POSITION DESCRIPTION
Child Welfare Attorney
INFORMATION
Job Class: Legal Professional
Department: Office of the President
Type of Position: Non-Exempt
Location of Work: Alaska
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 & 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.
CONDITIONS OF HIRE:
- 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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