ATTORNEY - FAMILY AND CHILDREN SERVICES (OMBIMINDWAA GIDINAWEMAAGANINAADOG)

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

ATTORNEY

FAMILY AND CHILDREN SERVICES

(OMBIMINDWAA GIDINAWEMAAGANINAADOG)

Open: May 12, 2020-Until filled

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Red Lake Family and Children Services provides and arranges an array of culturally based intensive helping and healing services to families. This position is responsible for legal representation of the program in the state and tribal court systems. This position is responsible for civil legal work, including preparation of documents and arguments, negotiations, research, consulting and advising, among other duties. Work is performed in both tribal and state courts, but predominantly in tribal court. Individual must be licensed to practice in Minnesota and eligible for Red Lake Nation practice. Excellent written and verbal communication is required as well as knowledge of tribal code, state law, and federal law impacting child welfare cases. Reports to the Executive Director, full-time position with benefits, salary; DOQ.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• This position is responsible for advising Ombimindwaa Gidinawemaaganinaadog on legal matters:

o Interpret tribal code, state law, and federal law concerning child welfare for Ombimindwaa staff

o Review case work performed by Ombimindwaa staff and advise on active efforts requirements that will be interpreted by the court

o Prepare Ombimindwaa staff for testimony and court advocacy, advise staff on negotiations and agreements; petitions, motions, court findings and trials

o Responsible for meeting with Ombinindwaa staff to review permanency paperwork and offer legal advice

• This position is responsible for preparing legal documents and presentations for Ombimindwaa

Gidinawemaaganinaadog (client) for state and tribal court cases:

o Responsible for gathering evidence and preparing petitions, motions, briefs, and other documents

o Responsible for defending the agency, preparing oral arguments, and presenting evidence to the judge

o Draft notices of appeal and appellate documents on behalf of the agency, research applicable precedent to support agency arguments

o Responsible to confer with colleagues with specialty experience to strengthen agency arguments

• General responsibilities related to court work:

o Review, study, research, annotate laws or decisions related to similar cases that can be used to support current arguments, prepare appropriate recommendations to the court

o Request mediation with other parties and settlements when possible and in the best interest of Red Lake Nation members

o Attend court on behalf of the agency, document findings and orders, maintain files, prepare contract agreements in permanency cases

o Prepare recommended court orders for tribal court judges, review court orders for accuracy and actively pursues clarification when necessary

• This position is responsible for ensuring language in Court Orders and Agency petitions are fully compliant with Title IV-E of Social Security Act, and that the court orders are audit-ready

o Responsible to ensure petitions contain IV-E necessary language, to ensure court orders contain IV-E necessary language

o Responsible for ensuring correct spelling of names and dates of birth of children

o Responsible for ensuring court hearings are scheduled in accordance with IV-E timelines

o Responsible for ensuring cooperative working relationships with judicial officers to ensure IV-E language and timelines are implemented and that code modifications are implemented when necessary to comply with IV-E

• Responsible to uphold and demonstrate agency values, teamwork, and commitments to community:

o Collaborate with criminal prosecutors and investigators when criminal procedures are intertwined with civil child welfare cases

o Be fully compliant with ethical responsibilities and remain law abiding, interact with families in a culturally humble and respectful manner

o Adhere to Red Lake Family & Children Services policy and procedure manual and Practice Model

o Ensure Tribe is professionally represented during court hearings and meetings through professional language and dress code, along with accurate communication of Tribal issues

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of Federal laws, state laws, and tribal laws pertaining to child welfare

• Knowledge of Title IV-E compliance

• Knowledge of court system procedures

• Ability to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems

• Skilled in the operation of a personal computer, including related software such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

• Attend mandatory staff meetings and training activities

• Maintain confidentiality of materials presented in staff meetings

DIMENSIONS:

• This position does not have any supervisory responsibilities

• This position may entail large volumes of work, multi-tasking, and working long or late hours

• This position entails prioritizing under stressful conditions

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field

• Juris Doctor from an American Bar Association accredited law school

• Member of the Minnesota Bar in good standing

• Ability to pass criminal background check

• Continued commitment to ethical, legal, and responsible behavior

TO APPLY: Applications and copies of certificates/diplomas accepted at the Government Center – Human Resources Department, P.O. Box 546, Red Lake, MN 56671 Phone (218) 679-1847.

Please direct any job questions to Cheri Goodwin, Executive Director at Family Children Services at (218) 679-1219.