Job Summary
The Associate Tribal Attorney serves under the direct supervision, guidance, and oversight of the KIC Tribal Attorney.
In alignment with the Office of the Tribal Attorney's strategic legal priorities, the Associate Tribal Attorney assists in delivering comprehensive legal services that develop Tribal resources and infrastructure, defend and preserve Tribal Sovereignty, and expand Tribal self-sufficiency through the exercise of inherent sovereign rights.
This role offers a high degree of professional engagement and the opportunity to meaningfully shape the legal strategy of the Tribe in collaboration with the Tribal Attorney. The Associate Tribal Attorney works closely with the Tribal Council, Chief Executive Officer (CEO)/Tribal Administrator, Chief Finance Officer (CFO), department directors, and outside legal counsel on a wide range of matters affecting KIC and its citizens.
Job Duties & Responsibilities
Under the supervision, guidance, and assignment of the KIC Tribal Attorney, the Associate Tribal Attorney performs the following duties:
Tribal Governance and Council Support
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Advise the Tribal Council, CEO, CFO, and department directors on legal matters as assigned by the Tribal Attorney; complex or sensitive employment matters shall be escalated to the Tribal Attorney or outside counsel
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Draft and revise Tribal ordinances, resolutions, regulations, codes, policies, and procedures per the direction of Tribal Council and in support of the Tribal Attorney's legal program.
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Prepare legal memoranda, correspondence, and other legal instruments as assigned.
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Attend monthly Tribal Council meetings and special sessions, work sessions, and committee meetings where legal guidance may be sought — as directed by the Tribal Attorney.
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Track all legal issues KIC is involved in and maintain organized case and matter files, reporting regularly to the Tribal Attorney.
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Prepare monthly activity reports and other reports as assigned by the Tribal Attorney.• Maintain a professional presence in the community at all times and represent KIC positively in all interactions with Tribal citizens, government partners, and the public.
Contracts and Transactional Legal Work
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Review, draft, and negotiate contracts, agreements, leases, intergovernmental agreements, memoranda of understanding, and commercial transactions for KIC under the direction of the Tribal Attorney.
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Review and advise on independent contractor agreements, employment agreements, professional services contracts, and grant agreements including 638 contracts.
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Assist the Tribal Attorney in coordinating with outside legal counsel, including organizing documentation, tracking deadlines, and communicating under the Tribal Attorney’s direction.
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Negotiate contracts in collaboration with senior management under the supervision of the Tribal Attorney.
Federal Indian Law and Tribal Sovereignty
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Research and provide legal analysis on federal Indian law, Alaska Native law, and issues of Tribal sovereignty and self-governance in support of the Office of the Tribal Attorney's strategic priorities.
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Assist the Tribal Attorney with land-into-trust acquisitions, fee-to-trust applications, related federal administrative processes, etc.
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Support advocacy efforts related to ISDEAA/P.L. 93-638 contracting, Tribal self-governance compacts, and federal funding mechanisms.
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Monitor federal and state legislation, regulatory changes, and court decisions affecting the Tribe and brief the Tribal Attorney and Tribal leadership accordingly.
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Assist the Tribal Attorney with legal strategy related to expansion of Tribal jurisdiction, development of Tribal infrastructure, and advancement of KIC's economic development goals.
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Work with advocacy efforts at the local, state and national levels on legislation affecting the Tribe's interests, as assigned by the Tribal Attorney.
Litigation and Administrative Proceedings
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Assist the Tribal Attorney with litigation strategy, case preparation, motions practice, and legal research.
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Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, and other litigation documents as assigned.
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Coordinate with outside litigation counsel on assigned matters and provide support including document review, research, and case summaries.
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Represent KIC in hearings before state and federal agencies on matters affecting the Tribe, as directed by the Tribal Attorney.
Departmental Legal Services
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Provide day-to-day legal guidance to KIC departments — including Health, Housing, Social Services, Education, Cultural Resources, Finance, Human Resources, Tribal Planning & Development — under the direction and oversight of the Tribal Attorney.
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Advise on employment law matters including personnel policies, disciplinary actions, and compliance with Tribal law and federal employment laws applicable to Tribal employers.
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Provide legal guidance on HIPAA, HITECH, and other federal privacy laws applicable to Tribal health programs.
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Advise on Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) matters in collaboration with relevant Tribal departments.
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Advise on healthcare law, Tribal housing programs, education law, and public benefit programs as they apply to KIC's operations.
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Assist in the development of Tribal Court systems, Tribal Public Safety, and Tribal Victim Services infrastructure as directed by the Tribal Attorney.
Natural Resources, Cultural Resources, and Environmental Law
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Advise on subsistence rights, fisheries, wildlife, natural resource management, and cultural resource protection matters relevant to KIC.
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Support environmental review processes, environmental compliance, and permitting matters affecting Tribal lands or resources.
