NOTICE OF JOB VACANCY POSITION DESCRIPTION

DEPARTMENT: Administration

JOB TITLE: General Counsel

POSITIONS STATUS: Regular Full Time

EXEMPT STATUS: Exempt

PAY SCALE GRADE 21, 22, 23

REPORTS TO: President

 

SUMMARY OF JOB RESPONSIBILITES:

  1. Provide advice and legal services to Kawerak administration, board and programs in areas such as federal Indian law, PL 93-638 compacting and contracting and negotiations, employment, corporate and administrative law and related matters routinely associated with in-house counsel duties for an Alaska Native non-profit organization.
  2. Draft Kawerak position papers, testimony, Board resolutions and comments on proposed regulations, legislation appropriations and similar matters.
  3. Represent Kawerak in administrative proceedings, negotiations, and litigation when outside counsel is not used, as necessary and on a time-available basis. Act as liaison with outside counsel when used.
  4. In close consultation with the President and the Chief Financial Officer, assist in compact/contract negotiations and prepare necessary compact/contract documents and reports. Advise administration on the allocation and use of federal funds, including the provision of funds to Kawerak’s member tribes.
  5. Draft and review Kawerak contracts and other agreements, including compact/contract documents and reports. Draft and review internal policies and procedures and other internal documents.
  6. Provide general advice and legal services to the region's tribes in areas such as tribal governance and elections, federal Indian law, contracts, employment and related matters routinely associated with tribal operations.
  7. Provide advice and legal services to the region's tribes and to Kawerak program staff regarding the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). On a time-available basis, represent tribes in state ICWA proceedings and assist Kawerak program staff with on-going ICWA proceedings.
  8. Provide advice and legal services to the region's tribes and to Kawerak program staff regarding development and implementation of tribal justice systems, and tribal laws and policies.
  9. On a time available basis and as directed by the President, advocate for tribal sovereignty and self-determination at the local, state and national level, and assist and advise Kawerak administration and program staff and tribal governments in developing programs which expand tribal sovereignty and self-determination and implement the Kawerak vision statement.
  10. Supervise staff employed by Kawerak who are assigned to work under the direction of the General Counsel.
  11. Other duties as assigned by the President.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

  1. Law degree from accredited law school. Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Alaska, or able to become licensed in Alaska within six months of employment.
  2. Two years related experience as an attorney. Working knowledge of Alaska Native legal issues, Construction Law/Contracts, Employment Law, Tribal/Native issues (ICWA, Tribal Jurisdiction), Corporate in house (policy drafting, resolutions) preferred. Work in directly related field may substitute for the two years as an attorney, on a two-years-for-one basis.
  3. Must possess strong research, writing, verbal communication and organizational skills.
  4. Must be dependable, self-motivated, and able to work with minimum supervision.
  5. Must possess basic knowledge and skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, Windows and internet.
  6. Must be able to work and communicate in multi-cultural setting.
  7. Must be willing to travel extensively within and outside the Bering Strait region.

 

Native Preference in hiring under PL 93-638. Approved (11/23/09)

Contact Myra Stotts, HR Specialist for an application and more information regarding this position. Completed applications must be received no later than by 5:00 pm on date of deadline. Kawerak, Inc. Human Resources Department • PO Box 948 • 500 Street • Nome, AK 99762 • (907) 443-5231 • Fax (907) 443-4443 • E-mail: personnel@kawerak.org