Re-Advertised! - Chief Judge - Red Lake Nation Courts

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

Re-Advertised!

Chief Judge

Red Lake Nation Courts

OPEN: October 15, 2014

CLOSING: November 21, 2014 @ 3:00 p.m.

Position Summary:

The Chief Judge is appointed by the Tribal Chairman and ratified by a vote of the Tribal Council. The Chief Judge serves as the highest official of the Judicial Branch of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians. The Chief Judge conducts hearings, trials, issues court orders, makes conclusions of law, and develops precedent. The Chief Judge is responsible for the efficient and effective operation of the Red Lake Nation Judiciary and administration of justice. The Chief Judge exercises direct supervision of the Court Administrator, and all Red Lake Nation Judges. Full-time position with benefits, salary; DOQ.

Essential Functions:

• Oversees the administration of the Judicial Branch

• Works with Court Administrator on budget planning and budget management.

• Exercises independent professional judgment in deciding cases and controversies including but not limited to jurisdiction of the court and applicable court procedure.

• Oversees Judges in all areas including: timeliness of orders, case assignments, and promulgation of orders, and review of other judicial operations and conducts periodic case review with judges while allowing for judicial independence.

• Implements rules of practice, enforces the code of ethics for every practitioner before the Red Lake Nation Courts.

• Carries an active case load, in addition to administrative duties. Maintains proper continuing legal education with specific focus on developments affecting Indian Country.

• Represents the Judicial system before the tribal council and other funding agencies as necessary.

• Possesses sufficient communication skills, specifically oral communication sufficient to handle tense and difficult situations and at times issue oral court orders.

• Possess a certain level of proficiency with technology to do draft court orders and accompanying conclusions of law.

• Possesses advanced legal research capabilities.

Education, Experience and Skills Required:

• Any person shall be eligible to serve as a Chief Judge whether or not they are an enrolled member of the tribe. Tribal members and Indians will be given preference, if they also possess all of the requirements set forth below.

• Must possess a Juris Doctor from an institution accredited by the American Bar Association.

• Must be admitted to practice law in any jurisdiction in the United States of America.

• At least five years of experience in the practice of law.

• Experience or willingness to gain experience in the Red Lake Tribal Code, Indian Civil Rights Act, Indian Child Welfare Act, Child Support and federal statutes, and federal regulations that affect tribal funding and Court operations.

• Experience with the practicing Native American law enough to have knowledge about the history of the unique standing that Red Lake has with the State and Federal Government.

• Experience in the practice to be familiar with Federal, State and Tribal court procedures that may be useful in hearings and deciding cases.

• Must be admitted to practice in any jurisdiction within the United States of America.

• Must be at least 25 years of age.

• Excellent legal drafting skills. Able to maintain confidentiality.

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Chief Judge-Tribal Courts

Education, Experience and Skills Required: (continued)

• Ability to work cordially and effectively with staff and public.

• Ability to analyze legal issues, principles and doctrines in order to decide cases and controversies.

• Must have experience in management.

• Must pass a background check.

• Must never been convicted of a felony.

• Must not have been convicted of a gross misdemeanor within five (5) years if this application in Red Lake or any other jurisdiction or have been sanctioned by the board of professional responsibility or any legal regulatory body in any jurisdiction.

• Must have valid Driver's license and proof of insurance.

• Submit to and pass a pre-employment and random drug/alcohol screening.

• Must have personal conduct standards that demonstrate the highest degree of ethics and morality.

Preference

All applicants are considered without regard to age, sex, race, national origin, religion, marital status, or physical disability. However, preference will be given to qualified band members, to qualified persons of American Indian descent, then to qualified candidates in accordance with P.L. 88-355, Sec. 703 (702-71) and P.L. 93-638, Sec. 7B.

TO APPLY: Tribal applications (w/Résumé attached) are being accepted at the Human Resources Department-ATTN; Sharon Norris, Human Resources Director, P.O. Box 546, Red Lake, MN 56671 Phone (218) 679-1847 *Fax (218) 679-4176.

TO APPLY ONLINE: Go to http://www.redlakenation.org and click "Job Postings" in the upper right hand corner and click "RLN Application".