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Assist the Tribal Attorney with advocacy for Indigenous food sovereignty and related policy matters.
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Other related duties as assigned
Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
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Strong understanding and sensitivity to American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) Tribal culture and lifestyle, working effectively with AI/AN populations.
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Excellent written and oral communication skills, including legal research and writing.
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Strong desire and demonstrated ability to support and advocate for Tribal rights and sovereignty.
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Strong analytical, negotiation and critical thinking skills; ability to exercise sound judgment and work independently under the Tribal Attorney's direction.
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Ability to balance competing priorities, manage a varied workload, and meet deadlines in a fast- paced environment.
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Knowledge of federal Indian law, Tribal sovereignty, and the legal and political framework of Tribal governments.
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Familiarity with laws applicable to Alaska Native tribes (e.g., ISDEAA, ICWA, VAWA, HIPAA).
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Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills; ability to work effectively with Alaska Native and American Indian populations with strong understanding and sensitivity to Tribal culture
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Ability to communicate complex legal concepts to Tribal Council, department directors, Tribal citizens and lay audiences.
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Proficiency with legal research tools (Tribal Codes & Sources, LexisNexis/Westlaw, etc.) and standard office computers and software.
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Skills in operating personal computers using a variety of computer software.
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Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with management, coworkers, and outside contacts; Ability to work independently as well as with teams.
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Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and comply with applicable federal and tribal privacy laws and KIC policy (HIPAA, HITECH, etc.).
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Ability to learn and apply program/agency operating policies and procedures.
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Ability to manage multiple priorities and tasks concurrently and meet deadlines.
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Ability to work independently as well as with teams.
Working Conditions
The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.
While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and/or sit. The employee is occasionally required to walk, sit, climb, or balance. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception. The noise level in the work environment is usually average. Occasionally required to attend evening and weekend events and meetings.
KIC Core Competencies
Cultural Competency: To be respectful and responsive to the health beliefs, practices, and cultural and linguistic needs of KIC Tribal Members. Developing cultural competence is an evolving, dynamic process that takes time and occurs along a continuum.
Uphold KIC Values: To make decisions and behave in a manner consistent with KIC Workplace Values of Trust, Teamwork, Respect, and Accountability, as well as Southeast Traditional Tribal Values “Our Way of Life”.
Commitment: To serve Tribal Members and set a high standard for yourself in your performance; strive for results and success; convey a sense of urgency and bring issues to closure; and stay persistent despite obstacles and opposition.
Customer Service: Meet/exceed the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; identify, understand, and monitor the needs of both internal and external customers; always talk and act with customers in mind; and recognize working colleagues as customers.
Effective Communication: Ensure important information is passed to those who need to know; convey necessary information with respect, clearly and effectively orally or in writing
Responsiveness and Accountability: Demonstrate a high level of conscientiousness; hold oneself personally responsible for one's own work; and do the required fair share of work.
Minimum Qualifications (Education & Experience)
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Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
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Minimum of one (1) year of post-bar experience as a practicing attorney, OR a J.D. with demonstrated substantive legal experience in federal Indian law, Tribal governance, or Alaska Native law through law school clinics, judicial clerkships, legal fellowships, or legal work in a Tribal Organization.
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A combination of relevant experience, education, and training may be considered as a substitute of the required minimum experience.
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A combination of relevant experience, education, and training may substitute for education and experience requirements on a year-for-year basis.
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Demonstrated commitment to Indigenous community service and cultural sensitivity.
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Licensed to practice law by the Alaska State Bar Association OR admitted to practice in another U.S. jurisdiction and eligible for an Alaska Bar Rule 44 supervised practice authorization, which will be accepted on a provisional basis. Full bar admission must be obtained within twelve (12) months of hire date as a condition of continued employment. An attorney practicing under Rule 44 must be directly supervised by a licensed attorney for the duration of the provisional period. Bar membership in good standing must be maintained throughout employment.
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Proof of valid driver's license with acceptable driving record.
Preferred Qualifications (Education & Experience)
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Three (3) years of experience as in-house general counsel to Tribal governments or comparable experience at a law firm or working for the federal or State government.
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Experience with grant writing and federal grant administration.
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Experience in community clinic preferred and a strong commitment to multi-disciplinary teamwork.
Conditions of Hire
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May be required to possess and maintain a valid driver's license or capable of obtaining one, as well as be insurable by KIC’s company insurance.
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KIC is a Drug-Free Workplace. All employees must adhere to KIC drug and alcohol policies and procedures to ensure a safe workplace. Employees must pass a pre-employment and subsequent random and/or for-cause drug and alcohol screening to be eligible for and maintain employment.
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KIC is potentially subject to several laws that require a fingerprint-based criminal history check, including the P.L. 101-630 Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Protection Act (ICPA) and State of Alaska Barrier Crimes Act; all employment offers in the "covered" classification are conditional until KIC has received a criminal background check verifying eligibility to work in these programs.
