Squaxin Island Tribe - Staff Attorney en Squaxin Island Tribe

Department:  Legal Department

Reports To:  Director of the Legal Department

FLSA Status:  Exempt

TS Range: DOQ

Approved By/Date:   Nathan Schreiner, September 30, 2025

Opening Date: October 2, 2025

Closing Date: When filled. Review of applications will begin October 15, 2025. 

NATURE OF PRACTICE: The Legal Department advises and represents the Squaxin Island Tribe in Federal, Squaxin Island and State courts and in administrative proceedings.  The Department’s practice includes legal advice; document drafting and collaboration with a wide range of Squaxin Island policy committees, departments and entities; contract preparation and review; drafting ordinances; economic development; intergovernmental issues; treaty hunting and fishing rights and management; reservation lands governance and management; water rights; environmental protection; Indian gaming; and housing and utilities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each of the essential duties and responsibilities and meet the minimum education and experience qualifications described below. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability required for a Staff Attorney. It does not restrict the Director’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities for this job at any time. The successful candidate must be able to comply with the Squaxin Island Tribe’s employment policies, including pre-employment drug screening. 

Candidate must have graduated from an accredited law school; be licensed to practice in Washington or have the ability to become licensed through reciprocity or be eligible for and register for the next scheduled Washington Bar Exam; must be able to be licensed to practice before the Squaxin Island Tribe’s courts within 90 days of hire; and must have a valid Washington State Driver’s License and be insurable per Tribal standards; have three or more years’ experience as a practicing attorney; have excellent written, oral, research and analytical skills; have strong interpersonal communication and negotiation skills; have the ability to thrive in an interdisciplinary and cross-cultural work environment; work well and bring flexibility to a fast-paced and dynamic work setting; enjoy and excel at creative problem-solving; have a demonstrated commitment to working with Native or other minority communities and/or restorative justice; and a commitment to reside on or near the Reservation (located near Olympia, Washington). 

Qualified applicants must have experience or demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following subject-matter areas: Indian Child Welfare; human resources; drafting and negotiating contracts; drafting statutes, policies and procedures; civil litigation, preferably in Federal Court; gaming regulation and/or operations; health care and/or social welfare programs; employment benefits; taxation; or Indian law, including protection of treaty rights.

The qualified applicant must be able to handle high pressure situations and have demonstrated experience handling confidential matters. The qualified applicant must have excellent organizational skills, independent thought, and strong research and writing skills.

The qualified applicant must be able to efficiently utilize and demonstrate proficiency with Microsoft Office and legal research tools.

The qualified applicant must have strong writing skills, demonstrated by a high-quality writing sample, 5 pages or more in length. Candidate will be evaluated based on skills, experience, temperament, and collegiality.

POSITION SUMMARY: Staff attorney in practice group of three attorneys. 

Approximately 40% of time will be devoted to Indian Child Welfare (ICWA) and related matters. Seeking a candidate with a demonstrated commitment to ICWA and child welfare related matters. Primary responsibility will be to serve the Tribe’s Department of Social and Health Services, particularly as related to planning, organizing and directing assigned ICW/Child Welfare, Youth, Truancy, Juvenile, and Vulnerable Adult civil cases within the Legal Department, and to serve as presenting officer for Tribe. 

Remaining 60% of time devoted to legal services covering a broad range of tribal government and federal Indian law issues as a member of the attorney staff. Principal areas of Tribal practice include general government infrastructure needs, real estate transactions, commercial transactions, zoning and land use, water rights, housing and utilities, environmental protection, Indian gaming, business transactions, employment matters and economic development. Seeking a candidate with willingness to work collaboratively with other staff attorneys as needed, including as aide to principal attorney in litigation and administrative hearings.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

