NATIONAL
INDIAN CHILD WELFARE ASSOCIATION
POSITION TITLE: Government Affairs Staff
Attorney
SALARY RANGE: $45,000 to $65,000 Levels I to III
CLASSIFICATION:
Program, regular, full-time, exempt
SUPERVISOR: Director of Government Affairs
and Advocacy
CLOSING: October 16, 2015
RESPONSIBILITIES: The government affairs
staff attorney of the National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA) is
responsible for assisting American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN)
communities, children, and families in their efforts to improve public policy
at all levels to support effective services for and the general well-being of
AI/AN children and families. The following specific responsibilities must be
carried out:
• Ensures that tribal leaders and programs, policymakers, federal
and state agencies, partner organizations, funders, NICWA staff, the NICWA
board of directors, NICWA members, and others receive accurate, timely and
helpful information regarding the needs of AI/AN children and families; the
impact of policies and litigation on AI/AN children, families, and programs;
and recommendations for action that will facilitate the development of more
effective, appropriate, impactful policy
• Ensures that policy and community
development efforts are driven by and responsive to the communities and
entities that NICWA serves
• Promotes community and policymaker awareness of
public policy developments related to AI/AN child, family, and service issues
through the development and provision of written materials and presentations,
and the use of other communication vehicles, such as telephone, electronic
communications, e-mail, NICWA website postings, and webinars
• Effectively
plans and coordinates efforts to promote enhanced policy development that
include NICWA constituents and partner agencies in a timely manner that
maximizes impact
DUTIES
1. Tracks and analyzes legislative, administrative, and funding policies that
impact AI/AN children, families, and communities. Develops, in coordination
with the government affairs and advocacy director, NICWA’s position and
response to these policies.
2. Proactively tracks appellate-level ICWA cases
across the states. Analyzes these cases for patterns, provides technical
support to attorneys and social service providers, and works closely with NICWA
government affairs and communications staff to strategize appropriate legal and
media responses, which may include filing amicus curiae briefs on behalf of
NICWA and partners, as appropriate
3. Develops and maintains positive
professional relationships with national and regional intertribal
organizations, mainstream child welfare advocacy organizations, partners, key
stakeholders, and constituents. Coordinates these entities’ effective and
unified responses to policies and litigation that impact AI/AN children,
families, and communities.
4. Responds to request for information from
constituents, child welfare professionals and attorneys seeking resources and
information on the application of ICWA in child welfare cases and advises
non-attorney staff to prevent unlawful practice of law and unnecessary
liability risks
5. Coordinates, develops, and disseminates, in collaboration
with NICWA government affairs and communications staff, accurate and
appropriate public policy information in a timely manner (written and oral) for
members, constituents, partners, key stakeholders, and policymakers.
6.
Develops and makes presentations, including recommendations when appropriate,
to constituents, partners, key stakeholders, and policymakers in an effective,
concise, and professional manner on issues related to policies and litigation
that impact AI/AN children and families
7. Develops and provides training and
technical assistance related to tribal governance and program capacity
(including assistance on drafting tribal codes, program policies and
procedures, court rules, intergovernmental and interagency agreements, and
other program and policy issues) to tribal communities as required.
8. Develops
and provides training to help constituents understand federal laws that impact
AI/AN children and families (such as ICWA) and that support tribal child
welfare and children’s mental health programs (such as tribal Title IV-E) as
required.
9. Develops and provides training and technical assistance to
federal, state, and private agencies related to effective service provision to
AI/AN children and families, and the creation and maintenance of effective
relationships with tribal governments and urban Indian communities.
10.
Provides staffing for the NICWA Board of Directors and its Public Policy
Committee, including attending board meetings, planning conference calls and
meetings, responding to board requests, preparing public policy materials for
the board, periodically presenting policy information to the board, incorporating
board feedback into program planning, and actively supporting the board’s
engagement in NICWA government affairs work.
11. Effectively collaborates with
NICWA government affairs, development, and fiscal staff to create funding
proposals and budgets for grants and contracts. Effectively manages program
grants and contracts using NICWA program management standards and principles of
sound fiscal management, to ensure the services and deliverables are met or
exceeded in a timely manner.
12. Performs other duties as assigned, such as
representing government affairs on various NICWA teams and committees, and
providing support to other NICWA program functions.
QUALIFICATIONS
1. Has a JD and at least 2 years of relevant work experience in state and/or
tribal child welfare systems; MSW or BSW preferred
2. Current Oregon State Bar
membership or ability to obtain admission shortly after hire
3. Has strong
knowledge of AI/AN culture, social service systems, including child welfare,
mental health, juvenile justice and relevant policy structures
4. Has knowledge
and direct experience working with the Indian Child Welfare Act, and is
familiar with its legal and practical applications, and the implications for
children, birth families, extended families, foster parents, and tribes
5. Has
strong organizational skills
6. Has ability to work in a team environment, both
in leadership and peer relationships
7. Has ability to meet with, solicit
cooperation of, and deal effectively with people in various arenas, e.g., legal
and legislative representatives, constituents, program directors, tribal
representatives, trainers, consultants, etc.
8. Has demonstrated skills in
negotiating, mediating, and consensus and coalition building between diverse
groups and individuals
9. Has demonstrated use of analytical, planning, and
administrative skills
10. Has strong technical writing skills
11. Has
demonstrated ability to communicate both orally and in writing in an effective,
professional, and timely manner
12. Can capably operate a variety of office
equipment, such as computer, photocopier, printer, etc.
13. Able to travel up
to 40% of work year and has a valid driver’s license
TO
APPLY
Email résumé, cover letter, writing sample (no more than 10 pages,
policy-related preferred), six references, and salary history to Sarah Hopper
at shopper@nicwa.org, fax to (503) 222-4007, or mail to NICWA, 5100 SW Macadam
Ave, #300, Portland, OR 97239. Open until October 16, 2015.
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