Managing Attorney

ALASKA NATIVE JUSTICE CENTER

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title:        Managing Attorney

Department:  Alaska Native Justice Center (ANJC)

Reports To:    Chief Operations Officer

Supervises:     Attorneys, Paralegals and related staff

FLSA Status:  Exempt

Pay Grade:      E8

Job Type:        Regular, Full-Time

AKBCU:           No             ICPA: No

General Functions:

The Managing Attorney assists the COO in planning and developing ANJC’s service delivery system. Provide leadership, manage day-to-day office operations, and improve administrative systems, policies, and processes to facilitate responsive staff support and service. Oversee and actively further efforts at promoting a culture of inclusivity and belonging that embraces the contributions of all team members.  

Oversee and manage ANJC’s internal legal practice procedures and legal compliance efforts, including conflicts and ethics-related issues.

Our team: 1) represents Alaska Tribes in child welfare matters that implicate the Indian Child Welfare Act; 2) provides technical assistance and training to tribal justice systems; and 3) provides civil legal services to primarily Alaska Native/American Indian victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, dating violence and stalking.

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Ensure the quantity and quality of the legal work and the effective, efficient and high-quality representation of clients. 
• Collaborate with the COO and staff for the purpose of legal work management that includes mentoring and supervision, assistance and administration of legal work management systems, and grant and special project development and implementation.
• Office management and administration responsibilities include supervision of staff; ensuring that program policies and priorities are implemented; preparing any reports that are requested by COO; and participation in hiring staff.
• The Managing Attorney is a leadership role and will participate in internal compliance and development activities, as well as developing and maintaining external relationships and policy positions.
• Client development responsibilities include developing and maintaining effective relationships with Tribes and Alaska Native organizations, including all funding sources, and ensuring that ANJC pursues and secures meaningful opportunities to work with Tribes, Native organizations, and Native people.
• Collaborate with staff to ensure that knowledge about ANJC services is widely shared throughout the state. This includes designing and ensuring delivery of community education presentations, and relationship building. 
• Assist with implementing strategies that advance ANJC’s public policy objectives, including researching proposed legislation and regulations, and drafting consultation comments.
• Participate in budget, funding and planning meetings as needed.
• Carry an appropriately sized caseload concomitant with other duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the COO.  
• Limited travel to both rural and urban areas may be required.
• Perform other related duties as directed.

Job Specifications:

• Superior oral and written communication skills, to include the following: ability to write reports, correspondence, and the ability to effectively present information to groups and community partners.
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to monitor legislative and regulatory developments at the federal, state, and local levels, knowledge of legislative and regulatory practices.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Disciplined, with demonstrated organizational skills and the ability to work independently.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office suite, legal case management software and relevant computer programs. 
• Builds relationships across differences; proactively and positively works through conflict; remains engaged; adept at conflict resolution and mediation techniques.
• Makes difficult and different types of decisions using different styles and processes.
• Ensures regulatory compliance; fiscally accountable; navigates in areas of uncertainty; minimizes potential negative impacts including financial, legal, human resources.
• Retains and develops staff, including into leadership roles; grow people to handle day-to-day operations; develop systems and processes to support organization’s sustainability
• Displays sound emotional intelligence; able to generalize, calm demeanor; adaptable, self-reflective/aware; recognizes impact on others; responsive to needs of others.
• Leads others; works effectively within a team; maintains team morale and performance.
• Manages internal/external relationships professionally; loyal and respectful. 

Minimum Core Competencies: Respectful Leadership, Professionalism, Emotional Intelligence, Problem Solving/Critical Thinking, Communication Skills 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor degree and active membership in the Alaska Bar Association.
• 10 years of experience in the practice of law, including experience and knowledge in Alaska Native legal issues, Indian Child Welfare Act and Child in Need of Aid.
• Continued employment is contingent upon receipt of a satisfactory report from a state and federal background check.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience with legislative process.
• Experience in ANCSA/Indian law, P.L. 93-638 and P.L. 102-477.
• Knowledge of tribal/state/federal relations.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the social, health, educational, training, and cultural needs of the Alaska Native and American Indian community.

Physical Requirements: 

NATIVE PREFERENCE STATEMENT: Pursuant to the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975 (PL 93-638) and as further guided by CITC’s Native Preference Policy 6.120, CITC maintains preference in all phases of employment for Alaska Native, American Indian (AN/AI) and Native Hawaiian people, including direct lineal descendants and foster or traditionally adopted children. Also included is the non-Native head of household members for Native families, which provides foster or traditionally adopted Native children.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by incumbents within this job.  It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications and working conditions required of employees assigned to this job.  Management has sole discretion to add or modify duties of the job and to designate other functions as essential at any time.  This job description is not an employment agreement or contract.