LOCATION: Lower Elwha Klallam Justice Center; office site to be determined.

SUPERVISOR: Executive Director. WORK SCHEDULE: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

SALARY LEVEL: To be determined, depending on experience.

POSITION STATUS: Regular, fulltime, with benefits.

OPENING DATE: January 23, 2023

CLOSING DATE: February 17, 2023

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Represent defendants in adult criminal cases.
•  Represent youth in delinquency and status offense cases.
•  Represent parents or other legal custodians in child dependency cases.
•  Represent Elwha Tribal members in contested traffic, housing, and civil regulatory cases.
•  Advise clients on rights and responsibilities, choices and consequences; maintain contact with clients; communicate effectively; respond promptly to questions and messages.
•  Meet with clients in person as necessary, sometimes at off-Reservation locations such as lockup facilities; maintain regular office hours at locations on both the Lower and Upper Reservation.
•  Perform case preparation, including review of discovery materials, investigation, interview of clients and witnesses, evaluation of evidence, legal research, and development of case strategy.
• Prepare written pleadings, motions, legal memoranda and briefs, proposed orders, proposed jury instructions, sentencing recommendations, appellate notices and briefs, and other legal documents and forms as appropriate.
•  Appear and argue cases in the Lower Elwha Tribal Court at all stages of proceedings, including pre-trial, trial, post-trial, and appeal.
•  Communicate, coordinate, and negotiate with the Tribal Prosecutor and with counsel simultaneously representing the Public Defender’s clients in other jurisdictions.
• Assist clients to comply with court orders and to obtain assessments and services related to drug/alcohol, mental health, domestic violence, and other psychosocial issues.
• Assist in improving the Tribe’s justice system, including development of codes and court rules, participation in meetings and trainings, and preparation and implementation of grants.
•  Maintain 24-hour availability to address urgent matters.
•  Attend continuing legal education programs, seminars, and trainings, as necessary to perform the duties of Public Defender and to maintain professional licensing.
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to all professional and ethical standards required by the Washington State Bar Association and any other bar associations of which the Public Defender is a member.
•  Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS, AND ATTRIBUTES: Required:

•  Active member in good standing of the Washington State Bar Association.
•  Knowledge of tribal, state, and federal law relevant to proceedings in the Lower Elwha Tribal Court.
•  Willingness to learn about and to respect the culture and traditions of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe.
•  Ability to employ tact, courtesy, positivity, flexibility, and healthy perspective in the workplace.
•  Ability to maintain professionalism while interacting with a wide variety of people in a
•  Fast-paced, emotionally-charged, crisis-oriented environment.
•  Ability to pass pre-employment UA drug/alcohol screening and comply with drug-free workplace policy thereafter, subject to random testing.
•  Ability to pass pre-employment background check demonstrating no felony conviction in tribal, state, or federal court, and no misdemeanor conviction within one year of hire.
•  Must be licensed driver with private, insured vehicle for use during workday. Preferred:
•  Experience working in Indian Country, particularly in a tribal legal system.
•  Experience working in criminal law and in child dependency matters.
•  Experience in negotiation and mediation, alternative dispute resolution, and problem-solving courts.
•  Knowledge of the culture and traditions of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe.

For more information, click here.