorneys.
• Work with a wide variety of people and able to communicate effectively and relate to Tribal and community members, staff, State, federal and local agencies.
• Receive, evaluate and prosecute or defend cases involving Tribal administration.
• Organize, participate in and manage projects and meet project deadlines.
• Ability to participate as part of work group on projects involving legal and non-legal components.

Other:

• Must possess a valid Oregon State driver's license, insurance and be eligible to drive a GSA Vehicle.

Salary Description

Negotiable