Child Welfare Attorney - Anchorage Or Remote (Alaska)

INFORMATION\ Job Class: Legal Professional Class\ Status: Active\ Department: Office of the President\ Type of Position: Non-Exempt\ Location of Work: Alaska\ Covered Position: Yes\ Salary Grade(s): 13-15\ Hours of Work: M-F, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm\ Employment Category: Regular, Full-Time\ \ PURPOSE\ The attorney will provide civil legal representation to Tlingit and Haida on child welfare cases and issues. The incumbents primary responsibility is to advise the Tribal Family and Youth Services (TFYS) department staff regarding the application of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and other State and Federal legislation that impact Tribal families.\ \ REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS\ Reports To: General Counsel\ Supervises: N/A\ Liaison To: N/A\ \ ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Appear in tribal court and state court on behalf of the Tribe
• Participate in Child Welfare staff meetings, all-staff meetings, and case review and screenings meetings
• Responsible for preparation and filing of legal briefs, motions, petitions, orders, etc., as needed in child welfare hearings
• Provide orientation and training to Child Welfare team on the application of the Indian Child Welfare Act
• Consult and advise staff on the position to be taken by the Tribe individual child welfare cases
• Responsible for preparing and presenting legal arguments in court
• Maintain case files
• Responsible for trial preparation in contested child dependency cases, including identification of expert witnesses and preparation for eliciting their testimony
• Participate in appropriate continuing legal education training
• Responsible for ongoing consultation with caseworker(s) in legal and court procedures, and to coordinate service delivery and case planning
• Ensure compliance with all relevant ethical rules and considerations
• Provide effective consultation and legal advice to the Tribe relating to the ICWA and child welfare matters
• Prepare reports for funding agency, as requested
• Track potential problems (structural, staffing, policy) and provide suggestions for ways of addressing such problems
• Consult with volunteer or staff attorney on child welfare matters
• Track appellate level ICWA cases within Alaska and nationwide, monitor decisions that may affect tribal families

\ DECISION MAKING AUTHORITY\ Spending Authority: N/A\ Other Authority: N/A\ \ NECESSARY SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• Experience in child dependency law
• Excellent written communication skills
• Court experience and knowledge of family law and other areas of law relevant to needs of Programs service population
• Knowledge of and experience with Federal Indian Child Welfare Act, its significance, history, and implications.
• Knowledge of the Alaska state statutes and regulations, pertaining to child welfare and dependency law
• Cultural sensitivity regarding American Indians/Alaska Natives

\ MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (education, experience, skills)

• Valid Drivers License
• A member of the Alaska State Bar in good standing
• Juris Doctorate degree
• Must satisfactorily pass background check

\ PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS (education, experience, skills)

• Two years previous experience and/or equivalent training involving ICWA

\ \ Conditions Of Hire

\ UNUSUAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OR RESTRICTIONS\ The majority of work is performed in a professional office setting and is generally sedentary, requiring routine walking, standing, bending, and carrying of items weighing less than 40 lbs. Travel on small aircraft or ferry may be required.

• Tlingit and Haida is a no tolerance workplace. All regular em loyees may be required to pass a pre-employment and subsequent random drug and alcohol screening to be eligible for and maintain employment.
• All employment at Tlingit and Haida is at will. This means that the employee or Tlingit and Haida may terminate employment at any time and for any reason. Unless specified in writing, no term of employment is expressed or implied for this position.
• Tlingit and Haida requires a criminal background check be conducted on all employees. All employment offers are conditional until federal criminal background check results verify your eligibility to work for Tlingit and Haida

\ Tlingit and Haida is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, changes in marital status, pregnancy, and parenthood. Alaska Native/American Indian Preference applies for all positions; therefore, when two candidates have equal qualifications, the Native will get preference.