SENIOR PROTECTIVE SERVICES ATTORNEY

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The Senior Protective Services Attorney provides legal support and Community representation in child welfare,

juvenile offenders, adult in need of care matters, and Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) litigation on behalf of

and representing the Gila River Indian Community (Community) and Tribal Social Services (TSS). The primary

responsibilities in this role will be leading ICWA cases in state courts and handling more sophisticated cases in

GRIC Children’s Court and Community Court and will also provide supervision over the Protective Services

Attorneys.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

 Represent the Protective Services Office at meetings, court proceedings and other functions.

 Represent the Community in high profile cases, complex civil cases and other matters as assigned.

 Prepare for and attend hearings, case staffing’s, and trials related to crisis response, investigations, litigation

and casework.

 Main responsibilities will be state court child custody proceedings, as defined in the Indian Child Welfare Act

(ICWA), 25 U.S.C. § 1901 et seq. (1978), involving children who are enrolled or eligible for enrollment in

the Community, and other state court proceedings, and training other PSO Attorneys in regard to ICWA cases.

 Draft and review various legal pleadings, motions, discovery, documents, and correspondence necessary to

litigate Child In Need of Care including child support, Juvenile Offender, and Status Offender matters; in the

Community Court for Adult in Need of Care matters and mental health code commitments; and in state court

child custody proceedings, as defined in the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), 25 U.S.C. § 1901 et seq.

(1978), involving children who are enrolled or eligible for enrollment in the Community.

 Assist in mentoring and training PSO Attorneys in the law and court proceedings.

 Provide counsel and advice to Tribal Social Services as in-house counsel on substantive issues related to child

welfare, adult protective services, and other related matters. Will meet regularly with the ICWA team.

 Conduct legal research, analysis and document production related to the litigation of matters assigned to the

Protective Services Office.

 Assist with the development and maintenance of case files, calendars and databases.

 Assist in the development, revision and modification of the Community’s policies, laws, resolutions and

ordinances.