Staff Attorney

Description:

• The Staff Attorney is an entry level position that will serve as the primary legal counsel for the Peoria Tribe including the Chief, Business Committee.
• The position is anticipated to be for an initial hire of two years, with extensions by agreement.
• The In-house Counsel shall work alongside the Tribe's General Counsel and must understand tribal and federal Indian law, willingness to learn, and a strong belief in tribal sovereignty.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Nothing in this specification restricts management's rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

• Provide legal and strategic advice to the Chief's office, Business Committee, and other tribal entities and departments.
• Ensure the Tribe's legal and sovereign interests are protected.
• Review and draft documents and/or contracts, legal research, and writing internal legal memoranda.
• Drafting and reviewing/revising tribal ordinances and resolutions and conduct policy analysis.
• Attend tribal department and Business Committee meetings.
• Advocate for the Tribe's interest in negotiations and legal and administrative proceedings as directed.
• Advise on personnel issues in coordination with human resources.
• Oversee any realty transactions of the Tribe, including acquisitions, right of ways, partitions, leases, and permits in accordance with the Bureau of Indian Affairs' standards.
• Communicate effectively as a representative of the Tribe.
• Adhere to strict confidentiality requirements.
• Conducting or assisting in litigation in which the Nation, an agency or officer thereof is a party, including potentially ICWA cases, under the direction of the General Counsel.
• Travel to both in and out of state meetings and conferences.
• Annually report to the Business Committee and governing council on the affairs and status of the legal issues before the Tribe or addressed by in-house counsel for the last preceding year and on any other matters pertaining to in-house counsel.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

• Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited law school.
• Must be admitted to the Oklahoma bar or sit and pass the next bar exam.
• Five (5) years of experience working as an attorney for a Tribe of law firm that represents tribes, or commensurate experience with tribal and federal law preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to work effectively with Native American people in culturally diverse environment.
• Ability to manage time well and work under stressful conditions with an even temperament.
• Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with tribal, state, federal, and local governments, public agencies, tribal citizens, other employees and the general public.
• Desire and ability to support and advocate for tribal rights.
• Knowledge of Laws, regulations, legislation, operations, rules, policies, and procedures of Dispute Resolution/Mediation and the Tribal Court.
• Knowledge of legal terminology, procedures and documents used in court cases.
• Knowledge of establishment and maintenance of filing and information retrieval systems.
• Ability to perform a wide variety of complex and specialized support duties for the Tribal Court.
• Ability to work with others on an individual basis utilizing high interpersonal skills.
• Must be able to read, understand, apply, and retain knowledge of departmental rules, regulations, and policies.
• Outstanding organizational abilities and must be able to prioritize.
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel) and internet resources.
• Position may occasionally require work beyond regular business hours.

Requirements:

• Possess a valid driver's license and have proof of lability insurance.
• Maintain any training and credential requirements as per policy and procedure.

Conditions of Employment:

• The Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma operates a drug-free workplace.
• May be required to submit to and pass applicable drug test and background check.
• Adhere to all work rules, policies & procedures, and safety standards.

• Confidentiality is an absolute must for this position and is cause for immediate termination if not followed to the highest standard.

Work Requirements:

• Position involves prolonged sitting, standing, stooping, or bending, lifting, or carrying up to 30 pounds on a daily basis.
• Work is generally performed in an office environment with varying levels of lighting, air quality, noise, and / or temperature.

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