Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Tribal Council, the Chief Legal Counsel is responsible for all legal matters involving the Muckleshoot Tribe, including all governmental and business activities.  Areas of oversight include management of the Office of the Tribal Attorney and all outside counsel retained by the Tribe. The incumbent will operate with substantial freedom to act in performing senior management level administrative, professional and technical work in order to implement the goals of the Tribe.

MAJOR TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This list is intended only to illustrate the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or is a logical assignment to the position.

1. Attends various conferences and meetings on behalf of the Tribe.

1. Responsible for all legal matters of the Tribe as directed by the Tribal Council, and conducts duties in accordance with instructions from the Tribal Council by duly authorized resolution or motion through its Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson.

1. Manages all aspects of the Office of the Tribal Attorney, including the supervision of the lawyers in the Office.

1. Analyzes, and if deemed appropriate, proposes revisions to the Office of Tribal Attorney's structure and staffing.

1. Responsible for organizing the Office of the Tribal Attorney in a manner that effectively delivers legal services to the Tribe, including delegation of authority and responsibilities to the lawyers in their areas of expertise, and communicating such organization, as appropriate.

1. Ensures that an effective succession plan is in place for the Office of Tribal Attorney to enable its functions to continue without significant interruption in the event of departures/retirements.

1. Responsible for and manages all budgets assigned by the Tribal Council to the CLC or Office of the Tribal Attorney.

1. Manages the retention and direction of all outside counsel retained by the Tribe.

1. Provides written or oral opinions on legal issues affecting Tribal business upon request of the Tribal Council.

1. Develops guidelines and procedures for the approval of legal documents by the Office of the Tribal Attorney to be submitted to the Tribal Council.

1. Participates in the legislative and public affairs at the federal, state and local level and closely coordinates with the Intergovernmental Liaison Department.

1. Provides and oversees legal advice and assistance to the programs and departments of the Tribe consistent with directions and priorities established by the Tribal Council.

1. Manages the drafting of contracts, ordinances, resolutions, legislation and other legal documents upon the request of the Tribal Council.

1. Assists in the economic development of the Muckleshoot Tribe as directed by the Tribal Council.

1. Achieves goals and objectives as established by the Tribal Council and as amended from time to time.

1. Responsible (along with other management personnel) for ensuring that all actions and decisions are in the Tribe’s best interests, including, but not limited to, ensuring that they are consistent with the Tribe’s commitment to the well-being of its members.

1. Serves as counsel to the Tribal Council during meetings and deliberations of the Tribal Council.

1. Performs other duties that may be assigned by the Tribal Council.

1. Because of the Tribe’s commitment to community service, each employee may be expected to perform a wide range of office and field duties as may be required from time to time. Such duties may or may not be related to their regular responsibilities.

EDUCATION - EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING FOR POSITION

Required:

Graduation from an accredited law school in the United States, and Fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible, related legal and managerial experience.

Special Requirements:   

Admitted to practice law and be in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association, or eligible for admission and obtain admission within six months of employment. 

SPECIFIC SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES REQUIRED FOR POSITION

Knowledge in:

Federal Indian law as well as other procedural and substantive law; applicable federal, state, county and local laws, regulations and requirements; effective supervisory practices including hiring and performance management;

Skilled in:

Establishing effective working relationships with diverse groups and individuals; communicating effectively orally and in writing with Tribal officials and managers, other governmental officials, consultants, and employees; managing, scheduling, assigning, coordinating and monitoring the work of professional, technical, trades and support staff; exercising independent professional judgment; negotiating legal matters; experience with litigation; conducting research, analyzing data and compiling comprehensive reports, with recommendations; organizing multiple tasks and priorities as well as effective delegation and time management skills; preparing, analyzing, and interpreting complex legal documents; operating a personal computer, including applicable software and office equipment; interpreting administrative guidelines and applying them to the work situation.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this class.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; use hands to operate, finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet.

The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe is a federally recognized Indian tribe whose membership is composed of descendants of the Duwamish and Upper Puyallup people who inhabited Central Puget Sound for thousands of years before non-Indian settlement. The Tribe’s name is derived from the native name for the prairie on which the Muckleshoot Reservation was established. Following the Reservation’s establishment in 1857, the Tribe and its members came to be known as Muckleshoot, rather than by the historic tribal names of their Duwamish and Upper Puyallup ancestors. Today, the United States recognizes the Muckleshoot Tribe as a tribal successor to the Duwamish and Upper Puyallup bands from which the Tribe’s membership descends.

Company Description

The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe is a federally recognized Indian tribe whose membership is composed of descendants of the Duwamish and Upper Puyallup people who inhabited Central Puget Sound for thousands of years before non-Indian settlement. The Tribe’s name is derived from the native name for the prairie on which the Muckleshoot Reservation was established. Following the Reservation’s establishment in 1857, the Tribe and its members came to be known as Muckleshoot, rather than by the historic tribal names of their Duwamish and Upper Puyallup ancestors. Today, the United States recognizes the Muckleshoot Tribe as a tribal successor to the Duwamish and Upper Puyallup bands from which the Tribe’s membership descends.

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