Staff Attorney 2 - Indian Child Welfare

Company: Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
Location: Oklahoma City
Posted on: August 7, 2022

Job Description:

Staff Attorney 2 - Indian Child Welfare

Description

Job Summary: The Staff Attorney II - Indian Child Welfare (ICW) works within the Government-Legal Department on issues concerning or affecting tribal sovereignty and the exercise of tribal jurisdiction over Indian child welfare for the Choctaw Nation. Duties may include representing the Nation primarily in state court proceedings involving Choctaw children and youth and other staff attorney duties as assigned.

Primary Tasks:

• Represent the Choctaw Nation in tribal, federal, and primarily state forums by evaluating and monitoring child welfare cases to ensure that federal and state Indian Child Welfare laws are followed.
• Complete legal research and writing necessary for the preparation of complaints, petitions, motions, pleadings, and other court documents, and follow up on all assigned cases.
• Prepare cases for shelter care hearings and dependency trials by reviewing Child Protective Services reports, court filings and discovery and consulting with Tribal and state social workers.
• Manage a large caseload which requires the timely preparation for court.
• Participate in Choctaw Children and Family Services Consultation Teams, staff meetings, Tribal Schools and Health meetings, and participate in case-planning meetings with Children and Family Services regarding CPS investigations, dependencies, and permanency of children in care as needed/requested.
• Assist in development of new and amended codes, resolutions, forms, policies and procedures, and other documents, working with other departments, staff attorneys, and General Council, as required.
• Maintain case and research files according to established office systems and follow general office procedures.
• Provide training on the ICWA and related ICW matters to Children and Family Services Staff, other associates within the Nation including leadership, Judges and court staff, Tribal Council, and other attorneys as requested.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned.
  MINIMUM
  

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school and member in good standing of the Oklahoma Bar Association or other state bar association.
• Basic legal knowledge in family law, the Indian Child Welfare Act, and Federal Indian law.
• Litigation Experience.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage a large caseload.
• Member in good standing of the Choctaw Nation Bar Association or able to become a member within the first 90 days of employment.
• 5 years' attorney experience.
  TARGET
  
  • Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school and a member in good standing of the Oklahoma Bar Association or other state bar association.
  • Experience with the Indian Child Welfare Act and ICW matters in state and tribal courts.
  • 5 years of litigation experience (previous ICW experience preferred).
  • Excellent communication skills.
  • Knowledge and understanding of the Choctaw Nation, the community, and its people, including traditions and customs, and willingness to learn about the Choctaw Nation and culture.
  • Excellent legal research skills, and the ability to prepare legal memoranda, pleadings, and other documents per tribal, federal, and state court rules and laws.
  • Excellent judgment and decision-making capabilities.
    #LI-DNI
    
    keywords: law - lawyer - attorney - legal
    
    Job Legal
    
    Primary Location OK-Durant
    
    Work Locations Durant HQ 1802 Chukka Hina Durant 74701
    
    Organization Legal
    
    Schedule Regular
    
    Full-time
    
    Day Job
    
    Job Posting 07/07/2022, 9:48:59 AM
    
    Req ID: 22008150 Associated topics: community and in home participating, community participating, community service, coordinator, liasion, minister, personalized support, representative, school, vocational support/training

Keywords: Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City , Staff Attorney 2 - Indian Child Welfare, Other , Oklahoma City, Oklahoma