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Gila River Indian Community

General Counsel Sacaton, AZ

Full Time Sacaton, AZ 203259 - 338765 USD ANNUAL 1 days ago

Job description

Job Title: General Counsel

Closing Date: 07/07/2023

DEADLINE: Attach any required documents, i.e., Transcripts, Certificates, diploma and Motor Vehicle

Record, to your online application by midnight on the closing date. Late Applications or documents will not

be considered.

Job Number: 23-629

Job Type: Contract Position

Department: Office of General Counsel

City: Sacaton, AZ

Location: 525 W. Gu U Ki Road

Area of Interest: Legal

Salary/ Hourly Rate: $203,259 - $338,765 Salary

Tribal Driving Permit Required: Yes

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

Under the administrative direction of the Community Council, the General Counsel serves as the chief legal officer of the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC or Community), including all Community departments, programs, enterprises and other entities. The General Counsel is responsible for protecting and enhancing the sovereignty of the Community and protecting its interests in various forums, including representing the

Community in litigation. The General Counsel supervises the Office of General Counsel and administers and oversees legal services for the Community.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Advises and counsels the Community Council, Standing Committees, Community leadership, Office of the

Community Manager, Community departments, programs, and offices with legal issues and questions involving the Community. Attends all Council meetings, attends certain enterprise board meetings, and provides regular reports and updates on legal issues affecting the Community and its enterprises.

Provides legal advice and representation on legal matters affecting the Gila River Indian Community, including but not limited to: economic development, allotted and tribal lands, natural resources, water, cultural resources, civil and criminal law, administrative matters, education, ICWA, health and welfare, gaming taxation, and employment law (personnel issues).
Represents the Community in litigation in federal, state, or Community courts, or in matters before federal or state administrative agencies including, but not limited to, matters related to the water rights and claims of the

Community, particularly in all water settlement negotiations and post-settlement implementation matters.

Provides supervision and general direction to the Office of General Counsel in an efficient manner, effectively supervising and monitoring the performance of the Deputy General Counsel, other attorneys and support staff assigned to the Office of General Counsel.
Administers the Office of General Counsel in the same manner as other Community departments, including the preparation of annual budgets and requests.
Assists in the preparation of the Community’s Fiscal Year Operating Budget as to requests for outside consultant services, including water consultants, lobbyists and outside law firms.
Performs other job related duties as assigned by the Gila River Indian Community Council, Governor or Lt.

Governor.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY:

Strong knowledge of the Gila River Indian Community Code, federal laws which apply to Indian tribes, state laws, other tribal codes and administrative regulations.
Strong knowledge of federal Indian law, including the principles related to tribal sovereignty, tribal civil regulatory authority and jurisdiction, tribal self-governance, and natural resources.
Knowledge of legal research methods, legal research software, use of various legal databases, legal principles and their applications.
Knowledge of case law from various courts including the Supreme Court of the United States, the United

States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and the State of Arizona.

Knowledge of principles and practices of legal profession including rules of professional and ethical conduct for attorneys.
Knowledge of Community ordinances, policies, regulations and rules relating to the Community and its entities.
Knowledge of applicable ordinances, statues, rules and regulations pertaining to business enterprises.
Knowledge of federal, state and local political issues.
Knowledge of effective supervision and management techniques.
Skills in effective supervision and management of staff.
Skills in applying and interpreting statutes, ordinances and other laws, rules, regulations and policies as they pertain to legal issues presented for review.
Strong skills in oral and written communication.
Skills in establishing and maintaining effective work relationships with Community leadership, Office of

General Counsel staff, Community administrators, department directors, and program administrators, outside consultants and law firms, members of the Community as well as outside entities.

Skills in working with other governments, including the federal, state and tribal governments.
Ability to perform advanced legal research and writing.
Ability to analyze difficult complex legal problems and apply legal principles and precedents.
Ability to present statements of fact, law and argument clearly and logically, in both written and oral form.
Ability to communicate orally, and in writing, with administrative staff, community members, department directors, Community leadership, members of the general public, outside entities and co-workers.
Ability to produce written documents with clearly organized thoughts in a timely manner.
Ability to handle a heavy workload of various legal matters.

REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

Juris Doctor Degree from an accredited law school and admission to the State Bar of Arizona and Arizona federal courts, or the ability to become admitted in Arizona within one year through reciprocity. Fifteen (15) years of experience of law practice, including representation of tribal governments and substantial experience in federal

Indian law, employment law, commercial transactions, gaming law, and natural resources (including land use and water). A minimum of five (5) years of supervisory experience is required.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT:

Must devote full time to the duties of the Office of General Counsel and shall not engage in the representation of other clients, undertake outside employment of any kind or consulting work, or engage in other activities, which would interfere with the legal representation of the Community without the express written approval of the

Community Council. Submission of a personally authored 20-30 page-writing sample.

Required to pass a background and fingerprint check.
Required to obtain Tribal Driving permit.

Supervisory, Contract Position

Reports to Governor or designee

BENEFITS:

The Gila River Indian Community offers a comprehensive benefits package, which includes; vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, short and long term disability benefits.

Preference in filling vacancies is given to qualified Indian candidates in accordance with the Indian Preference

Act (Title 25, U.S. Code, Section 472 and 473) . The Gila River Indian Community is also committed to achieving the full and equal opportunity without discrimination because of Race, Religion, Color, Sex, National Origin,

Politics, Marital Status, Physical Handicap, Age or Sexual Orientation. In other than the above, the Gila River

Indian Community is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

If you are claiming Preference in one or more of the following categories please attach a copy of the

required documentation to the completed Employment Application.

Preference for Community Members (with proof of enrollment)

Preference for Native Americans (must meet membership requirement of a federally recognized Tribe.)

Preference point for Spouse of Community Member (with proof of spouse enrollment)

Preference point for Veteran (must meet statutory requirements)

HUMAN RESOURCES WILL NOT MAKE COPIES OF APPLICATIONS OR DOCUMENTS BEING

SUBMITTED.

Visit our GRIC website and apply online: www.gilariver.org

Job Types: Full-time, Contract

Pay: $203,259.00 - $338,765.00 per year

Benefits:

Dental insurance
Health insurance
Paid time off

Schedule:

8 hour shift

Application Question(s):

Do you have at least 15 years of experience of law practice, including representation of tribal governments and substantial experience in federal Indian law, employment law, commercial transactions, gaming law, and natural resources?

Experience: