Paralegal (Land Specialist) en Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, WI

About the Department

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION:  Paralegal (Land Specialist)

LOCATION:  Red Cliff Tribal Court House

SALARY:  $25.00 - $30.00/hr. negotiable, depending upon qualifications

SUPERVISOR(S): Tribal Attorney

THIS IS A REGULAR, FULL-TIME, NON-EXEMPT POSITION

JOB SUMMARY:  The primary responsibility will be managing the tribe’s land lease process, land acquisitions, fee-to-trust applications, rights-of-way, land records, title research, and environmental stewardship of tribal lands.  

Position Duties

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

1. The Land Specialist will serve as the Tribe’s liaison between applicants for land-related transactions and the Bureau of Indian Affairs pursuant to Chapter 18 of the Red Cliff Code of Laws.  
2. The Land Specialist also serves as the Floodplains Administrator pursuant to Chapter 55, RCCL.  
3. You will process and actively manage applications for land leases, right-of-way, floodplains permits, and fee-to-trust transactions.  
4. The Land Specialist is supervised by the Tribal Attorney and reports to the Tribal Council.  
5. Duties include maintaining an inventory of tribal lands available for residential leasing, processing all land lease applications, recommending selection of lease tenants, managing rights-of-way applications, responding to land-related information requests, drafting and enforcing lease agreements, maintaining land-related files, researching title issues, managing tribal land acquisitions and fee-to-trust transfers, and assisting in environmental stewardship administering the floodplains development permitting process. 
6. The Land Specialist regularly appears before Tribal Council to present and report upon acquisitions, applications for leases, rights-of-way, and fee-to-trust transfers. 
7. You may be also asked to provide legal research requested by the Tribe; draft resolutions, proposed ordinances and amendments; maintain files; and perform other duties as assigned. 
8. You will work closely with BIA staff to coordinate federal approval of tribal land-related transactions and other land management issues.

SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY: None

Minimum Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE: Tribal government, tribal and federal regulations governing land leasing, rights-of-way, fee-to-trust transactions, land title and records management, and FEMA floodplains management systems.

QUALIFICATIONS:  

1. High School diploma or equivalency required.  
2. Applicant must have some post-secondary education or work experience in this field or a related field. 
3. At least one year of related experience in processing tribal land acquisitions, land leases, fee-to-trust transactions, and right-of-way grants required.  
4. Relevant certified paralegal training preferred.  
5. Prefer certification and experience with BIA Trust Asset Accounting Management System (TAAMS), or complete TAAMS certification training within one year of hire.  
6. Prefer knowledge and experience with floodplains development regulation.  
7. A valid driver’s license, vehicle, and auto insurance and maintain driver’s eligibility as a condition of employment.   
8. Must have a demonstrated competence in identifying land-related legal issues and have working knowledge of tribal land management procedures.  
9. Ability to adapt to changing legal environment and handle multiple priorities.  
10. Excellent analytical skills with a keen eye for technical detail.  
11. Ability to clearly and effectively communicate complex legal and technical information, both in writing and orally in public.  

Other Qualifications

PERSONAL CONTACTS:  Daily contact with legal staff, community members, planning/zoning and other tribal staff, tribal government officials, and other government staff.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Occasional bending and lifting may be required.  Ability to traverse uneven terrain during site inspections.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Primarily an office position but requires occasional site visits within the reservation as needed.  Attendance at Tribal Council meetings after business hours is required as needed.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: Occasional local travel required within reservation, to the BIA-Great Lakes Agency (Ashland, WI), and the Register of Deeds Office (Washburn, WI), as needed.  Occasional out-of-town auto and air travel required to attend meetings and trainings, as needed.

BEHAVIOR AND ATTITUDE:  The vision, goals and objectives of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa requires that the employee performs in both a professional and personable manner.  The manner in which the employee relates to fellow employees, customers and visitors is considered parallel in importance to technical knowledge and ability.  Respect and consideration given to the dignity of each customer, visitor and fellow employee is a requisite of successful job performance. Any behavior or attitude that tarnishes the name or image of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa will be subject to immediate disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Indian preference will be applied in the case of equally qualified applicants, but all qualified applicants will be considered.

This job description is subject to change at employer’s discretion, after consultation with the employee.

APPLICATION SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS: The following items are required for this position:

1. Completed Tribal Application, to include work history and references, available on the Tribal website.
2. Tribal Background Investigation Disclosure; available on the Tribal website.
3. Consent to Release Liability and Reference Information Form; available on the Tribal website.
4. Resume, required; cover letter, optional.
5. Post-secondary transcripts or certifications; if applicable.

Please download the forms from the links below.  Complete the forms and save them.  Then, please upload and attach the forms as "other" attachments with your application. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa

Human Resources Department

88455 Pike Road

Bayfield, WI  54814

www.redcliff-nsn.gov

[email protected]

(715)779-3700 

The Red Cliff Tribal Council has a Drug Free Work Place Policy and adheres to the intent of the Drug Free Work Place Act.  All new hires are subject to a drug test prior to starting.

All applicants for employment with the Red Cliff Tribe will be subject to the background investigation and other requirements of RCCL Chapter 43, and are under a continuing obligation to supplement this application for employment with information concerning any convictions that occur after commencement of employment with the Tribe.