1. Provides a full range of legal services on behalf of the Squaxin Island Tribe’s Legal Department. 
2. Prepares and reviews contracts and other documents.
3. Negotiates agreements on behalf of the Tribe.
4. Represents the Tribe in litigation and other administrative proceedings.
5. Drafts and revises Tribal ordinances and resolutions, policies and procedures. 
6. Conducts legal research concerning tribal, state and federal law.
7. Participates in planning and strategy sessions. 
8. Researches, evaluates, and analyzes laws, court decisions and authorities. 
9. Prepares and presents complaints, motions and other pleadings for civil proceedings (occasional criminal proceedings).
10. Prepares and maintains legal and administrative records and reports. 
11. Represents the Squaxin Island Tribe in the enforcement of ICW, Youth, Truancy and related codes in Tribal Court proceedings. Primarily acts as the ICW Presenting Officer.
12. Works closely with various Tribal Agencies in the preparation and presentation in court, of civil and occasional criminal cases involving ICW and Child Welfare cases.
13. Responsible for developing and maintaining cooperative and collaborative working relations with Tribal staff, staff from other tribal and state agencies, community members, parents and other relatives.
14. Responsible for understanding and applying rules in logical fashion the rules of  evidence, regulations and precedent. 
15. Cognizant of policies expressed by Tribal Council.
16. Responsible  for working effectively, efficiently, and with wide latitude for independent judgment and action, and remaining accountable to the Director. 
17. Responsible for understanding and applying sovereignty, aboriginal and treaty right issues as they relate to representing the Squaxin Island Tribe.
18. Responsible for working independently and managing a diverse and fluctuating case load.
19. Responsible for crafting well-thought, well-articulated writing.
20. Other duties as may be assigned.

SUPERVISED BY: Director of the Legal Department. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: There are no supervisory responsibilities with this position.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to write talking points, speeches and articles using original or innovative techniques or style. Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, public groups, courts, and/or boards of directors. 

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Washington (or able to obtain a license within 120 days of hire). Must be able to be licensed to practice before the Squaxin Island Tribe’s courts within 90 days of hire. Must have a valid Washington State Driver’s License and be insurable as per Tribal standards.

CONTINUED PERSONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Participate in applicable job-related trainings, including maintaining CLE requirements for state licensure. The Department funds tuition, travel, and per diem for job related CLE sessions. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is generally performed within an office environment with standard office equipment available. Work is generally sedentary in nature but may require standing and walking for up to 10% of the time. The working environment is generally favorable. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Lighting and temperature are adequate and there are no hazardous or unpleasant conditions caused by noise, dust, etc. Work may include highly stressful situations at times. The employee will regularly lift up to ten pounds and occasionally up to 25-50 pounds.  Requires the ability to operate a personal computer, multi-line telephone, and to use common electronic media. Requires the ability to read, write, communicate, and interpret information accurately in English.  Requires the ability to concentrate and consistently produce accurate work.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, reach with hands and arms, talk, and hear.  The job requires the ability to read and work at a computer with ease. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

DRUG FREE WORKPLACE: The successful candidate will be required to have a urinalysis for drug and alcohol screening in accordance with the Tribe’s Drug Free Workplace Policy.

NATIVE AMERICAN PREFERENCE: The Squaxin Island Tribe strives to be an equal opportunity employer dedicated to the policy of non-discrimination based on race, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, physical disability, veteran status or any other non-job-related factor. Among qualified applicants, the Tribe will give preference to a qualified Squaxin Island member then to a qualified native applicant. 

BACKGROUND CHECK: Some positions require candidate(s) to successfully pass a criminal background check prior to beginning employment, used solely for employment related purposes. 

SALARY AND BENEFITS: This is a salaried position that offers competitive compensation and benefits, including generous paid leave, health insurance, dental, vision, and disability, and a 401(k) plan. Salary to be negotiated based on experience.

APPLICATION: The Tribe would like to hire an attorney for this position as soon as possible. Applicants must submit letter of interest, including salary requirements, resume, supporting documents (certificates, degrees, licenses), three professional references, together with a writing sample (5 pages or more in length), and proof of native preference eligibility (Status Card or letter). 

TO APPLY: Submit application packets including a resume and cover letter on Paylocity through the Squaxin Island Tribe Career Opportunities website. Contact Human Resources for more information: 360-432-3865.