Child Welfare Attorney
Job description
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Child Welfare Attorney
INFORMATION
Job Class: Legal Professional
Department: Office of the President
Type of Position: Exempt
Location of Work: Alaska
Covered Position: Yes
Salary Grade(s): 14/15
Prepared by: M. Soboleff/J. Wise
Hours of Work: M-F, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Employment Category: Regular, Full-Time
Effective Date: 11.01.2021
PURPOSE
The attorney will provide civil legal representation to Tlingit & Haida on child welfare cases and issues. The incumbent’s primary responsibility is to advise the Tribal Family & 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
- Provide effective consultation and legal advice to the Tribe relating to the ICWA and child welfare matters
- Responsible for preparation and filing of legal briefs, motions, petitions, orders, etc., as needed in child welfare hearings
- Responsible for preparing and presenting legal arguments in court
- Responsible for trial preparation in contested child dependency cases, including identification of expert witnesses and preparation for eliciting their testimony
- Responsible for on-going consultation with caseworker(s) in legal and court procedures, and to coordinate service delivery and case planning
- Consult and advise staff on the position to be taken by the Tribe individual child welfare cases
- Consult with volunteer or staff attorney on child welfare matters
- Provide orientation and training to Child Welfare team on the application of the Indian Child Welfare Act
- Track appellate level ICWA cases within Alaska and nationwide, monitor decisions that may affect tribal families
- Appear in tribal court and state court on behalf of the Tribe
- Track potential problems (structural, staffing, policy) and provide suggestions for ways of addressing such problems
- Participate in Child Welfare staff meetings, all-staff meetings, and case review and screenings meetings
- Ensure compliance with all relevant ethical rules and considerations
- Maintain case files
- Prepare reports for funding agency, as requested
- Participate in appropriate continuing legal education training
DECISION MAKING AUTHORITY
Spending Authority: N/A
Other Authority: N/A
NECESSARY SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
- Knowledge of and experience with Federal Indian Child Welfare Act, its significance, history, and implications.
- Experience in child dependency law
- Knowledge of the Alaska state statutes and regulations, pertaining to child welfare and dependency law
- Cultural sensitivity regarding American Indians/Alaska Natives
- Excellent written communication skills
- Court experience and knowledge of family law and other areas of law relevant to needs of Program’s service population
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (education, experience, skills)
- Juris Doctorate degree
- A member of the Alaska State Bar in good standing
- Valid Driver’s License
- Must satisfactorily pass background check
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS (education, experience, skills)
- Two years previous experience and/or equivalent training involving ICWA
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.
- All employment at Tlingit & Haida is “at will”. This means that the employee or Tlingit & 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 & Haida is a no tolerance workplace. All regular employees may be required to pass a pre-employment and subsequent random drug and alcohol screening to be eligible for and maintain employment.
- Tlingit & 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 & Haida.
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